We are excited to announce that our first family adopting from Burkina Faso has been matched with a child! The family waited seven months from submitting their dossier to Burkina Faso’s central authority to receiving news this month that they were matched with a child.
Burkina Faso is a country located in western Africa and is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Burkina Faso is a great option for families who are looking to adopt a child in need from Africa. Because Burkina Faso is a Hague Convention Country, information provided to adoptive families when they are matched with a child or children is quite substantial. Here is what you can expect with your Burkina Faso referral:
- Letter from the Burkina Faso’s Central Authority announcing they have been proposed a match
- Birth Certificate for the child
- Social Investigative Report on the background on the child. The social investigative report provides the adoptive parents with information that is known regarding the child including historical information such as how the child became abandoned or relinquished, where the child was found, who found the child and a timeline of what happened after the child was found. The report includes an assessment of the child, the child’s nationality, religion and birth parents, if known. Additionally the report will provide what is known about the child currently, where the child resides (whether an orphanage or foster home), a psychological assessment (if applicable depending on the age of the child), personality of the child and whether or not the child is in school.
- Placement Form
- Medical / lab reports for the child. Medical reporting is quite extensive including blood testing for several illnesses and diseases.
- In some cases, a follow up report on the child
Because Burkina Faso is very protective of the privacy and safety of the children, what is not included at referral time is a photo of the child. Photos of children are not permitted by Burkina Faso’s central authority until after the adoptive parents formally accepted the referral of a child and the adoptive parents advise the central authority that they have accepted the proposed match.
MLJ was pleased with the information provided with the adoptive family’s referral information and looks forward to additional families in our Burkina Faso program being matched with children in need! MLJ celebrates this great milestone with our Burkina Faso adoptive family!
For additional information about adopting from Burkina Faso, please contact us.
Photo Credit: Domus Medica
Sonja Brown
Sonja Brown works as the International Program Director for MLJ Adoptions’ programs in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti and Samoa. Sonja is also proud to work directly with our Individualized Country Program families who are adopting from countries where no adoption service providers currently operate.
Sonja Brown
Sonja Brown works as the International Program Director for MLJ Adoptions’ programs in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti and Samoa. Sonja is also proud to work directly with our Individualized Country Program families who are adopting from countries where no adoption service providers currently operate.