There is a huge need for families to adopt from Ethiopia. It is estimated that by 2010, Africa will have 42 million orphans. Ethiopia has the highest percentage of orphans in Africa.

Ethiopia is a program we have been directly licensed with since 2006. We are authorized by the Ministry of Justice of the Government of Ethiopia to conduct international adoptions as well as support our humanitarian aid projects in the country.

The Children of Ethiopia

Poverty, disease and war have left a large number of children without parents. The one thing I want adoptive families to know about Ethiopian children is that even though they have been through so much in their lives, they remain joyful, strong and resilient. Some children are available for immediate placement, or parents may receive a referral within 2-4 months after their dossier is approved by Ethiopia's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Very young children, toddlers and older children can be referred. We always have older little boys waiting for a loving family. All children are examined by CHI's doctor in Addis Ababa and are tested for HIV and other major illness. Parents will receive a complete child study which includes all medical information, legal documentation and proof of orphan status, photos and a video. Children that have been accepted by a family are transferred into our foster care at The Thomas Center. The Thomas Center is Childrenís Houseís own foster care center and having your child live there during the adoption process allows us to give the best care possible. We are able to send our adoptive families photos and updates of their children many times during the adoption process. I travel to Ethiopia often to oversee the adoption and humanitarian aid programs.

Ethiopian Government Requirements

• Couples must be married for at least three year prior to application

Time Frame

• One to six months for a referral (after approval of your dossier), infant girls take longer. Please consider adopting older children and boys - there is such a great need and we always have waiting children.

• Four to five months after a referral is accepted before your child is legally ready to travel home.

Travel Requirements

• Ethiopia now requires families to be present at the court hearing. If both parents travel for this court hearing, you will spend a few days visiting your child, appear in court and then return back to the USA. The positive thing about this new requirement is that if both parents travel, your child will become an automatic US Citizen as soon as he/she enters the USA. In cases of hardship, one parent can travel with a Power of Attorney from the non-traveling spouse. In this case, you must readopt your child in your state of residence when he/she comes home.

• When you travel back to Ethiopia to bring your child home, one or both parents can make this trip. Your stay in Addis Ababa will be four days and five nights. We suggest direct flights for this second trip and we will help you plan your travel.

• Our staff will be with you during your stay to assist you with the guest house, hotels, transportation, official meetings, etc. Most people in Ethiopia speak English and the hotels are beautiful, the food is great, and you will have a wonderful time.

Escort Option

We strongly urge you to travel to bring your child(ren) home from Ethiopia. However, since Ethiopia has instituted the new policy where you must appear in court, you may choose to have your child(ren) escorted home when they are ready to travel. This will add approximately one - two months to your adoption process.

Note: Due to the nature of international adoption, this information is subject to change without notice. All families in process of adopting through Children's House International receive updates every few weeks to keep them informed of any changes, new information, humanitarian efforts, etc.

Ethiopia Adoption Fees

For more information including fees email: CHIEthiopia@aol.com.

Or you can click on this link: http://chitr.xtranet-designs.com/public.php to receive information on the agency contract, financial agreements and statistical information on: the number of adoption placements per year for the prior 3 calendar years, the number of placements that remain intact, the number of families who apply to adopt each year, and the number of waiting children eligible for adoption.

Humanitarian Efforts in Ethiopia

Children's House International sponsors the Monastery of Debre Alama Asira Metria, Saint Mary Andinet Gedam, for One Hundred (100) Orphans: A Multi-purpose Project for Orphan Children at Risk, rendering financial support towards the psychosocial and economic rehabilitation of orphans who are abandoned in the town of Atsbi, and assisting them to be responsible citizens. These children are not available for adoption.

Children's House International sponsors the Debre Alama Asira, Saint Mary Monastery Irrigation Project: A Multi-purpose Project for Monks & Farmers at Risk, rendering financial support for the implementation of the irrigation system and animal husbandry for monks and neighboring farmers who are affected by drought in the eastern part of Tigray State in order to create sustainability and contribute in the national efforts to reduce the disaster of drought in parts of Ethiopia.

Children's House International is committed to sponsoring these programs. The funds to support these programs come from generous donations and adoption fees.

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