Why Ethiopia?

We have decided to begin our adoption process in Ethiopia.  A common question that we get is why we are adopting internationally when there are so many kids right here in the US that desperately need a family.  First of all, we firmly believe that any child without a family NEEDS a family.  We have come to realize, however, that all of the children in our local children services "system" have food, clothing, and shelter.  In addition, they will receive and education, and have instant access to some of the fines medical care in the world.  Orphans in Ethiopia do not.  In Ethiopia, one in ten children die before their first birthday.  One in six die before their fifth birthday.  60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition.  Ethiopia's doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.  And, only 18% of children reach grade five.  Furthermore, Ethiopia is home to 4 - 6 million orphans.  That is the same number of children under the age of 18 who reside in Massachusetts, New York State, and Washington DC combined.  If every parent in those places died tonight - that would be similar to Ethiopia's orphan crisis.  As we digested all of these facts, and researched the condition that these children live in, we realized that we needed to do our part.