Ethiopia – Sponsorship Programs
There are many orphan children in Ethiopia. Years of terrible events, including war, famine and disease
– particularly HIV/AIDS – have produced a society where many children have no parents. Often elderly
grandparents or other relatives try to raise the children, but many are too old or in such deprived
circumstances that they simply cannot provide even basic needs. As a result, there are many children
being relinquished to orphanages or fending for themselves in the streets. AAI recognizes that
international adoption cannot meet the needs of all the orphaned children in Ethiopia and therefore has
developed sponsorship programs to serve those children who are able to live with extended family
members or neighbors while they continue their schooling.
AAI also recognizes that adopting a child – especially an older child – can be a financial strain for the family. We have developed two grant programs to help families adopting older or special needs children, the GRACE Fund and the Adopted Child Assistance Fund.
AAI also recognizes that adopting a child – especially an older child – can be a financial strain for the family. We have developed two grant programs to help families adopting older or special needs children, the GRACE Fund and the Adopted Child Assistance Fund.
Sponsorship For Children At Layla House
This program allows sponsors to assist with the care of orphaned children who are waiting for a family in the AAI facility in Ethiopia, Layla House. Although most of the costs of care are borne by the adoptive family, this program assists with the cost of care for more difficult to place children while they are waiting for a family.Sponsors receive a photo and an initial child report about their sponsored child. The donation for sponsorship is $35 per month. The cost to support one child is about $125 per month, so a child may be assigned to more than one sponsor. Sponsors will receive periodic updates about the children, the orphanages, and the situation in Ethiopia.
At Layla House there are many carefully trained caregivers and each
child receives love and attention. The children receive nutritious
meals and are kept busy with age-appropriate schooling and activities,
including field trips. It is expected that American families will adopt
the children, so they are taught basic English. This is a cheerful
place with kind and attentive staff. It is a good place for the child
to begin the adjustments that adoption will bring to each young life.
Most of the sponsorships of the healthy Ethiopian orphans are relatively short-term, one year or less. However, we have had some children who have been waiting well over a year, especially older children and sibling groups. When a sponsored child is adopted, a new child is assigned.
Sponsors for the Layla House children are not encouraged to write to their sponsored child or to send gifts. The reason for this is that the children who are being adopted receive letters and gifts from their new parents-to-be and so letters and gifts from a sponsor are confusing to children who want to believe that they have parents so badly that they misinterpret the intent of the gift giver no matter how the gifts are explained. On occasion, we have had an opportunity to send Christmas gift packages "from Santa" and, if this is going to be a possibility, sponsors are notified around October that there is such a gift giving opportunity.
