Ethiopia Program

ETHIOPIA - The Country

Ethiopia is located in eastern Africa and is slightly less than twice the size of Texas. The population of this is approximately 82,544,840. Ethiopia is a landlocked country. Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture with coffee exports being critical to the economy. The climate of the country is tropical monsoon.

Why Choose to Adopt From Ethiopia?

Children receive loving care in a private orphanage. Families can expect to receive a referral within 1-18 months from submitting the dossier depending on the type of child and children available at the time. The adoption process in Ethiopia is approximately 3-5 months after referral. One trip to Ethiopia is required with a short stay of 10 days. English is taught in most major schools.

Who is Eligible to Adopt from Ethiopia?

Married couples and single woman are able to adopt from Ethiopia. Couples must be married at least 1 year. Adoptive parents can be no older than 50 to adopt an infant but those over 50 may adopt an older child. There is no set upper age limit. Other children in the home are appropriate.

Children Available

Children can be as young as six months of age up to 14 years of age at time of referral. Boys and girls are available, although more boys are available. Children are generally in good health although they may have parasites and other treatable conditions. Inadequate nutrition is very common. There are also siblings available.

To Begin the Process

1.    Apply to Hands Across The Water for services. This is a networking program with West Sands.

2.    Complete your Home Study with Hands Across The Water.

3.    File your I-600A with the USCIS.

4.   Prepare your dossier for Ethiopia. HATW can do this for you or you can take this on       yourself with our assistance.

5.    Hands Across The Water will forward your completed dossier to Ethiopia to be approved by the Adoption Committee.

6.    Once dossier is approved, you will receive a referral which can take approximately 1-18 months depending on children available.

7.    After a referral is received and accepted, you will need to prepare to travel within 2-3 months to begin the adoption process. You will stay in Ethiopia about 5-7 days. A second trip of another 5-7 days is required after the adoption is final. (Approx 8 to 12 weeks after the first trip) West Sands has a family house where adopting families stay.

Post Adoption Supervision

Your child’s adoption is finalized in Ethiopia, but three post adoption reports and photos of your child over a period of time are required. The number of reports and frequency may change, but currently they are required at 3, 6, and 12 months then annually until the child is 18.