Female infant adopted in 2010 through Elolam care for kids in Debre Zeit and AHOPE in Addis using Adoption Advocates International (WA, USA). Child is from Debre Zeit / Bishoftu, Oromia Region.
Submitted by Adoptive parent searching for child’s Ethiopian family
Child’s Information
Gender of Child female
Ethnicity of Child UNKNOWN
Additional information about child’s ethnicity Born in Oromo region but possibly Guraje
Year of child’s birth 2009
Ethiopian birth Name of Child unknown
Name of child at the time of adoption Derartu
Ethiopian family members’ names unknown but relinquished by Shitaye Welde – not a family member
Age when child entered care center or orphanage 0-12 months
Year child entered a care center or orphanage 2010
Age of child at adoption 0-12 months
Year child was adopted 2010
Number of siblings/cousins adopted with the child 0
Number of siblings/cousins adopted to other families 0
Additional information about the child Left by teenage birthmother with a woman named Shitaye Welde located in town of Debre Zeit / Bishoftu. Birthmother’s name is unknown. Baby taken to Elolam Care for Kids in Debre Zeit by Shitaye Welde, then moved to AHOPE in Addis Ababa, and then adopted to USA. This took place between Jan-Jun of 2010. Birthmother may have worked at a Navy/Army cafe in Debre Zeit for a period of time.
Child has small fish shaped birthmark on inside of her right upper arm.
Child has health issues that mother probably also has. Mother may have had contact with Catholic Charities in Debre Zeit.
Adoption Agency Information
Adoption agency through which the child was processed Adoption Advocates International (WA, USA)
Other adoption agency workers Possibly a Sister Birtukan through Elolam care for kids and also Hiwat the former director of Elolam – connected to Celebrate Children International.
Country to which the child was adopted USA
Orphanage/care center #1
Orphanage or care center through which the child was processed Elolam care for kids in Debre Zeit – director was Hiwot Abera
Orphanage or care center representative Elolam care for kids in Debre Zeit – director was Hiwot Abera
Other orphanage or care center workers Alemtsehaye (nanny), Birtukan (social worker)
Region of orphanage or care center Oromia Region
Zone of orphanage or care center Addis Ababa – Addis Ababa Region
City/Town of orphanage or care center Bishoftu
Additional information about this orphanage or care center Very small care center with very few children in Debre Zeit town.
Orphanage/care center #2
Orphanage or care center through which the child was processed A Hope for Children (AHOPE)
Region of orphanage or care center Addis Ababa Region
Zone of orphanage or care center Addis Ababa – Addis Ababa Region
City/Town of orphanage or care center Addis Ababa
Information for Relinquished Children
Name of person who relinquished child Shitaye Welde
Relationship of person who relinquished child Mother abandoned baby to Shitaye – unknown reason
Region where child was relinquished Oromia Region
Zone where child was relinquished UNKNOWN
City/town where child was relinquished Bishoftu / Debre Zeit
Police Officer involved with the case Tesfaye Mekonnen
Additional information that could be useful in making a match We believe that there is incorrect information from the police officer and that Bertukan, the social worker at Elolam care for kids could provide more information but she was frightened when we attempted to search in 2012.
