The Cost of A Life...How Much Does Adoption Really Cost?

What does it really cost to adopt? Why does it cost so much? Where do all the payments actually go? Isn't that just robbery--"they" (whoever that is) should make it easier so that more families can help children in need. We're often asked questions like these. They're not bad questions, and I am thankful that people are even asking questions. But the answer to cost of adoption questions is simple:

Yes. Adoption is expensive.

Below, I have the break down of the numbers. This is where the costs go. When it comes to international adoption, the only people willing to pay for these costs are the adoptive parents. Many of these countries have a huge number of orphans, making it virtually impossible for them to care for all those children's needs. The life expectancy for an adult in Ethiopia is only 56 years old. In fact, 50% of their population is below the age of 16. Of those children, there are an estimated 5 million orphans in Ethiopia ALONE (compared to the half a million in the US). 147 million (at least) worldwide. The numbers are absolutely staggering.

No government program, much less in a developing third world country, is capable of covering these costs. So, who pays for these costs (the paperwork, the medical, the processing, the care, the immigration, etc.)? Parents. This is why adoption costs so much. It's really not some adoption agency or third world country trying to suck the "rich Americans" dry... (Although, there certainly are extreme instances where this is the case.) It's expensive to sustain a life. Here is the official breakdown of the international adoption costs for Ethiopia:

$100................Application Fee for Home Study
$2000..............Home Study Fee
$300................Application Fee for International Agency
$450................Gathering Documents for Dossier
(birth certificates, marriage certificates, passport renewals, background checks, etc.)
$100................Medical Physicals
$890................Immigration and Fingerprints (USCIS)
$6000..............Adoption Agency Fee
$1000..............Dossier Submission Fee (translation, processing in Ethiopia)
$11,000...........Program Fee
(This must be paid on the spot in order to accept a referral when we've been matched with a child; otherwise, we are passed by)
$300-$1000....Medical Fee (for doctor to review our child's medical file before we can accept him)
$3400.............Airfare for First Trip to Ethiopia
$40.................Visas for First Trip
$1600.............In Country Medical/Immigration/Official Documents for our Child
$160/day........Food/Lodging/Transportation while in Ethiopia on First Trip (price set by Agency)
$440...............Gifts in Ethiopia (for those who cared for our child)

$3400.............Airfare for Second Trip to Ethiopia

$800...............Airfare for Our Child

$40.................Visas for First Trip

$160/day........Food/Lodging/Transportation while in Ethiopia on Second Trip (price set by Agency)

$250/month....Fee Paid to Care Center 

(if it takes longer than 6 months from acceptance date to bring our child home)

When we first began this process, these finance numbers were completely overwhelming. While they are still overwhelming, I am learning to recognize and believe this truth: $30,000 is just a drop in the bucket to God. (Side note: If you're able to adopt more than one child, usually the only fees you have to pay twice are the Program Fee-which lessens with the growing age of the child or if they're a sibling group- some medical/official documents and airfare.) I am absolutely amazed at how God has provided for our needs so far. We're almost half way through these finances!! Our next "mountain" that we're saving for is the $11,000 Program Fee for Ethiopia. We have to reach that number before we can accept a referral. Honestly, we're waiting a bit to send in our dossier until we can get going on this program fee. I don't think I would be able to say 'no' once our agency sends us a picture of a child.

So to those who have been reading this blog post: I do not want to communicate that every Christian should adopt a child. No, that's not necessarily God's path for everyone. However, perhaps you are thinking about adopting, but covering the costs seems impossible to you. Let's put this into perspective a bit. Our God owns it all. Of course, you must be wise and prudent, but when God calls us to something-He makes it possible. Many people would take out a car loan for a $30,000 car, but wouldn't consider adopting a child for the same "price." I'm not trying to guilt you into anything...but just recognize that God certainly has the ability to provide for our financial needs, especially when we are following His direction. Don't let the financial barrier close your entire mind on the matter. After all, this is a life. $30,000 is a small price to pay for a life.

Looking forward to those (ever growing) Ethiopian orphan numbers being 5 million minus 1. :)