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Introduction to BFAS

Better Future Adoption Services (BFAS) is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Service for domestic and international adoption. BFAS places healthy orphaned and abandoned Ethiopian children with caring and loving United States families. Children available for adoption include infants and sibling groups from birth to 18 years of age. BFAS is centered on the notion that children adopted from Ethiopia should be assisted in maintaining a sense of cultural identity and connectedness to their country of origin.

Why adopt from Ethiopia?

There are an estimated 1.2 million orphans in Ethiopia. In most cases, abandoned children who are found by police in hidden places are taken to the orphanages. A growing number of children are orphaned because of infectious diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Others are abandoned due to poverty. According to the 1990 Family & Fertility survey, infant mortality is 112 per 1000 live births. The 1994 census report finds that infant mortality is 116 per 1000 live births. Some studies show that an estimated 5 million children live under extremely difficult circumstances. The head of the country's adoption authority admits that the $115 million a month needed to care for orphans in Ethiopia is simply out of the question, when compared to the country's annual health budget of $140 million.

Families who understand these problems, as well as those who are attracted by the good looks of Ethiopians, prefer to adopt children from Ethiopia. Our programs are designed to benefit both the children and the adoptive parents in the families we serve. A team of well-qualified and highly reputable persons both from the child’s country of origin and the U.S. provide culturally sensitive, quality services. Children receive the best care at the orphanages BFAS partners with in Ethiopia. (Please see pictures)

BFAS Background

The idea of starting an adoption program to place children from Ethiopia with United States citizens was originated by Ethiopians who understood the plights of orphaned and abandoned children in the country. They identified the needs of children adopted from Ethiopia and found it important to address cultural and social adjustment issues that arise as children and youth try to adapt to their new home and life in the U.S.

BFAS established a very efficient processing system in Addis Ababa, which enables it to place children in a very short processing time.

Agitu Wodajo, the Executive Director of BFAS, has rich experience in community services and has demonstrated her deep engagement in both the U.S. and Ethiopia. She played a fundamental role in initiating Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs, which is now responsible for overseeing adoptions in the country.”

Agitu Wodajo's Resume (pdf)

BFAS Adoption Application

Please download and print the BFAS Adoption Application. Mail the completed application to the Better Future Adoption Services office.

News and Announcements

We congratulate our nine families who brought their children home in April and May. If any one of these families would like to share their experience on our website, and be contacted by prospective families, please contact BFAS via e-mail or phone.

We have flyers describing our post-adoption services and Ethiopian guesthouse.

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