Quick Reference
Children:
Age: 2 months and older
Parent Requirements
Age: 25 and older
Marriage: 3 years
Estimated Process Timeline:
From dossier to referral: 2 months
From referral to travel: Immediate
Travel: 9-12 months
Children Available
Struggling from problems associated with widespread poverty and AIDS, Kenya’s orphan population has grown to an estimated 2.5 million children. For those who live in orphanages, adoption is the avenue to a brighter future. In these facilities, healthy, HIV negative boys and girls are available for adoption. The children’s ages range from two months and up.
Eligible Applicants
Couples between the ages of 25 and 65 who have been married at least 3 years.
Single women between the ages of 25 and 65.
Program & Process
The Kenya Adoption Program is a demanding one, primarily because the Kenyan government requires adoptive couples to relocate to Kenya for an 8-12 month stay, although there is current lobbying to shorten the in-country stay. During this period, adoptive parents will have a referred child (orphan) placed in their custody upon their arrival. Throughout the process, a social worker will periodically visit your home to assess the child’s well-being and the family’s adjustment. At least one of the prospective parents must reside in Kenya for three consecutive months. Both parents and child must be present for all court hearings.
Following the initial three months, three court hearings will be scheduled to process the adoption. At this time, we are unable to predict the timing of these hearings. Little Angels Network, our partner agency in Nairobi, believes that they will be completed in a 5-9 month period, making the entire stay in Kenya last 8-12 months. Adoptive parents must be prepared for the possibility of this taking longer.
The Country
The Republic of Kenya is in East Africa, bordering the Indian Sea. Struggling from problems associated with widespread poverty and AIDS, Kenya’s orphan population has grown to an estimated 2.5 million children. For those who end up in orphanages, adoption is the avenue to a brighter future. In these facilities, healthy, HIV-negative boys and girls are available for adoption.
Kenyans are gentle and kind people who place a high priority on matters of faith. Most of its 33 million people are Christian but there is also a large Muslim population as well as a sizable Hindu community. English is spoken by most Kenyans, along with their National language, Swahili. Approximately 42 tribes and associated cultures exist within Kenya and influence daily life, including government elections. Loyalty to one’s tribe is commonplace.
Kenya was colonized by England in the late 1800s. Since its emancipation, Kenya suffered under a corrupt government led by President Moi. The current leadership under President Kabaki is working diligently to fight corruption. An example of the country’s success is its thriving tourism industry. Travelers worldwide are visiting Kenya to go on Safari and experience the country’s beautiful landscape and more than abundant wildlife.