Why Ethiopia?

First I need to share my newest pic of my Tyson . . . Prepping for his first Canoe trip (by the way, he jumped out)
Because so many people have been asking "Why Ethiopia" or "Why Adoption" I thought I would give a quick review of some of the reasons we have been drawn to adopt from Ethiopia and some general adoption questions.

- I have always been interested in adoption, when I was much younger I helped with our church that partnered at a children's home in a neighboring town. In fact several years ago I traveled overseas to check out long-term opportunities to work in orphanages/children's homes.

- When did you get started?
- We started the paperwork and adoption process in August of 2008, approved Feb '09, and Dossier accepted (officially waiting) April '09.


- How did you pick Ethiopia?

Every country and agency has different requirements for adoption, such as age of parents, other children in the family, family finances, length of time to travel and stay in country, and length of marriage. They also are specific about the children they will process adoptions, such as with age or gender, and each have very different time lines for the process.

At the time we decided on Ethiopia it had a very reasonable wait time (6-12 months) however that has since changed and it will be at least 18 months. In Ethiopia we will able to adopt an infant, under the age of 18 months by the time he/she comes home. Because we do not already have children we are unable to choose the gender of the child we adopt (but I don't think we would anyway).

I think it is interesting that Dan spent a significant period of time doing mission work in this area of the world, in 1999 he lived in Tanzania and Kenya. He is somewhat familiar with the region and culture.

When we were still exploring options (i say that, but i already had my heart set on Ethiopia) I read the book "There is No Me Without You" by Melissa Fay Greene, it kind of sealed the deal for me, I dare you to read it and not be inspired!

Minnesota claims to have a huge Ethiopian community, although Rochester isn't exactly the epicenter of all things Ethiopian, we do have a growing Ethiopian community.

-Will we travel to pick up our child?


Yes! I cannot wait, I have already started planning the trip! We are required to be there for 5 days, we hope to go early and have time to explore our child's birth culture and country. Although I have heard horror stories of bringing infants, or young toddlers on a long overseas flight we cannot wait, I am sure Dan would guess that traveling with an infant might be easier than traveling with me at times.


- Where do the children live before adoption?


In Ethiopia children live in orphanages (which is different from South Korea in which they use foster homes). There is a central orphanage called a care center in the capital city of Addis Adaba where we will pick up our child. There is also a center if the children have medical needs. Most children adopted through CHS are from the Southern Region and Oromiya Region of Ethiopia.


- Why are there so many orphans in Ethiopia?


Many children are orphaned due to poverty, the residual effects of war, drought or famine, or their parents may have died of disease, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS related illnesses.


- What agency are you going through?


Children's Home Society and Family Services, based out of St.Paul. They have been working in Ethiopia since 2004 and one of the largest agencies in the country. They also have great post-adoption support system.

- What is the cost?

Unfortunately this is the most asked question, let us just say it will be totally worth it and we need a rather large fundraiser :)