Ethiopia
Adoption Program
Children available for adoption
* Infants 6 months and older
* Siblings available occasionally
* Children are tested for Hepatitis B, C, and
HIV
Eligibility requirements
* Couples and single females accepted
* Applicants between the ages of 25-50; over 50
considered on a case by case basis
Process before travel
* Apply to INS for advanced approval to be eligible
to adopt from Ethiopia.
* Satisfy the laws of the state where you reside.
* Complete a home study by a licensed agency or
social worker.
* Meet the eligibility requirement of the Ethiopian
Adoption Laws and provide necessary documents
to the Ethiopian government.
Time Frame
* It takes approximately 3 months to obtain INS
approval, complete a Home study and prepare a
dossier.
* Referral is approximately 3-6 months from submission
of dossier.
* Travel is approximately 2-4 months after acceptance
of the assignment.
* Only one parent must travel.
* Length of stay is approximately 6 days.
General information
about Ethiopia
(Information taken from the CIA World Fact Book)
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in
Africa, and the three main colors of her flag
(green, yellow, and red) were so often adopted
by other African countries upon independence that
they became known as the pan-African colors.
Unique among African countries, the ancient
Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from
colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41
Italian occupation during World War II. A constitution
was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty
elections were held in 1995. A border war with
Eritrea late in the 1990s ended with a peace
treaty in December 2000.
Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based
on agriculture, accounting for almost half of
GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment.
The agricultural sector suffers from frequent
drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee
is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports
of some $350 million in 2006, but historically
low prices have seen many farmers switching
to qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea
in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted
the economy, in particular coffee production.
In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt
relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries
(HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the
IMF voted to forgive Ethiopia's debt to the
body. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state
owns all land and provides long-term leases
to the tenants; the system continues to hamper
growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs
are unable to use land as collateral for loans.
Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to
a 3.3% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather
patterns helped agricultural and GDP growth
recover during 2004-07.
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