About Adopting From Ethiopia
Arise for Children is happy to be partnered with West Sands Adoption Agency to assist in the facilitations of adoptions of children from Ethiopia. While we work directly with our clients throughout the process, West Sands Adoption Agency represents our cases throughout the court process in Ethiopia. It is their license in country that we operate under and it is their staff that will assist our families during their stay in Ethiopia. All fees are disclosed at the beginning of the process and made payable to Arise for Children only.
Country Facts
Ethiopia is a beautiful country situated in the Northeastern part of Africa near the Red Sea. Also known as The Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a country rich in culture, history and national pride. Sometimes called,The Cradle of Humanity, legend has it that the Arc of the Covenant remains there today. Just smaller than the state of Alaska, Ethiopia boasts the source of the great African river, the Blue Nile. Ethiopia is among the 20 most populated countries in the world, 2nd most populous region in Africa, with a population of approximately 77 million. As well, it is one of the oldest countries in the world with a recorded history of over 3,000 years and was the home of the Queen of Sheba. Drought, Disease and seventeen years of civil war from 1974 until 1991, bankrupted the country and left millions of children orphaned and vulnerable.
What Can You Tell Me About the Children?
Ethiopian children are beautiful and usually quite affectionate and resilient given the culture in which they have been raised. Children waiting for placement are generally healthy though some may have special needs. Single, sibling groups and non-related children are available for adoption from infancy to 15 years of age. All children are tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis prior to being placed into families. Typical considerations for families adopting would include early malnutrition, grief and loss, unknown medical issues, some developmental delays, and language barriers. It is important to note that it is common to have little information at referral as well as inaccuracy regarding birth dates assigned.
Who Qualifies to Adopt?
Arise for Children will place children according to Ethiopian guidelines for adoptive families as well as the desires of our Ethiopian partnering organizations. Currently, we place children into two parent families with active Judea-Christian faiths. Parents must married for at least two years and no more than an average of 45 years older than their adoptive child. Parents must also agree to pre-adoptive training as well as submit an approved home study. Single mothers are limited by country guidelines and Arise for Children is unable to accept single parent applicants at this time. Families adjusting to major life events, such as a birth of a new child, are considered on a case by case basis for adoption approval.
Ethiopian Adoption Process
- Provide initial application for review.
- Receive preliminary approval into the program.
- Begin your home study with a licensed home study provider.
- Receive official acceptance into the program (Requires home study review)
- Make application for USCIS approval.
- Meet with Arise Staff for Dossier compilation.
- Send Complete Dossier for authentication and translation.
- Attend Parent Education Workshop “When Hope has a Name”
- Start your immunizations.
- Receive Referral. (Normally, within 3-9 months after Dossier submission)
- Receive Court Approval (2-6 months post referral)
- travel to Ethiopia for court
- Prepare final documents and discuss travel.
- Pick up your Child!!! (Normally, 6-8 weeks post court approval)
- Ususal length of stay is 5-7 days in country.
Ethiopian Adoption Costs
* Arise for Children collects the following fees directly. Parents should expect additional fees re: home study, visas for parents and child, immigration approval, immunizations, and travel.
* Application ($250)
* State Side Processing & Dossier Compilation ($4,500)
* Dossier Translation ($4,000)
* International Program Fee ($4,000)
* Orphanage & Child Care Fee ($2,500)
* Post Placement Deposit ($300)
Total Payable to Arise for Children = $13,450
* Application ($250)
* State Side Processing & Dossier Compilation ($4,500)
* Dossier Translation ($4,000)
* International Program Fee ($4,000)
* Orphanage & Child Care Fee ($2,500)
* Post Placement Deposit ($300)
Total Payable to Arise for Children = $13,450
Ethiopia Application and Fee Schedule
More on Ethiopia
The official flag of Ethiopia consists of three equal and horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands.
The yellow pentagram on the blue disk, also known as the National Coat of Arms, is a symbol of the current government; it is intended to reflect the desire of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia, as well as of its religious communities, to live together in unity and equality.
Prior governments had their own unique identifiers (National Coat of Arms) on the flag. For instance, the DERGUE had the Arma placed on the flag and the late Emperor Haile Sellassie had the Lion of Judah on the flag.
Although the National Coat of Arms has changed with the governments over the times - the green, the yellow and the red - has survived.
Capital: Addis Ababa • Area: 1.13 million sq km (437,794 sq miles)
Major languages: Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy: 46 years (men), 49 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Birr = 100 cents
Main exports: Coffee, hides, oilseeds, beeswax, sugarcane
GNI per capita: US $110 (World Bank, 2005)
Internet domain: .et
International dialing code: +251
Waiting Children
Coming Soon ..... Waiting Children
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Child 1
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Child 2
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Child 3
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Humanitarian Projects
Arise for Children is proud to be partnered with Eyes that See as their humanitarian outreach coordinator. see www.eyesthatsee.org for more information.