FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

How much does it cost to start an AFAA adoption?
Only the $250 application fee.

Can we work with your agency when we live in another state?
Yes, AFAA works with adopting families across the U.S. and also families across the Free World.

How does a family process the authentications required by African governments?
Mail everything to AFAA and we will handle it for you – the cost is a part of your AFAA adoption fee.

My husband and I are both 50; can we adopt from Africa?
Yes!

I want to adopt a baby from Africa, is that possible?
Yes, the youngest child AFAA has placed was a 4-month-old baby girl at the time she joined her new family.

I want to adopt from Africa but cannot take time off work to travel to Africa to pick up my child. What can I do?
Drive to the largest airport in your state and AFAA will bring your child to you.

I've been divorced; can I adopt from Africa?
Yes!

How long does an adoption take?
From the time we have 100% of an approved family's paperwork until your child arrives is approximately 6 to 12 months.

Are the children healthy?
Some are, some aren't, most are. Children with much wrong, including diarrhea, often die in Africa. Medicine is often not available or affordable. Orphans who have medical problems often have heart problems, have been blinded, a few have polio, some have TB, some have Malaria, some test Hepotitis B+, but there aren't many; the sick children become God's Angels!

How old are the kids?
Children's ages range from infancy through 15 years old.

We hear about famine, war and HIV/AIDS – Africa seems to always have major problems.
Drought in Sub-Saharan Africa is a way of life. Famine - in the sense of mass starvation - has been rare. War is far to often, HIV/AIDS is growing in Africa much like it is in other parts of the world.

Does AFAA place babies or only older children?
AFAA places children of all ages, from infants to teenagers, single children and siblings, and occasionally twins and triplets. There are always more boys and older children waiting for a family.

Is it expensive to adopt through AFAA?
We believe our costs are some of the lowest in international adoption.

Do we have to travel to Africa?
NO. We have taken a few adopting parents along and many have struggled, with poverty. You can travel - we often escort for the low cost of $1500 for one or two children.

What are those things on my child's face and body?
They look like a wart and they can be anywhere, sometimes even on your newly adopted child's eyelids. They are often Molluscum Contagion. Caused by a virus, usually contagious in group settings and they don't look very nice. Sometimes they spread, sometimes they go away by themselves - don't be surprised if after your child is home a few months they wake up in the morning and a few are in the bed linens. How to take care of them?? See a dermatologist, follow their advice, don't be surprised if they suggest doing nothing for a few months. Do not bathe other children in the same bath water of the infected children - they can be contagious.

What is that stuff on my child's scalp?
Looks like old fashion "cradle cap" but it isn't. It's often a fungus, more often from East Africa, rarely from West Africa. Tough to get rid of. See a dermatologist. One thing that often works is "Seleene Gold Shampoo" - a prescription. Apply with a Q-tip - might work, worth a try.

What is that stuff on my child's skin?
Small bumps, itch like crazy? Sounds like scabies - very common in children's group settings. Can be anywhere, all over the body, between toes and fingers, etc. See a dermatologist - you too can get them.

What is that smell that makes us want to move out when my child has a bowel movement?
Sounds like Giardia, a not so pleasant parasite - sort of like having the flu for a long time. Lots of gas, bloated bellies, skinny bodies, not much muscle, and a "distinctive odor", like nothing you want to smell again. Tough to get rid of. Clears up with medication, can return. See an infectious disease doctor. Some doctors say it's contagious, some say it isn't. Often from drinking water. Very common in the 3rd World, lots of it in North America too, sometimes called 'Beaver Fever'.

What are those things crawling out of my child's diaper, bottom or mouth?
Yup, we're serious, worms, sometimes get coughed up. All different types, some are roundworm, tapeworm, Ascaris, hookworm and many more. Tough to detect - labs often miss the eggs. Can be stubborn to treat. Vermox and Combatrim are often used. Lab tests should definitely be repeated: We "dewormed" our kids three times, we'd get rid of them, we thought, they'd return because the medicine missed eggs. See your pediatrician, see an infectious disease doctor if necessary - push your pediatrician to treat - some want to wait for a positive lab test which is difficult, some want to wait to see the worms, in the meantime your child is suffering.