In Ethiopia, approximately 1 in 10 children die in infancy, and nearly double that number die by their 5th birthday, due to infections, tetanus and diarrhea. Ethiopia is considered the 3rd worst place in the world to be born, better only than Burkina Faso and Djibouti. Of the children who survive, many will lose their mother in childbirth and many more will lose one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.
As more and more parents die, the capacity of extended family members to take care of orphans shrinks. Ethiopia has reached the breaking point where orphaned children are now forced into the streets, into difficult working conditions and/or into heading their households.
In 2001, 13.2% of the population, 3.8 million children, were orphaned. In comparison, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda resulted in 500,000 orphans and the 2004 Tsunami in Southeast Asia resulted in 10,000 orphans. In 2006, only 731 orphans were adopted by American parents. 3,799,269 orphans remain vulnerable.
(courtesy of www.ethiopianrelief.org)
This blog is the story of my life as we embark on our journey to adopt from Ethiopia! I'm glad you have decided to join us! I am a wife to my wonderfully supportive husband Troy and mommy to my awesome 4 year old daughter Peyton. I have been blessed beyond measure thanks to my God!