Costs and Fundraising...

Several friends have asked about the cost of this adoption, and if we are fundraising. :)

I never realized before we started this process just how expensive it is, as I'm sure it is with most people reading this now.  But, although it is crazy expensive, nothing is impossible with God!  I know that He has called us to love and care for His children, and He will help provide through our fundraisers, hard work, prayers, grants and supporters...His plan will come to fruition!

I have copied information from our agency's website to educate everyone about the many costs associated with International adoption. Sorry about the formatting...I could not change that part with my limited tech skills. :)

AGENCY FEES
Note: The following Agency Fees will be paid directly to Lifeline in installments as listed below.
Application Fee	$250.00
Lifeline Children's Services Fee	$5,000.00
Orphan Care Sustainability Projects ***	$1,500.00
Home Study Fee*	$1,500.00
Post Adoption Services	$750.00

To be paid in the following installments:

Out-of-State Residents:
Agency Fees listed above are to be paid in 4 installments.
Paid with application	$250.00
Paid upon application acceptance	$2,416.67
Payable at the completion of home study	$2,416.67
Paid when dossier is sent to Ethiopia	$2,416.67

Plus these fees:

OUT OF POCKET U.S. ADOPTION EXPENSES
Note: The following estimated expenses will be paid out-of-pocket during
the home study process and the preparation of your dossier. For families
with children a few additional documents will be needed.
Fingerprint Fee (For Home Study)	$108.00
Passport pictures (8 copies)	$20.00
Passports for two parents	$240.00
Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee (includes fingerprinting for 2 adults)	$890.00
NCFA Parent Training	$195.00
International Adoption Clinic Seminar	$150.00
Birth Certificates (1 copy of each)	$26.00
Marriage License (1 copy)	$13.00
Dossier Authentication	$575.00
FedEx fees (dossier sent to Lifeline)	$45.00
FedEx fees (authenication shipping)	$300.00
Referral Fee for one child*** (Due when accepting referral)	$9,700.00
Medical Reports for home study (varies depending on health insurance coverage)*
**Referral Fee of $5500 for each additional child

Estimated Total Out of Pocket: $12,262

Plus these costs:

IN-COUNTRY EXPENSES WHILE IN ETHIOPIA
Note: Based on two trips for two people, adopting one child.)
The following estimted In-Country Expenses will be paid either 1) directly to the provider
2) will be hand carried to Ethiopia as indicated by your Travel Advisor. This estimated amount is based on travel
for two adults to and from Ethiopia, including all in-country fees with the exception of personal spending money
and tips.
Airfare (tickets for 2 and return flight for your child after second trip)	$7,000.00
Hotel Accomindations	$700.00
Parent Visas	$80.00
Transportation in Ethiopia	$500.00
Child's US Visa Fee	$230.00
Food (per person)	$200.00
*These are strictly estimates and change often. Some costs depend on
personal preference.
Estimated Total of In-country Expenses	$8,710.00

 

FEES: Estimated Ethiopia Adoption Costs: $28,472

Wowzers.  That's a lot!

So...about that second question I've been asked: "Are you fundraising?"  That'd be a great big YES!
We humbly ask that if you are able, please consider donating to our fund.  There is a tab at the top of our site that says 'donate.'  You can securely donate through PayPal.  Or, you could email me at brittanischmidt@yahoo.com to inquire about an address where checks can be sent.  Of course, there are always other fundraisers, such as the Just Love Coffee shop (on the right of the blog) where you can purchase Fair Trade items and we get a small portion of the proceeds deposited into our account, to be used for adoption costs. We are planning many other fundraisers for the near (and more distant) future, as this is a lengthy process.  But, if you have any ideas for fundraisers, please pass them my way!

Thanks friends for your love, support and prayers!
Have a blessed day!