Mom/author spreads the word on Ethiopia

Working in South Korea for an agency that promotes child sponsorships, Stacy Bellward was drawn to the faces of Ethiopian children.

Years later, in 2004, she and her husband, Paul, adopted a baby girl, Samara, from that East African country, and a year after that, the couple, who now live in Brooklyn Park, gave birth to a daughter, Caleigh.

For the benefit of both children, "We were committed to teaching the culture of Ethiopia and incorporating it into our lives," Bellward said. "It shows pride in where a child is from."

They found few resources on the topic, though, and came up with the idea of putting together a picture dictionary of 75 words in Amharic, Ethiopia's official language. It turned out to be a hit at a local festival. "We realized that we were onto something," Bellward said.

Shortly thereafter, she got to work on other titles that cater to the Ethiopian adoptive community, at home and abroad. Her efforts grew into a joint business venture with her husband called Amharic Kids, which they run out of their Brooklyn Park home.

On Tuesday , Stacy Bellward will speak at the Brooklyn Park Library about their endeavors. "I'm really excited that we're able to work with the poor [in Ethiopia] and support them," she said. "It's a way for our family to give back to Ethiopia."

One children's book that Stacy wrote in 2008, entitled "Ethiopian Voices: Tsion's Life," won seven awards. Through words and photos, it captures the everyday life of an 11-year-old girl in the Ethiopian city of Addis Ababa. The nonfiction story touches on her relationships with family members and their livelihood. It also presents tidbits of Amharic vocabulary and culture.

To pull it off, she collaborated with a Norwegian photographer, Erlend Berge, who was temporarily based in Ethiopia. Berge tracked down Tsion, spending time with the family to get interviews and photos.

Next, Bellward published the work of another author, Linda Pettitt, whose book, "Yafi's Family: An Ethiopian Boy's Journey of Love, Loss, and Adoption," is a fictional tale but resonates with many children who are adopted from Ethiopia, Bellward said.

It starts with the birth of a child from Ethiopia, going through the child's adoption. The story opens up a conversation so children can ask questions. It helps them to "process in a healthy way the two parts of who they are, Ethiopian and American."

Local, global connections

From their online shop, the Bellwards also peddle all kinds of fair-trade handicrafts and toys that help support Ethiopia's developing economy, from a calendar with photos to coloring books and soccer balls.

She said she feels lucky to have such meaningful work. "We have so many relationships with the Ethiopian community and Ethiopians. It's a part of our everyday life. It's enriching to us all."

For those who live in the area, the couple helped found a group called Ethiopian Kids Community, which provides social and educational opportunities for adoptive families in the Twin Cities.

It's how Shoreview residents Bekah and Lawrence Backman, who recently adopted a 3-year-old girl named Genet from Ethiopia, came to know the Bellwards.