[jaenelle]

Our daughter is African-American, and if we adopt another child, I think we would like that child to be black as well. I am really feeling in my heart that international may be right for us the next time, rather than domestic. I'm not so sure I want to do the whole "tiny baby" thing again. It was great, but still... not sure I want to do it again. So I wondered what countries have black children available? I've thought of Haiti and of Ethiopia. Any others?

[mommytoEli]

Here are some programs I have run across that offer what you are looking for
Haiti
Ethiopia
Liberia
Uganda
Ghana
Dominican Republic
Panama

[ocracoke]

Zambia also has a new program.

[sak9645]

A lot depends on your tolerance for risk.

The most stable program with Black children, right now, would appear to be Ethiopia. The government of Liberia has licensed some American agencies -- including some really excellent ones -- to place Ethiopian children. Many of the agencies work with specific orphanages, where they have made strong efforts to ensure that the children receive adequate nutrition, decent medical care and medical testing, and so on.

With Ethiopia, children of all ages and both genders are available, although some agencies are not allowing gender choice, at least for currently childless families, to make sure that boys and girls have an equal chance at adoption. Sibling groups are also available. Both healthy children and children with special needs are available.

The requirements for parents are relatively liberal. Time frames have been fairly quick, although that is likely to change as many families switch to Ethiopia from other programs. Fees are generally moderate. Travel is brief, and escort may be allowed.

Most other countries' programs are less well developed and the risks with regard to time frame, ability to complete an adoption, and so on are greater. Some families feel that Liberia is currently stable. Some families also feel that Haiti is more or less stable. However, I would say that if you choose these countries, you should be very sure that you are working with an experienced, reputable agency.

In Africa, most other programs besides Ethiopia's and Liberia's are either new or very risky. I would be very cautious about programs in Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Rwanda, etc. at this point. The use of an extremely experienced and ethical agency is a "must", as there is a high risk that you will run into problems with corruption, inability to get a visa for a child, etc., if you do not do so.

Black or biracial children may also be available in some South American countries. As an example, if you are open to Black or biracial children of school age, Brazil is a possibility. Brazil is an amazing "melting pot", and there are children whose heritage comes from many different racial and ethnic groups, including Black, Asian, indigenous (Indian), White, etc. Some agencies allow parents to choose the ethnicity of the child they wish to adopt, though others may not.

Brazil has ratified the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption, and since the U.S. will probably not ratify until sometime in 2008, certain Brazilian states won't work with American families right now; however, other states are comfortable with American families.

Brazil tends to give strong preference to Brazilian citizens when it comes to adoption. As a result, it is rare that a healthy child under 5 years of age is available to anyone who is not of Brazilian heritage.

There are quite a few American agencies that work in Brazil. Some of these agencies work with one particular organization in Brazil that is known to be reputable. Always check out not only the American agency, but also the overseas organization with which it works. One way to do this is to contact the American Embassy in the country, to see if families working through that agency, or with that foreign organization, have had trouble getting visas for their children.

With some other countries, there may be occasional biracial children available. Some Guatemalan children, for example, have at least some Black heritage, although most agencies working there will not let families specify racial heritage. Even in Eastern Europe, an occasional biracial child is found, though it is not likely that an agency will work with you if you are open only to children with some Black heritage, since these children are so rarely available.

Sharon

[KarynB]

Ecuador
South Africa

[KarynB]

Oh - and St.Vincent

[hunterfamily]

FYI- US can not do adoptions in South Africa

[hunterfamily]

Sorry mistake on that info..US citizens can only adopt from South Africa under these conditions;

There is a five year residency requirement, which can include the two-year vetting process. South African authorities will approve adoptions by U.S. citizen families who have been residents in South Africa or in cases in which one spouse is South African.

I think that leaves most of us out.

[dlbmcgill]

Even if you don't want to do the "tiny baby" thing again, domestic is still an option. There are 500,000 kids in foster care here, many of them African-American and of all ages. Just a thought.

[jaenelle]

Originally Posted by dlbmcgill

Even if you don't want to do the "tiny baby" thing again, domestic is still an option. There are 500,000 kids in foster care here, many of them African-American and of all ages. Just a thought.

We have inquired about approximately 50 of them from various states, with basically no response. We've also inquired about generally becoming foster and/or adoptive parents with our state. Most of the people haven't even bothered to return our phone calls and the few that did were quick to dismiss us because of either our age or the fact that we wanted a somewhat younger (under 10, for example) child. I don't understand this attitude when there are so many kids that need homes.