[alwaysadream]

I have become obsessed with researching countries, requirements, agencies, etc this past month and have just come upon Ethiopia as an option. I would love to know what drew you to Ethiopia for the adoption of your child. I am learning so many wonderful things, but would love additional insight.

Thanks!
Christy

[JenC]

Hi Christy! I had spent literally years researching international adoption. There were reasons why Russia, China, Guatemala, Kaz., Vietnam, weren't suited for us.
We had it narrowed down to either Ethiopia or Haiti when the time came for us to proceed. Ethiopia.........just felt right. The travel time is relatively short, stable program (becoming wildly popular, it seems!), everything just felt right. I know that's probably not the answer you were looking for, but after we had ruled out other countries, it was just "it".

[ocracoke]

The easy answer is ... because that is where my daughter was. I knew it from the moment I thought of Ethiopia. I had research Russia, and Vietnam and Guatemala and many other countries and didn't know how I was going to pick one because I did not feel "drawn" to any of them. Then Ethiopia was suggested and I knew instantly it was the right choice for me. Then I saw the pictures of children, I read about the culture, I qualified for the program, the price was right, and so many more things. For me, I knew I would adopt from Ethiopia and then I just kept finding more reasons that confirmed I was making the right decision.

Samantha

[teranga]

Not sure this will help you either, but our reason was largely b/c we'd lived in Africa for 2.5 years, in a rural village (peace corps). From thta experience, we knew tons of WINDERFUL things about life in rural Africa. Of laughter, of hope, of joy, of close family, of generosity...We think of happy, wonderful things when we think of Africa. I wanted to adopt from a place where I could tell my child about these things, and not just about poverty, AIDS, etc. Also I wanted to adopt from a place I'd like to go back to many times and a place where I felt very much "at home" which we definitely did when we visited Addis and the outlying countryside. It was so comfortable and just reminded us how, as someone once said to me, once you've spent time in Africa, you just can't get it out of your system!

Also, on a more practical front, I was drawn to the fact that the children tend to be healthy and strong (generally speaking). With one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, the reality is that mainly the strong survive... We were not comfortable with FAS potential in E. Europe, of possible Chernobyl effects in Ukraine...but felt comfortable with the "risk" involved with the health of our child in Ethiopia.

Teranga

[adoptethiopiablog]

Ethiopia Adoption Blog - Why Ethiopia?

[swerl]

We have biracial kids in our extended family.