Ethiopia is a beautiful country situated in the Northeastern part of Africa near the Red Sea. Also known as The Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a country rich in culture, history and national pride. Sometimes called, The Cradle of Humanity, legend has it that the Arc of the Covenant remains there today. Just smaller than the state of Alaska, Ethiopia boasts the source of the great African river, the Blue Nile. Ethiopia is among the 20 most populated countries in the world, 2nd most populous region in Africa, with a population of approximately 77 million. As well, it is one of the oldest countries in the world with a recorded history of over 3,000 years and was the home of the Queen of Sheba. Drought, Disease and seventeen years of civil war from 1974 until 1991, bankrupted the country and left millions of children orphaned and vulnerable.
Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world that has no history of colonization. Upon their independence, many African countries adopted the colors of the Ethiopian flag – green, yellow and red – that became known as the Pan-African colors. The Capital is Addis Ababa and major languages spoken are Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali. Major religions include Christianity & Islam.
The Adoption Process
Lifeline will place children according to Ethiopian guidelines for adoptive families as well as the desires of our Ethiopian partner organization, West Sands Adoptions. Parents must be married for at least one year and no more than 40 years older than their adoptive child. Parents must also agree to pre-adoptive training as well as submit an approved home study. Single mothers are limited by country guidelines and Lifeline is unable to accept single parent applicants at this time. Families adjusting to major life events, such as a birth of a new child, are considered on a case by case basis for adoption approval.
- Provide initial application, with references, to Lifeline for review
- Receive preliminary approval into the program
- Begin your home study with a licensed home study provider
- Receive official acceptance into the program (Requires home study review)
- Make application for USCIS approval
- Dossier compilation and submitted to Lifeline for approval
- Send Complete Dossier for authentication and translation
- Start your immunizations
- Receive Referral. (Normally, within 9 months after Dossier submission)
- Receive Court Assignment (1-6 months post referral)
- Travel for 1st visitation and court appearance
- Prepare final documents and discuss travel
- Pick up your Child (Normally, 8-10 weeks post court approval)
- Usual length of stay is 4-6 days in country for both visits
The Children
- Infants, toddlers, and older children are available for adoption at this time through Ethiopia Adoption.
- Both boys and girls are available.
- Healthy and Special Needs children are available.
- Referrals are made by matching prospective parents with a child/ren who meet their criteria as specified in a completed home study.
- The child/ren will receive a medical evaluation from the US Embassy before a US Visa is granted.
- All children are tested for HIV.
Travel Information
- Recent changes by the Ethiopian Government will require families to take two brief trips to Ethiopia, one to appear in court for the adoption and the second 6-8 weeks later to bring their child home. Each trip is 5-7 days in length.
- Both parents must travel on the first trip.
- Traveling families will be met by our agency representative upon arrival and will be guided and assisted by our in-country staff throughout their stay.
- Traveling to Ethiopia offers parents a tremendous opportunity to learn more about their child’s birth heritage. While in Addis Ababa, parents will meet and visit daily with their child at the orphanage and will have the opportunity for consultation with caretakers who have been attending to the child.
- In some cases, birth relatives of the child may request a meeting with adoptive parents.
Please call 205-967-0811 to learn more about our Ethiopia Program. You can also email Sarah Temple.
