Landscape and Climate 

The mountainous regions of Ethiopia consistantly see a warm temperature all year round. Average day time temperatures range from 86 F during the day and plunging sometimes to almost freezing at night. Eastern low land exibit drier desert like conditions and more sporadic rain during the wet April - September seasons.



Summary Fact Sheet

Official Name:

 Ethiopia

Capital:

 Addis Ababa

Type of Government:

 Federal Republic

Population:

 73,053,286

Area:

 East Africa, west of Somalia

Major Ethnic Groups:

 Amhara, Oromo, Tigre, Sidamo, Shan Kella and others.

Languages:

 Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Somoli, Arabic, English

Religions:

 Muslim, Orthodox, Animist and others.

Unit of Currency:

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National Flag:

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Date of Independence:

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Freedom Day:

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Ethiopia’s population is highly diverse comprising of the Oromo, Amhara, and Tigreans who speak a Semitic or Cushitic language and make up more than three-fourths of the population. Ethiopia also has over 77 different ethnic groups with their own distinct languages. Amharic is the official language besides use of local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya in some areas.
 
A great deal of the population remains extremely vulnerable, due to limited access to basic services like water, health care and education. Even with a successful harvest and substantial economic growth in 2004, poverty remains widespread. An ongoing “no peace–no war” border dispute with Eritrea also threatens Ethiopia’s political stability.
 
Ethiopia is home to more than 4.5 million orphans and other vulnerable children. At least 720,000 children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. Orphans have lower school attendance rates, poorer nutrition and higher rates of illness.
 
Developed in  the year 2001, The Mission of TEARS has adoption program is run in collaboration with CAFAC international adoption agency based in Manitoba. 
Once approved by the Ministry, the family’s file is sent over to Ethiopia through CAFAC. Children are proposed based on availability through the agency representative in the country from one of the associated licensed orphanages.
 
Notice to Ontario families regarding Ethoipia:
Under the Inter Country Adoption Act governing all international adoptions, the Ontario Provincial Ministry of Child and Family Services is the regulatory body. As per the directive of the Ministery, all Ontario families must first register within the province of Ontario using a licensed international adoption agency within Ontario. In particular, Ontario families choosing Ethiopia should first register with Mission of TEARS who then liaisons with CAFAC. All adoption fees in accordance with Ontario guidelines for funding must be handled by the Ontario agency to properly be in accordance with provincial regulations.
 
Once approved, the process involves:
• Awaiting a child referral from one of the orphanages
• Seeking the consent of the family in conjunction with the
   agency and social worker and obtaining the approval of the Ministry.
• Awaiting the Court process, finalization of adoption and immigration
   procedures to be completed.
• Travel to the country to escort the child back to Canada
 
Ethiopian adoptions can take between 20 and 24 months from start to finish.
CAFAC organizes all travel and arrangements. Representatives meet families at the airport and arrange for accommodations, local travel and all overseas adoption procedures.