Here is a brief overview of our country program. Click on the country’s name for more information about our program there.

West Sands Adoptions can now place children through the China Special Needs Adoption Program! Contact us for information.

Ethiopia Adoptions

West Sands Adoptions was the 10th Agency to receive a licence in Ethiopia in 2003 and received re-licensing in 2010 under the new Ethiopian  licensing  requirements.   We are working with 4  Orphanages  with a total of 7 locations.   Children of all ages are available for adoption, including infants, older children, HIV positive, and special needs children.   The program takes on average twelve to eighteen months to receive your child. We are excited to help you adopt from Ethiopia. You will love the beautiful children and wonderful people in this unique country. (more…)

China Adoptions

Why Adopt from China?

You may have heard of adoption slowdowns in China. Where most adoptions once happened there fairly quickly, families waiting to adopt a healthy child may have to wait several years. So why would you want to consider China adoption? China adoption is still a reliable adoption program! It is generally void of corruption that is so often found in other international adoption programs, which also makes it less expensive than other adoption programs. West Sands Adoptions has been licensed with the China Center of Adoption Affairs (C.C.A.A.) for China adoptions for more than 10 years. In 2009, the C.C.A.A. approved West Sands to provide adoption services through their special needs adoption program. Families who adopt through this program can complete their adoption process in a year or less, depending on their circumstances.

Isn’t Adopting a Special Needs Child Scary?

First of all, it’s important to educate yourself on the type of child you want to adopt. There are hundreds of special needs children available for adoption in China. They range in age from about 10 months to about 12 years. Among the needs represented are vision and hearing impairments, heart conditions (some are minor), cleft lip and/or palate (some of these have been repaired), ptosis, scars, nevus, post-operative conditions, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, albinism, missing or extra fingers or toes, club foot or other limb abnormalities, and many others. Healthy children over age 7 or 8 may also be included in the list of children available. Perhaps “special needs” sounds scary to you, but you have always worn glasses, or know a family member with hearing aids. Perhaps your birth children have been through surgeries. When a special need is something you are used to, it no longer seems like a special need. That is the case with many of these children. Their needs may be relatively minor, and they are looking for safe, permanent homes. If you are hoping to provide a loving, safe haven for a child with more serious needs, we can help you with that as well. We have been inspired by our families who have come together through this program. Their children are truly beautiful. Please contact us if you feel that this option might be right for you. (more…)