Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Why Ethiopia?

Today I'm going to answer the question of why we decided to adopt from Ethiopia.




Well, I touched on that a little in the first post. We were drawn to Etiopia; I can't explain exactly why except that God completely had his hand in the process. We were inspired by other families.I saw signs everywhere that I was on the right track! Our eyes were opened to some staggering statistics, which I will let speak for themselves:
  • According to UNICEF, there are approximately 6 million orphans in Ethiopia, a country the size of Texas.
  • The average life expectancy is 55.
  • About 36% of adults are literate.
  • 38% of children under five are underweight.
  • The average annual income is about $160 US dollars.
  • 1 in 10 children die before their 5th birthday.
  • 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old.
  • 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition.
  • Ethiopia's median age is 17.8 years.
  • Between 60-150 million kids live on the street.
  • 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS (6th highest in the world).
  • 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS.
  • Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school.
  • 88% of children will never attend secondary school.
  • Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.
  • 82% of the population live on less than $1 a day.
WOW!  I don't know about you, but these facts are deeply saddening to me.  I would think about this at night when I went to sleep.  I just couldn't ignore it!

I wanted to leave you-my 10 followers : ) with this video.  Watch it!  It can articulate the question "Why Ethiopia? so much better than I can!
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8 comments:

  1. I'm loving your post! I'm super excited for ya'll!

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  2. I love being able to read not only what you are doing but getting to hear your mind and heart speak is simply moving! God Bless, Jennifer!

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  3. I can't wait to be able to see the new baby!!! Thank you for sharing this with us Mrs. Wayman!:)

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  4. I (and Ryan) am soooo happy for you and Christopher. I had no idea...I just stumbled upon this via facebook. Ryan and I have always wanted to adopt (no time soon) so I am very interested in your posts. You and Christopher are defiantly in our prayers. :)

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  5. Thank you girls (and Ryan!):) Stephanie, we'll be glad to talk about adoption if yall ever want to. We hope that the process moves quickly and smoothly! And I miss you Kendra!

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  6. Congrats on your adoption, such a beautiful choice you have made for your family! Looking forward to continuing to read your blog...

    www.ktdlzll.blogspot.com

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  8. so awesome! I am new to this blog but my husband & I have also felt led to "adopt first". It is so encouraging to read about others who have felt the same calling and are on this journey as well!

    loveserviceandgrace.blogspot.com

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