Overview
Burkina Faso is a West African country with more than half of its population experiencing extreme poverty. Many in Burkina Faso have little access to health and social services and face food insecurity, and the population is growing rapidly. Only a few agencies work with this country to process adoption.
Children Available:
- Age: infancy to teens.
- Families who adopt from Burkina Faso should expect that the child they are matched with will have experienced malnutrition and/or been exposed to malaria. Children may also have additional known medical needs including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Sickle Cell and HIV+, depending on what the family is open to.
- Children reside in orphanages or foster care. The orphanages in Burkina Faso are funded both by the government and private donors, and are generally well-maintained.
- Children may be placed for adoption due to extreme poverty, lack of acceptance towards unwed mothers, lack of basic social services, and loss of parents due to the AIDS crisis.
At time of referral, children are ages toddler to 10 years of age (some older children may be available). Children are tested for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis C prior to referral. Children come from orphanages in Burkina Faso. Some children may come from a private Christian orphanages. Special needs range from minor to severe.
Parent qualifications for Adopting from Burkina Faso:
- Adoptive parents may be 30 - 50 years of age and must be at least 15 years and no more than 45 years older than the child being adopted.
- Only Married couples can apply. Minimum of 5 years of marriage
- No more than 4 children living in the home
- Parents should be in good physical and psychological health.
- All visitors to Burkina Faso are required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry.
- If you are concerned that you have a disability that could affect your adoption, please contact your agency.
Travel: Both adoptive parents travel to Burkina Faso to meet their child prior to the court hearing. U.S. immigration laws also require both adoptive parents to meet the child prior to court in order for the child to automatically receive U.S. citizenship upon entering the U.S.A.
Time Line:
- Home Study and Dossier Preparation: approximately six months.
- Approximate Wait Time: 12-24 months after the dossier arrives in Burkina Faso. The process may be expedited if a family is open to an older child or a child with special needs.
- Completion of Adoption: 12-14 months after the family accepts a referral.
- Travel: one trip, of approximately 15 days, is required to finalize the adoption process in Burkina Faso and bring the child home.
- Burkina Faso is a Hague Convention country, which introduces stability and predictability into the international adoption process.
