A Long-Awaited Journey Back to Ethiopia

Surprise! We’re thrilled to announce our inaugural Ethiopian Ties group trip, happening this December 21–29, 2025!

The last time I traveled to Ethiopia it was the fall of 2009. I was working at the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS), a now defunct child advocacy organization. I spent long days meeting with government officials in hopes to better protect children who found themselves in the ad hoc child welfare system created by NGO’s, intercountry adoptions organizations, and government agencies with limited funding. I don’t remember much from those hours in conference rooms and with government officials, what I remember about Ethiopia is the kindness of people I met, the life that pumped through the traditional dances, the walks along the banks of lake Awassa, and, of course, the food!

Rebecca in Ethiopia 2010

This trip has been YEARS in the making

I started at The Ties Program in 2017 as adjunct staff in Guatemala. During my interview for adjunct staff, then founders and directors and I started to talk about trips for adoptees and their loved ones to Ethiopia. Two years later in October of 2019, I became the Program Manager for our Guatemala program. The Ties team hadn’t started their Ethiopia trips yet so began to plan a trip for December 2020.

We all know what happened to that.

In addition to COVID, there was the civil unrest in regions of Ethiopia. For FIVE YEARS, It kept feeling like the timing wasn’t right. And then, this January things started to come together. COVID wasn’t an issue affecting the majority of travelers, areas of Ethiopia have had enough sustained calm for us to feel comfortable, we found a wonderful in-country partner. Finally, the was right, so our team moved fast and put together a trip that offers the best Ethiopia has to offer in Addis Ababa and Awassa, all within the comfort of traveling with other adoptees and their families, with our expert U.S. and Ethiopian based team.

I’m so excited to bring this trip to Ethiopian adoptees and their loved ones! 

Want more Info?

Created especially for Ethiopian adoptees and their loved ones, this journey blends cultural immersion, meaningful reconnection, and shared community experiences.

Early Bird Discount: Save $200 per person when you register by July 1!

Request the info packet to explore the itinerary, pricing, and what makes this trip so special.