Countries and considerations - UNCC - Australia
We work with partner countries to facilitate intercountry adoptions of children under the Hague Convention. The work we do with these countries is to protect children from trafficking, illegal and ill-prepared adoptions.
Partner countries and country programs
The countries listed under partner countries are active programs. You can also read about country programs that are currently on hold, inactive or have closed.
Is intercountry adoption right for me?
Adopting a child from overseas has many challenges. It’s important you consider if intercountry adoption is right for you and your family.
If you’re unsure about adopting from overseas, you can find out more about alternatives to intercountry adoption.
How do I adopt a child from overseas?
If you decide that adopting a child from overseas is right for you and your family, you can read more about the adoption process. You can also read about other types of overseas adoptions.
Can I access adoption support?
If you, your child or your family need support you can contact the Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service.
The service provides counselling support and case management services to help with the issues and challenges unique to intercountry adoption.
UNCC Adoption Program
Facilitating Safe, Legal, and Ethical Adoptions Under the Hague Convention
Case Reference:
Applicant(s):
Trace, Katy, Gerrad, and Kent – Australia
Requested Child Profile:
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Tracy – Seeking twins, any gender, aged 3–5 years
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Katy, Gerrad, and Kent – Seeking any child, any gender, aged 3–5 years
Adoption support services (Australia
UNCC Intercountry Adoption Program
Facilitating Safe, Legal, and Ethical Adoptions Under the Hague Convention
About UNCC – United Nationals Countryless Children
United Nationals Countryless Children (UNCC) is a registered, refugee-led charity committed to protecting and supporting vulnerable, displaced, and stateless children. As part of our child welfare mission, we operate a Hague-compliant Intercountry Adoption Program, linking eligible children from our programs in Kenya and Uganda with vetted families in Australia, while ensuring full legal, ethical, and child-centered compliance throughout the process.
UNCC works in close collaboration with national adoption authorities, community welfare departments, and international child protection agencies to ensure that all adoptions:
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Are in the best interests of the child
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Follow the legal frameworks of both the child’s country of origin and Australia
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Protect children from trafficking, exploitation, and unlawful adoption practices
UNCC Regional Offices Facilitating Child Adoption
🇰🇪 UNCC – Kenya Branch
Location: Comfort Plaza, Makongeni, Thika Road, Nairobi
Contact Person: Rhoda Musyimi
Phone: +254 715 177 103
Email: rhodamusyimi234@gmail.com
🇺🇬 UNCC – Uganda Branch
Location: Driver Corner, Terrego District, Arua
Managing Director: Kevin Nabbowa
Email: kevijathi@gmail.com
Additional Contact: Joy Ali
How Intercountry Adoption Works with UNCC
UNCC facilitates adoptions under The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which ensures:
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Transparency and legal verification of a child’s eligibility for adoption
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Safeguards against child trafficking
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Full documentation and approval from central authorities in both countries
🇦🇺 For Australian Citizens Wishing to Adopt a Child from Kenya or Uganda
To adopt a child through UNCC’s Intercountry Adoption Program, prospective Australian adoptive parents must meet the following:
General Eligibility Criteria (as per Australian Law):
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Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
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Be over 25 years old (at least one applicant in a couple)
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Meet the legal, psychological, and financial suitability criteria
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Pass a home study assessment conducted by the Australian state or territory adoption authority
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Receive approval for intercountry adoption through the Australian Central Authority (Department of Social Services)
Adoption Process Overview – Kenya & Uganda to Australia
1. Application & Pre-Approval (Australia)
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Apply through your State or Territory Central Adoption Authority
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Complete home study assessment and education seminars
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Obtain approval for intercountry adoption
2. Matching with a Child (via UNCC)
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After approval, your profile is sent to UNCC Kenya or Uganda, where our local team identifies children legally cleared for adoption
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UNCC works with local authorities to confirm the child is eligible under The Hague Convention and no suitable local placement exists
3. Legal Adoption Proceedings (Kenya/Uganda Courts)
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Adoptive parents may be required to travel and reside for a specified time in the child’s country of origin
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Kenya: Minimum 3-month residency before adoption finalization
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Uganda: Traditionally 12-month residency is required, but exceptions may be granted with court approval or Guardianship Orders
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The adoption decree is issued by the High Court in the respective country
4. Visa & Travel to Australia
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Apply for a Child (Subclass 102) Visa through the Australian Department of Home Affairs
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The adopted child must meet health and character checks
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Once approved, the child can legally enter and live in Australia with full adoption status
UNCC’s Role in Intercountry Adoption
UNCC acts as a licensed child welfare partner, with responsibilities including:
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Identifying adoptable children through legal channels
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Conducting family tracing to ensure children are truly without caregivers
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Ensuring legal adoption status under Kenyan and Ugandan law
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Coordinating with Australian authorities for post-placement support
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Offering pre- and post-adoption counseling to both families and children
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Monitoring for ethical practices and full compliance with international standards
Adoption Support Services
Post-adoption, families can access counseling and support through:
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UNCC’s community and child wellbeing team
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Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service (ICAFSS) – in Australia
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Cultural education, adjustment support, and community connections
Stay Connected with UNCC
Website: www.uncc.agency (coming soon)
Facebook: facebook.com/unccagency
Email (General Inquiries): www.uncc.agency/contact page
Important Notes
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UNCC does not charge illegal adoption fees. Administrative costs are fully documented and legally filed with both national and international authorities.
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UNCC supports domestic and kinship adoption first, before exploring intercountry adoption, in line with international standards.
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All adoption matches are based on the best interests of the child, not the preferences of prospective adoptive parents.
“Every child deserves a loving home and legal protection. UNCC is committed to safe, ethical, and transparent adoptions that change lives—with dignity, respect, and the child’s future at the center.” – UNCC Leadership
Current Intercountry Adoption Request – Kenya (Pending Assessment)
Case Reference:
Applicant(s):
Trace, Katy, Gerrad, and Kent – Australia
Requested Child Profile:
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Tracy – Seeking twins, any gender, aged 3–5 years
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Katy, Gerrad, and Kent – Seeking any child, any gender, aged 3–5 years
Status Update – Kenya
As of the current reporting period, Ms. Rhoda Musyimi, Regional Country Director for Kenya at United Nationals Countryless Children (UNCC), has actively engaged with over five registered children’s homes and orphanage institutions in the Nairobi and Thika regions.
Preliminary Finding:
Twin siblings matching the requested age group have been identified, however:
Assessment Status:
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Child Welfare Assessments have not yet been conducted due to ongoing communication barriers between the orphanage homes and the local children’s officers.
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Required documentation regarding the children's legal status, parental background, and adoption eligibility under Kenyan law is pending submission and verification.
🇰🇪 Legal Framework for Child Adoption in Kenya (Via Charity or NGO)
Under the Children Act, 2022 of Kenya, all child adoption activities must be managed in accordance with national law and aligned with international conventions, including the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (ratified by Kenya in 2007).
The key legal provisions concerning NGO- or charity-led child assessments include:
Legal Requirements for Assessing a Child for Adoption in Kenya:
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Legal Declaration of Abandonment or Orphan Status:
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The child must be declared legally free for adoption by the Adoption Committee under the Department of Children’s Services (DCS).
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Proof of efforts to trace family/relatives must be documented.
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Social Inquiry Report:
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A comprehensive social investigation report must be completed by a registered child protection officer or a licensed adoption agency.
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This includes health records, background verification, psychological evaluations, and welfare assessment.
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Orphanage and NGO Role:
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Orphanage homes are not authorized to independently release children for adoption.
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They must coordinate with the local Sub-County Children's Officer, and in turn, submit the case to the national Adoption Committee.
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Partner NGO or Charity Role (e.g., UNCC):
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May assist in identifying children, initiating welfare checks, and facilitating communication between child welfare officers, institutions, and potential adoptive families.
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UNCC cannot bypass legal procedures, but it supports compliance and ensures all processes are child-focused and legally sound.
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Court Approval:
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Final adoption must be granted by the High Court of Kenya, following a hearing and submission of all required documents.
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Next Steps:
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UNCC Kenya (through Ms. Rhoda Musyimi) will continue liaising with the involved children's homes to:
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Confirm legal availability of the identified twins.
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Schedule and conduct a formal social inquiry assessment in coordination with the Department of Children’s Services.
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Ensure that all necessary paperwork, including medical records and abandonment declarations, are submitted.
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Awaiting formal confirmation from Trace (Australia) and clearance from the Australian Central Authority to proceed.
UNCC’s Role:
As a registered humanitarian charity, UNCC is committed to:
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Ensuring that all child placements are in the best interest of the child.
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Preventing unlawful or ill-prepared adoptions.
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Upholding full compliance with Kenya’s Children Act, international human rights law, and the Hague Convention.
For direct coordination on this case, contact:
Kenya Regional Office – UNCC
Rhoda Musyimi, Regional Country Director
+254 715 177 103
rhodamusyimi234@gmail.com
Current Adoption Request – Uganda
UNCC Intercountry Adoption Program
Applicant(s):
Trace, Katy, Gerrad, and Kent – Australia
Requested Child Profile:
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Tracy – Seeking twins, any gender, aged 3–5 years
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Katy, Gerrad, and Kent – Seeking any child, any gender, aged 3–5 years
Status: High Priority – Awaiting formal confirmation from the Australian Central Authority
🇺🇬 Current Progress – Uganda (UNCC Field Operations)
Kevin Nabbowa, UNCC Managing Director in Uganda, has:
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Confirmed and visited one private orphanage home twice
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Conducted initial discussions with management regarding children legally available for intercountry adoption
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Currently awaiting child selection based on the profiles submitted by the applicants
UNCC Uganda is now preparing to proceed with formal legal assessments and coordination with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MoGLSD).
⚖️ Adoption Process in Uganda (Through Private Orphanages)
UNCC follows Uganda's legal adoption process as outlined in the Children (Amendment) Act 2016:
1. Child Identification & Eligibility Check
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UNCC verifies that the child is legally free for adoption through court documentation and orphanage records.
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Social inquiry is conducted by the District Probation Officer and/or registered social workers.
2. Matching with Australian Applicants
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Based on age, health, and family preference, children are matched with approved applicants.
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UNCC facilitates communication between the orphanage and the prospective adoptive family.
3. Court Application & Guardianship Order
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Since Uganda is not a full Hague Convention signatory, many intercountry adoptions proceed under Guardianship Orders.
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Applicants are expected to:
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Obtain local legal representation
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File for legal guardianship at the High Court of Uganda
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Undergo a background check and approval
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4. Visa Application & Travel to Australia
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Once guardianship is granted, adoptive parents apply for a Child (Subclass 102) Visa through the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
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Upon arrival in Australia, full adoption can be finalized under Australian law.
UNCC’s Role in the Adoption Process
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Facilitate communication between orphanage and Australian applicants
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Assist in gathering required documentation
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Support ethical and legal coordination with Ugandan child protection authorities
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Ensure all actions are in the best interest of the child
Contact UNCC Uganda – For Intercountry Adoption
Kevin Nabbowa, Managing Director – Uganda
Driver Corner, Terrego District, Arua
kevijathi@gmail.com