How to Adopt From Burundi
“One thing that AGCI did really well was that nothing was unexpected. It’s very textbook. Nothing has surprised us and we know that we’re not alone in this. It still sucks to be in those situations, but it’s also comforting to know that it’s totally normal. Not all agencies prepare their families this way.”
OFFICIAL REFERRALS
We are so grateful for the 17 Burundian children who have been matched with 15 families so far in 2023! We believe these referrals will lead to loving forever families for vulnerable children!
FOREVER FAMILIES
One child has come home with their forever family so far in 2023! We praise God for the love of forever families!
CELEBRATING 7 YEARS
Seven years ago, AGCI celebrated our first families being united with their children in Burundi! We are grateful for all God has done in this program over the years!
BURUNDI ADOPTION OVERVIEW
*Please note that we are currently accepting limited applications for this program. If you are interested in applying, please contact our inquiry team.*
Burundi is one of the first African countries to embrace the regulations of the Hague Convention. The Central Authority in Burundi has demonstrated consistent commitment to seeing children in families through adoption. When traveling to bring your child home, adoptive families will spend approximately one week in Bujumbura, Burundi and approximately one week in Nairobi, Kenya to complete their visa process.
Christian Adoption Agency, All God’s Children International began working directly with the Central Authority in Burundi to place Burundi orphans in loving, safe, and permanent adoptive homes in 2014. Due to Burundi’s extreme poverty, there is currently an enormous need in our Burundi Adoption program. Grants are also available—over the past two years, families adopting through our Burundi program have received over $70,531 in adoption grants.
- Most children available for adoption are between the ages of 2 to 12.
- Children with medical conditions and sibling groups of all ages are also eligible.
- Families adopting from our Burundi adoption program can select the gender of their adopted child.
- Timeframe: 2-3+ years. Timeframe is from registered dossier to completion. Timeframes are dependent on family’s openness to medical conditions, gender, and age of child.
- Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting childrea
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT FROM BURUNDI?
Age of Parents
Married couples and single women between the ages of 30 and 50 years old may adopt from Burundi. Both parents must be younger than 50 years of age.
Marital Status
Couples married at least five years are welcome to adopt.
Children in Family
Couples with five or fewer minor children and single women with two or fewer minor children are welcome to adopt from Burundi.
Income
Families must have an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.
Criminal History
Applicants cannot have a criminal history.
Medical History
Applicants cannot have a past or current diagnosis of a communicable and/or life-threatening disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or the quality of life of a child. All other medical conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT FROM BURUNDI?
There are so many ways to fund your adoption! You can learn more about AGCI specific grants, adoption loans, and employee benefits and more on our How to Fund Page!
AGENCY FEES
APPLICATION: This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your desired program.
U.S. AGENCY*: Processing expenses for AGCI include, but are not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, staff training and education, state, federal, and international licensing and accreditations, oversight and supervision of cooperating agencies, post-adoption support services, communications and insurance. The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in the United States and abroad.
*If adopting siblings, agency fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover the services needed to prepare and complete your adoption home study. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for your home study agency to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
INTERNATIONAL FEES
These fees cover the cost of facilitating an international adoption in Burundi. These fees include, but are not limited to costs related to personnel, administration, training and education, legal fees, and communications associated with government and agency authorities, government fees, and care of your child prior to the completion of your adoption. (Due with completion of dossier and referral packet as indicated on fee schedule)
FEE DISCLOSURE
All fees paid to AGCI are paid in advance of service. AGCI fees are non-refundable and may not be waived. If services are terminated and a refund is due, all refunds will be processed within 60 days of withdrawal and/or closure of the adoption file upon receiving the Adoption Termination Contract.
ADDITIONAL & THIRD PARTY EXPENSES
Additional or third-party expenses are outlined in the provided Fee Schedule.
How to Adopt a Child From BURUNDI
STEP ONE
Once contracted with AGCI, your next steps are to begin your home study, education, and dossier.
STEP TWO
Once your dossier is registered, the Central Authority places families on their waiting list until a child is referred. Once information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral of the child or children matched with your family. Wait times vary depending on your family’s openness to age, number of children and identified specialized needs.
STEP THREE
Complete court process and required 30-day waiting period.
STEP FOUR
Parents travel to Burundi to meet and bring your child home! You’ll also be required to meet with the U.S. Embassy in Kenya. In-country travel typically spans 3+ weeks.
STEP FIVE
Welcome home! AGCI and Burundi require post-adoption reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on the 3, 6, and 12-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at any time for ongoing support services!
BURUNDI ADOPTION TEAM
BURUNDI IN-COUNTRY TEAM
Pierre serves as AGCI’s fulltime in-country team member in Burundi. With a legal background, and close relationships with local orphanages, Pierre works directly with the court system to advocate for children and families. Pierre facilitates all of AGCI’s in-country work as well as addresses urgent orphanage needs and problem solves how best to meet them.
AGCI IS ALSO GIVING HOPE TO ORPHANS IN BURUNDI THROUGH HOLISTIC, 24/7 CARE!
Provide
Thanks to AGCI’s intervention programs, 260 orphans have received critical access to food, shelter, education and medical care.
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADOPTING FROM BURUNDI!
