I was at the Hilton several times a couple of monthes ago and what surprised me was the number of Ethiopian kids who are adopted by foreigners. I do not know if the Hilton is the favorite place or has a business connection to these agencies.
One nagging problem I seem to ask myself everytime I see an Ethiopian kid with a foreigner is: who checks these guys out and who verifies that these people are not pedophiles and perverts?

Hey, thanks for the link!

I've enjoyed reading your stories of Addis...

Mary, mom to many, including 2 from Ethiopia

Hi Andrew.

I am a mom of three beautiful kiddo's. Two were born in Ethiopia...
We live in Minneapolis Mn USA and have a huge supportive Ethiopian community here.
We even attend cultural and language classes with the Et. community while our kids are learning (or re-learning as the case may be...) songs, amharic and games played in Ethiopia.

I can't think of a better way to build a family and these kids are my angels. We are told all the time how blessed they are... well, my friend, my husband and I are the ones who are truly blessed.

Peace.
Heather (in snowy Minnesota!)

Hi Andrew.

I am a mom of three beautiful kiddo's. Two were born in Ethiopia...
We live in Minneapolis Mn USA and have a huge supportive Ethiopian community here.
We even attend cultural and language classes with the Et. community while our kids are learning (or re-learning as the case may be...) songs, amharic and games played in Ethiopia.

I can't think of a better way to build a family and these kids are my angels. We are told all the time how blessed they are... well, my friend, my husband and I are the ones who are truly blessed.

Peace.
Heather (in snowy Minnesota!)

Thanks for this!

I'm adopting from Ethiopia, and I have to say that I have found the blogosphere to be a fantastic research resource and support system.

I have (virtually) met several other folks adopting from Ethiopia, or who have recently brought their children home. I'm learning a ton from these folks. And, it's been thrilling to follow along with their journeys as I move forward on my own.

I just found your blog (through owlhaven's blog) and was almost cringing when I started reading this post, waiting for the seemingly inevitable slam against American adoption of Ethiopian kids. How refreshing to see the opposite. I'm a mom of a wonderful boy from Ethiopia myself.

One other note: many Americans also adopt older Ethiopian kids, not just babies. The writer Melissa Fay Greene quoted an Ethiopian woman who runs a foster home as saying Americans are known for being interested in adopting older kids, too, not just babies. There's not always so much nice to say about Americans abroad, but there's something.

Glad to have found you!

Such a timely post! And so glad you mentioned Owlhaven -- definitely an authority on this subject. I hope it gets a lot of attention!

Caleb,

All adoptive families in America have to undergo an exhaustive homestudy and background check. This check includes TWO sets of fingerprint checks and 3 meetings with a social worker. Homes are examined, employment and income is verified, and references are checked. It is no picnic to become an adoptive parent. And that is as it should be. These kids are precious and deserve to have good families.

Mary, mom to many, including 2 from Korea and 2 from Ethiopia

It's not just infants; many older kids (and siblings) get adopted too. Clearly keeping the children with their birth families in their birth country is best for the children. But when that's not possible, I think international adoption is the next best thing.

I'm certainly happier because of it.

Thanks for including me in your blogroll. I am new to your blog, but enjoying what I see here so far. Sorry to hear about some of your grumpy commenters. With blogging, we often have to take the bad part, to get the benefit of all the good parts. Don't get too discouraged. 8^)

Hi Andrew
I have enjoyed seeing Ethiopia through your blog and have been reading for a while now.
Don't forget Aussie blogs like ours www.aussieopianfamily.typepad.com and www.ourethiopianadoption.blogspot.com Thanks for the links, there are some I haven't come across yet.
Leisa (Brisbane, Australia)
Oh and this one too http://internationaladoptsites.blogspot.com/index.html

Andrew,

How does it feel to get nice, pleasant, positive unabeshalike comments for a change? :-)

lol

I am wondering how many kids are adopted from ethiopia by U.S. parents for our reasearch projetc at the university. Please let us know.

Ashley Baumbach,
Atherstone, Yorkshire,
Your findings on this would be most appreciated.

I don't know if you know the answer to this but in general how do Ethiopians feel about African Americans adopting their children. I was told that they prefer Caucasions because of various reasons. Do you know if this is a true general consensus or someone just has bad information. I would REALLY appreciate your thoughts on this. Please email me directly if possible.

I enjoy looking at this website from time to time, my husband and I are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia.I disagree about your comments about the media and adoption, especially about Angelina Jolie who I personally think is a amazing example of a mother and of what one person can do to change the world, even if it's through just one child, it has a snowball effect esspecially for someone in her possition in sociaty, she's a major inspiration to me, and I believe her to be an great example to us all!!

We are African American are also interested in adopting an Ethiopian little girl.I find this rare? Is there cultural bias?