I have to admit that Ethiopia wasn't the first place we considered when looking into adopting internationally. However, various countries that were once available to work with the U.S. are currently experiencing situations that have closed adoption processes either temporarily or permanently with the U.S. (see this unfortunate current news about adoptions in Russia). Also, since we already have biological children, and 4 at that, many countries will not accept families with bio children to adopt and/or families with over 3 bio children to adopt. The list of requirements goes on and on, depending on the country.
When we were in contact with our agency in the research and questioning phase, they suggested Ethiopia to us asking if we would consider it. Our response was, "a child in need is a child in need, no matter where they might be on the map." This is where our heart is. We do meet all the requirements for adopting from Ethiopia, especially since there is no limit on the number of children currently living in the home.
There is a great need in Ethiopia
When we were in contact with our agency in the research and questioning phase, they suggested Ethiopia to us asking if we would consider it. Our response was, "a child in need is a child in need, no matter where they might be on the map." This is where our heart is. We do meet all the requirements for adopting from Ethiopia, especially since there is no limit on the number of children currently living in the home.
There is a great need in Ethiopia
* Over half the population lives on less than a $1 a day.
* The average income in Ethiopia is US $380 a year.
* Malnutrition levels are among the highest in the world.
* Ethiopia is home to 4.6 million orphans, or 13% of all children.
* Only 42% literacy rate.
* Malnutrition levels are among the highest in the world.
* Ethiopia is home to 4.6 million orphans, or 13% of all children.
* Only 42% literacy rate.
* Only 26% have access to safe drinking water.
*Life expectancy in Ethiopia 59 years. The leading cause of death are diseases such as malaria, typhoid, meningitis, cholera, AIDS, tuberculosis, yellow fever.
* One in ten children die before their first birthday
* One in six children die before their fifth birthday
* Woman have an average of 6 children and the maternal mortality rate is 1 in 14
* Only 26 percent ofEthiopia
* One in ten children die before their first birthday
* One in six children die before their fifth birthday
* Woman have an average of 6 children and the maternal mortality rate is 1 in 14
* Only 26 percent of
About Ethiopia*
Geography and people
Ethiopia is home to more than 80 million people speaking more than 80 languages. Sitting in East Africa, Ethiopia borders Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, and Sudan to the west.
Varied landscapes fill the land, ranging from rugged highlands to dense forests to hot lowland plains. The slow drying of Africa’s Sahel region has increased droughts in eastern and northeastern Ethiopia.
Although deforestation has hurt crop production, over 80 percent of Ethiopians work in agriculture. Major crops include coffee, potatoes, grain, sorghum, and castor beans. Natural resources consist of small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, natural gas, and hydropower.
The second most populous country in Africa, Ethiopia has over 70 different people groups. In many areas, local dialects have replaced the official language of Amharic in primary school instruction. Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, and English also are spoken. The capital of Addis Ababa is home to the African Union headquarters.
Most Ethiopians live in rural areas, many with their extended families in a clustered group of thatched huts. They sometimes refer to their cousins as “brother” or “sister” and to their aunts and uncles as “mother” and “father.”
History
Unlike most African nations, Ethiopia was never a European colony. Ethiopia became a socialist state in 1974; in 1994, Ethiopians adopted a constitution and held the first multi-party elections a year later.
Ethiopia suffered from the effects of severe economic troubles, civil war, and millions of displaced persons in the early 1980s. A succession of four devastating famines in that decade killed approximately 2 million people.
A 2.5-year border war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. Voting irregularities in the 2005 parliamentary elections led to mass protests and more than 100 deaths.
In 2006, Ethiopia sent troops into the neighboring country of Somalia to help restore order after Islamist conflicts. However, tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia continue.
Ethiopians still experience a high level of food insecurity today after droughts in 2008 and 2009 and ongoing flooding.
Our Kids' Questions About Ethiopia
(by order of which they were asked)
1. Are there cacti in Africa?
2. Is there quick sand in Africa?
3. Do they have a McDonald's?
4. What do they eat and drink?
5. What games do they play?
6. How do they train camels?
7. What does the language sound like?
8. How do they sleep? in beds or on mats?
9. What are some pretty things there? Like handmade crafts.
10. What do banana trees look like?
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