AACASA Support Package . On this page... . Who is the Package for? . What is in the Support Package? . When should I order it? . How to purchase the Package . Download the Package order form . Package Inquiries . Important Notes . Package Costs

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Copyright: photo included on this website with the permission of the children's parents - please do not copy.

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Who is the Support Package for?

The Support Package is for anyone adopting from an African country. However, please take particular notice of the following if you are seeking to adopt from an African country that is not Ethiopia...

At the moment (2006), the only African country that Australia has an agreement with is Ethiopia, but that may change in the future.

Parts of the Support Package are aimed at anyone adopting from Africa, and parts of the Support Package are aimed specifically at people adopting from Ethiopia..
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Therefore...

If you are adopting from an African country that is not Ethiopia then before you purchase the Support Package - contact the Package Coordinator

If you are adopting from Ethiopia, then this package is a MUST.

What is in the Support Package?

The kit...

• A three-part detailed and extensive guide for what you need to know when adopting from Ethiopia, this includes information on...
  • A "who is who" explanation of the program, the Ethiopian and Australian departments and contacts
  • Advice on what to do while you are waiting
  • A collection of Ethiopian recipes so you can start experimenting with making Ethiopian food
  • Step by step advice on what to do when your file leaves Australia
  • Advice on preparing for your child and being aware of both psychological and medical issues
  • Practical suggestions of how to maintain your child's culture
  • Detailed step-by-step information on what to do and plan for after allocation
  • Practical advice on what to pack, what to do about money and about organising your travel arrangements
  • Practical advice about what to expect and what to do when you arrive in Addis Ababa
  • Information on how to prepare for and what to do when meeting your child
  • Practical information about food, drink, getting around Addis, cultural customs and courtesies and shopping in Addis
  • Practical information about health, language and money issues while you're in Addis
  • Practical advice for when you are preparing to leave Addis, what to ensure you do on departure and on arrival in Australia.
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• Ethiopian Language CD so you can start learning some essential words, sentences and questions.
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• Ethiopian/English Phrase Book.
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• A membership card - that allows for cheaper courier facilities, accommodation and foster care
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• Provision of critical pre-paid courier slips needed by the Australian High Commission (Nairobi Kenya).
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• As pre-paid courier slips are difficult to purchase without an account, the package gets you around this problem.

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Services with the package...

• AACASA knows about you and you can be of help in carrying urgent aid i.e. a very ill baby needs special formula ASAP.
• Information is passed to Lakew by the package co-ordinator and acts as a back-up - just in case of problems.
• You can track your document and ensure they arrive if you have used the package courier facilities.
• You can ask questions about any aspect of the process of someone who is very up to date.
• You will be notified of important and critical changes which could otherwise hold up your adoption.
• You don't want to be outside the system, in case you need special help.
• You are fully supporting your support group.
• Any profit made goes to Koala House.
• If it is your second time through, you get all of the above and you set a good example for first timers.

So why would you adopt without the Package!!!!!

When should I order it?

We recommend that you purchased the package approximately 1 month before you are assessed as it will help you be better informed during the assessment process.

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If you want to know the latest you can buy it and receive your full savings then that depends on what couriering your department does. If your department does not do your couriering (e.g. Tasmania, ACT, Queensland) then order it at least 1 month before your file goes overseas so you can use the courier consignment slips and save on these. If your department does all your couriering (e.g. South Australia) then order before your allocation so you can pay the reduced foster care costs and have that critical pre-paid courier slip for immigration.

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Once again, we do recommend that you purchased the package at least 1 month before you are assessed so you can get the full benefit from it. As you will receive updates the through the newsletter and directly, you don't need to worry about your package being out of date.

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You will need to allow a minimum of 2 weeks delivery. Don't leave your order to the last minute. As with all AACASA role they are voluntary so you need to be pro-active, considerate and not leave things to the last minute.

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If your membership is not current, you can not purchase the package. If your membership is not current, your package membership is suspended until you are a current member again.

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Note about the domestic consignment slips...

The two domestic consignment slips are used to courier your application to and from the Ethiopian Consul in Melbourne (1 each way).

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The up to 4 International courier consignment slips are used to courier:

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1. your application to Lakew and Misrak in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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2. your child/children's immigration papers to the Australian High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya.

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3. your child/children's immigration medical from the Australian High Commission in Nairobi Kenya to Lakew and Misrak in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

They use to accept a cheque but now only accept a courier slip from Nairobi to Addis Ababa. Courier slips are difficult to purchase without an account.

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4. Children's Passports with Australian Visas from the Australian High Commission in Nairobi Kenya to Lakew and Misrak in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

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How to purchase the Package

1. First check that your membership for AACASA is current
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2. If you are not a current member of AACASA then renew your membership
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3. Download the Package Form (see below)
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4. Complete your details
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5. Attach a money order or cheque OR fill in your credit card details?
   
6. Post to

   AACASA Inc.

   PO Box 1319

   Milton Centre

   Milton Q 4064
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7. Wait patiently - you will receive your package in a few weeks..

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Download the Package order form

Download your Package Order Form as a HTML or as PDF

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If you have purchase or other Package Inquiries

For purchase inquires please contact Bruce (your friendly Package Co-ordinator) or your state representative.

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Important Notes

• As Package Members you are responsible for reading the Package Co-ordinators Report in every newsletter for updates to the program.
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• As Package Members you are responsible for keeping your AACASA membership current. If your AACASA membership is not current, your package membership is invalid until you are a current member again.
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• As Package Members you are responsible for updating the package co-ordinator with any change of status i.e. when your file leaves for overseas, when you are allocated, your travel details, your concerns..

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Package Costs

Prices Revised April 2005.

## "For genuine hardship in meeting the cost of the package, subsidized packages are available at reduced prices on application to the Executive"

++ Credit Card Fees

$1.50 upto $149.00;

$2.50 $150-$349;

$4.00 $350.00-$499.00

$5 $500+

If your state/territory is not mentioned in the options above you will need to contact your State Department or AACASA State Representative for which option is best for you.

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