Ethiopia: Country and Program Overview
Ethiopia, a land of rugged beauty, is the oldest independent country in Africa. The ancient home of the Queen of Sheba, it was left bankrupt by years of civil war. Drought, floods, famine, and disease have pushed many thousands of Ethiopian children into institutions because their parents are either no longer living or are unable to care for them.
There are numerous U.S.-based adoption agencies authorized by the Government of Ethiopia to provide adoption services. The government office responsible for adoptions in Ethiopia is the Adoption Team in the Children and Youth Affairs Office (CYAO), which is under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA). Private adoptions are permitted in Ethiopia, but discouraged by MOLSA because they take place under local adoption rules and may bypass the process and protections put in place by the Government of Ethiopia relating to international adoption. Ethiopia requires post-placement reports on Ethiopian orphans at 3 months, 6 months, and one year after the adoption. Yearly reports until the child turns 18 are also required.
Children Available
Children of all ages, including infants, toddlers and older children are available for adoption from Ethiopia. Special needs children, as well as siblings, can also be placed for adoption. There are both boys and girls in need of families. Families may specify age and gender. The children are in orphanages located throughout the country. There may be the opportunity to meet the birth mother or birth family of the adopted child.
Parent Requirements
Married couples and single women between the ages of 25 ' 49 years of age are eligible to adopt a child under 2 years old. Married couples and single women over 49 years old must be willing to adopt a child over 4 years of age. There is no time minimum for couples to be married. Married couples and single applicants must have a combined household income of at least $30,000. There are no residency requirements that prospective adoptive parents must meet in order to adopt an orphan from Ethiopia
Travel
Both parents must travel to Ethiopia to pick up the adoptive child. The duration of the trip is approximately 2-3 weeks.
Timelines
After the family submits a dossier to the Ethiopian authorities, it takes between six and ten months for the referral of a boy, and nine to twelve months for the referral of a girl.
Fees
Approximate total cost for an adoption from Ethiopia is $20,000-$25,000. These fees include the home study, travel, stay in country, agency fees, foreign program costs and legalization of paperwork.