Our Local Adoption Program
WHY LOCAL ADOPTION?
In 2018, the Ethiopian government ended international adoption of Ethiopian children to other countries.
For children who are orphaned or abandoned, this means that local adoption is the best option for finding a forever family.
At Uryadi’s Village, we want to ensure that if an orphaned or abandoned child has a chance to find a forever family, we do everything in our power to facilitate that.
In 2017, the local government asked us if we would be willing to pioneer a new local adoption program, helping to connect the children we serve with local families who deeply desired to provide homes for them. This was a huge development for us, because we could help these children find forever homes, in their own community, and help to build a stronger, more resilient Soddo.
Every child deserves a family. The children who stay in our care have an extra large family. But there are many local families who want to adopt. Family is a very important part of Ethiopian life, and in the majority of situations, children are cherished by their families.
When a family inquires about adoption, we and our staff social worker work closely with the government officials in charge of children’s and family welfare. Together, we go through all the legally required steps and processes to ensure that the family and child are a great fit, and that adoption is the best choice.
In July of 2017 we opened this program, placing our first child with her forever family. We now provide training and education for families interested in adopting a child.
As of 2024, we have placed over 80 children with their forever families.
This isn’t a path we were initially looking for, but this path found us and has proven to be a powerful catalyst for changing the negative connotation of orphans. Our local community is coming to see the beauty and rightness of helping orphaned children find their forever families.
Our gratitude knows no bounds as we see the children in the arms of their new families, and witness the love, care, and tenderness being lavished on these babies.
Local adoption is an amazing opportunity for us to help connect loving local families with children who truly will be best served by being part of a family.
It is an incredible gift that we never tire of, to see the smiles, the boundless love, and the change that is possible for the orphaned children of Ethiopia.
completed local adoptions
These photos represent just a few of the children whose adoptions we have facilitated. It only takes one glance to see the joy and love on the faces of these children and their families.
