Food Budgets Around the World

Take a good look at the family size & diet of each country, and the availability & cost of what is eaten in one week.

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily

Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide

Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina (Sure hope most American families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food than this family.)

Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca

Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna

Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo

Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo

Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village

Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp

Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

Don't know about you, but right about now, I'm counting my blessings!

Updated Wait Times ... double-sigh

Our agency has updated the projected wait times:

• Infant Girl (under 12 months old): 3 - 6 months
• Court date: 2-3 months
• Adoption order granted to time of travel will vary

Our file went to ETH Nov 15, 2007. That means we can expect a referral from February 15 to May 15 2008 ... Assuming the worst (May), that means the court date to finalize the adoption should be completed by August 2008. Then, visas, medicals, etc ... these have been taking up to six months for some people (with the odd case even longer) -> which runs us into January 2009!

Ack.

Where *is* that chocolate ....?

African Children's Choir

The primary goal of the African Children’s Choir™ is to raise awareness of the need of destitute and orphaned children in Africa and to raise funds for continued development and support of the Choir’s relief and development programs. Once Choir members have completed a concert tour, they will return to their homelands with the support, care and education necessary for bettering their future and that of their brothers and sisters.

They are Africa’s future.

www.africanchildrenschoir.com