This is a continuation of a series of posts regarding international adoption country programs which have HIV positive children waiting for families. Lesotho is a tiny country in the middle of South Africa. The HIV/AIDS rates are among the highest in the world. If you are in the United States, Canada, Sweden or the Netherlands, you can adopt from Lesotho. Each of those countries has one adoption agency – in America it’s Americans for African Adoptions.
Single women and married couples may adopt (I don’t know if single men are welcome to apply). Adopting parents should be at least 25 years old and there are no upper age limits. Approximately 2 weeks of travel required. I have not seen any restrictions on family size. A medical form is required, but I’m not sure if an HIV test is required for adopting parents.
In US contact AfAA for costs, timelines, eligibility and current waiting children. In Canada contact Sunrise Adoption Services, in the Netherlands, contact Stichting Kind en Toekomost: skt@xs4all.nl and in Sweden contact Adoption Centrum: birgitta.l@adoptionscentrum.se
As of July 24, 2010, AfAA was advocating for a 20 month old boy who is HIV+ and waiting for a family.
Further Research:
YouTube: Lesotho HIV Orphanage
Positively Orphaned 