The Numbers and a Video

First, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has commented, either on facebook, on here, or in person as we have announced our news. It's funny, I had been so anxious and excited to tell everyone, but just before sharing it on facebook, I got really nervous. Would everyone be as okay with this idea as we are? I needn't have worried...you all have been wonderfully supportive, just as I thought you would be. So thank you. Your support and love has been amazing!

When we began looking at Africa for adoption, we had no idea the sheer, staggering number of orphans there. Even after seeing the numbers, they are almost too great to comprehend. But I wanted to share with you some specific numbers and facts regarding Ethiopia and the orphan crisis there...

There are over 5 million orphans in Ethiopia alone

Last year 1,724 of these children were adopted to the US. That's only .0003 percent.

1 in 10 children there die before their 1st birthday

1 in 6 children there die before their 5th birthday

Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school

60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition

1/3 of the population survive on less than $1 a day

If you take all of the kids under the age of 18 in New York, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia and remove their parents...then you would have the number of children who are orphans in Ethiopia.

And lastly, a video...We first began to see this popping up on blogs right as we reached a critical junction in our decision-making. I saw this, and knew. It is not easy to watch. It is sad. Conditions for these people are terrible. But look at the joy on their faces. See how they find happiness even in the midst of misery. These are the people my daughter will be descended from. I could not ask for more.

Ordinary Hero~ A day in the trash dump in Ethiopia from Kelly Putty on Vimeo.

(And as an FYI...the group in this video is doing absolutely amazing things in Ethiopia. If you are interested in learning more about their work, visit http://www.ordinaryhero.org/Home.html)