Stephen and I really fell led to adopt from Africa. It’s something that we can’t really explain or put into words. It’s just a God thing. We’ve never been there but when we look at photos, hear stories, watch videos and read all about the orphan crisis & all of the water related diseases our heart aches. I sob. My heart is there & I can’t explain it except it’s just a God thing. It’s our hope & prayer that through our journey to Ethiopia we can help bring awareness the situation there. My parents always say “knowledge is power” and think if more people knew some of these staggering statistics, they would be more inclined to do something about it.
Some pretty stunning facts on Ethiopia….
- 1 out of every 20 children born alive will die in their first month of life
- 1 in 10 children die before their 1st birthday
- 1 in 6 children die before their 5th birthday
- Ethiopia is the most populated country in Africa with estimated 80 million people
- Ethiopia is twice the size of Texas
- 5.5 million children are considered orphans or vulnerable
- The 5.5 million number includes more than 850,000 who are orphans due to HIV/AIDs
- The median age in Ethiopia is 18 years
- 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS
- Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world with 1 in 4 Ethiopians living on less than $1/day
- About 450,000 children die each year, mainly from preventable and treatable infectious diseases complicated by malnutrition.
- Ethiopia’s fertility rate of 5.4 births per woman is one of the highest in the world
- 20,000 new mothers die each year-largely because 93 percent of all deliveries occur at home
- Life expectancy in Ethiopia is 39 for males and 42 for females
- Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa
- Half the kids in Africa will never attend school
Information found mostly on USAID website
Hey, I'm Wynne!
Hi, friend! First, I truly am so giddy that you are here. I want you to know I believe in you and all the ways you are growing towards living a more intentional life. I genuinely hope you are encouraged from our time together here.
A little about me, I’m a type 7 on the enneagram, a total extrovert + people lover, entrepreneur, connector, storyteller, people gatherer, and passionate wife, mama + friend. I feel most alive when I’m exploring new places and surrounded by people I love. Give me a day in the outdoors disconnected from wifi, and I am a happy girl. I run on oat milk lattes, Jesus, gratitude journaling and kitchen dance parties with my four kids.
Welcome, come on in!
Hey Wynne! I just came across your blog & am so excited for you & Stephen & this adoption adventure the Lord is taking you on! I look forward to reading more updates & seeing how God works through you all!
Hey! I just came across your blog and am really excited as I jeust started thinking about adopting from Ethiopia. Talking to people about it raised quite some questions. The biggest one: How to make sure you don’t get unconsciously involved in child-Selling stuff. How to make sure you’ve got a good agency that makes sure the child really is an orphan? How did you handle this question? Love, Mathilda
Hey mathilda! That is a really good question, you have to be very careful on what agency you choose. Asking the right questions, asking a lot of questions, and making sure their practices are ethical! We chose Gladney and are so glad we did – they are very ethical and we know they take the best interest in the children, and that’s what matters! Best of luck to you!