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Ethiopia Adoption Program
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 Adopting
from Ethiopia has become an increasingly popular choice over the past
few years -- with good reason. And when you choose to adopt through LBB
you'll see why! Our service and expertise is solid and the staff and
orphanage in Ethiopia work diligently on your behalf.
Through
A Love Beyond Borders Ethiopian partnership program we
are able to provide a flexible adoption program that is
inclusive of a wide-range of qualified potential parents, including
single women. We work with established, well-run orphanages
throughout Ethiopia with staff well-versed in maneuvering through
Ethiopia's legal system. You will be guided through each step of the
adoption process and escorted to adoption appointments while in Addis
Ababa.
There
are estimates of as many as four million children in Ethiopia living
without parents or families. These children are orphaned by
poverty, AIDS, political conditions and disabling infrastructure. Yet
even faced with these conditions the people and children of Ethiopia
live an emotionally generous life, embodying the philosophy of "It
takes a village to raise a child.". This means that older
children adopted from Ethiopia who have lived in an extended family
environment -- even those living in orphanages -- will typically
manifest fewer developmental or emotional issues than children adopted
from orphanages in other countries.
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The children from Ethiopia
are typically healthy and/or have correctable health
conditions. Adoptive parent requirements are
flexible. Young babies and sibling groups are
available. One trip of approximately 10 days is requested,
although escort services are an option in certain circumstances.
| Children: |
- Children six months to 14 years of age.
- Both boys and girls are available for adoption.
First time parents should be flexible in regards to gender selection.
- Children are generally healthy, but may have
parasites and other treatable conditions caused due to living
conditions. Children are tested - at minimum -- for HIV/AIDS, and
Hepatitis and several other conditions. Special needs children are
available.
- Many older sibling groups are available.
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| Adoptive Parents Requirements: |
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Single women and married
couples may apply.
Couples must be married at least one year. Applications cannot be
accepted from pregnant women. Previous divorce is allowed. One parent
must be a US Citizen.
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Parents must be at least 25
years of age. There is
no statutory age limit. Those 25-49 may adopt an infant. Those over 50
may adopt an older child.
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There is no limit to the
number of children
already in the home. Large families can adopt as long as you can show
sufficient income.
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| Travel to Ethiopia
is now required by MOWA to meet the child and attend court. One parent
may travel with the second parent’s power of attorney if both parents
are not able to travel for the first trip. For the second trip to
receive the child and complete the immigration process one or both
parents may travel or escort is available. Travel for the first trip is
approximately 3-5 days and comfortable accommodations are available.
Travel for the second trip is approximately one week. Clients are fully
escorted to adoption-related proceedings while in Ethiopia.
Escort is available for those families who are unable to travel for the
second trip. Please speak with one of our staff members for further
information on this optional service. Please note that if both adoptive
parents meet the child prior to court the child will arrive to the US
on an IR3 visa, a category which confers automatic US Citizenship upon
the child. |
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| Timelines
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Program
Update: Effective Spring 2010
Ethiopian officials are now requiring that adoptive parents meet the
child they are adopting and attend court in Addis Ababa.
Due to
our ever-expanding network of orphanages,
the wait for a referral is relatively quick compared to many programs.
Once you submit your completed dossier it will take approximately 6-8
months to receive a referral of a young child, then 3-5 months to
complete the adoption. Approximately 2-3 months after accepting a
referral both adoptive parents will travel to Ethiopia to meet the
child and attend court. This trip is estimated to be about 3 days in
Ethiopia. You will then return home and about 6-8 weeks later receive
word that you may return to Ethiopia to receive your child, complete
the immigration process and bring your child home!!
Families
desiring to adopt children older than six,
special needs, or older sibling groups may receive a referral in as
little as one month.
The
timeframe will depend greatly on the age and
sex of the child(ren) you are seeking to adopt. Waits are longest for
families desiring young babies, especially baby girls.
Due to the nature
of international adoptions, the requirements, timelines and fees are
subject to change without notice.
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