Nightlight’s Malawi program began in 2018. Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, is defined by its topography of highlands split by the Great Rift Valley and enormous Lake Malawi. The lake’s southern end falls within Lake Malawi National Park – sheltering diverse wildlife from colorful fish to baboons – and its clear waters are popular for diving and boating. Malawi is often referred to as the “Warm Heart” of Africa. The fees for an adoption from Malawi are reasonable, and we estimate that the process will take approximately 2 to 3 years from application to completion depending upon the type of child you are seeking to adopt.
Children in Malawi are rarely abandoned. They are sent to an orphanage by extended family after a mother’s death, inability to feed or clothe, and for issues regarding poverty related to social problems and the parents’ illnesses. Families traveling to Malawi to adopt their children will receive a full and final adoption decree from the Malawi courts. Nightlight is committed to helping families prepare for the adoption of children from Malawi by providing educational information on possible developmental delays and health issues.
To learn more about our Malawi Adoption Program, you may contact us, call our office (502) 423-5780, or directly email Lisa Whitaker, at LisaW@nightlight.org.
Malawi adoption is a wonderful program for families desiring to adopt children 3 years and older. Children living in poverty and raised in institutional care often have both developmental and emotional needs. There are also children available for adoption that have minor and correctable to moderate and severe special needs. Children who would otherwise have little hope for a future can have a better life with the emotional and physical security that a loving family can offer, along with the availability of excellent medical care in the United States.
Most loving, stable families qualify to adopt from Malawi. However, certain factors could keep you from adopting in general or from Malawi in particular, as each country has its own rules as to who can adopt. Malawi requires adoptive families to have a connection to the country of Malawi. This connection must be a continued connection and it is preferred that you have traveled to Malawi in the past. The orphanage requires that families must be Christian families who attend church regularly. Before applying, please consult with Nightlight regarding any sensitive issues that may apply to you, such as a divorce, a mental health issue, or a criminal history.
Your letter of intent to adopt will be sent to the representative in Malawi and to the National Social Welfare office in charge of International Adoptions. You will receive a referral of a child and documents will be obtained from the orphanage where the child resides. These documents will be sent to you for review. The referral will include a brief social history of the child, the current health and development of the child, and lab test results for HIV. We highly recommend that you have this information reviewed by a doctor who specializes in international adoption before you make a decision. You will have a referral review with the social services manager. Once you decide to accept a referral, and have returned the commitment form and letter of acceptance, you will be considered “matched” with the child. The attorney will prepare the petition and put together information on the child’s file and add this information to your dossier to file with the court. Once you receive a court date, you will travel to Malawi. After the court order is issued, you will file your I-600 with the US Embassy and take your child for their visa medical appointment. Once these things are approved, the US Embassy will invite you to a final visa appointment. You will then travel home with your child. The adoption trip should be approximately 6 weeks long. The US Embassy will investigate all I-600 applications and the investigation can take up to 6 months.
Nightlight Christian Adoptions is committed to preparing families for the adoption of a child with special needs. We provide pre- and post-adoption education and information regarding medical resources.
Please contact Lisa Whitaker at LisaW@nightlight.org or call our office (502) 423-5780 with any questions.
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