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Colombian Children
The children available from Colombia are one years old up to the teen ages. Siblings and special needs children are available.
There are both boys and girls, but more boys are available. The children are from orphanages or foster homes. Most children
are mestizos (mixed Europeans and natives), but one may adopt a native Colombian as well. The children are available from
orphanages.
Note: The requirements and process below is combined with US laws, but it should be a basis
for citizens of other countries.
Requirements
Couples age 25 to 35 receive a child infant to 3 years old. Couples between 36 and 45 often receive children 3 to 6 years
old. Couples older than 45 and all singles receive children 7 or older, siblings, or a special needs child. Private orphanages
may have their own requirements. At least one parent must be a US citizen and over 25.
Process
The time spent in Colombia is between 3 and 4 weeks, but one parents may return to the US after a week. The process will go
faster if one doesn't have a criminal record.
Weather / Climate
There aren't dramatic seasonal changes in Colombia since it is near the equator. It is dryer from December to March. From
May to July and October to December, it rains the most. The rainy season is classified as May until November. After rain,
there is usually bright sunshine. The temperatures vary since elevation ranges from sea level to 10,000 feet (3,050 meters)
in altitude. During the day in coastal areas, the temperatures range from the 70s - 80s F / 23 - 32 C, with nights in the
60s - 70s F / 17 - 27 C. In the inland regions, the temperatures vary from the 60s - 70s F / 17 - 27 C (similar to the nightime
temps. in the coastal areas). At winter nights, the inland regions, the temperatures can drop to the 40s - 50s F / 5 - 16
C. It is warm and tropical in the coastal areas and northern regions, milder upland, and cold in the mountains. Bogota is
like a mild spring year-round; it's cool in the daytime and crisp at night.
Other Information / Colombia
The capital is Bogota. Colombia is bordered by Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Panama, and is buffered by the Caribbean
Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Colombia is located in South America. The primary language is Spanish. San Andres, Leticia, Barranquilla,
Tumaco, Medellin, Buenaventura and Cali are a few Colombian major cities.
Major Reasons Colombian Children are being put up for Adoption
Most children are abandoned by single parents. Both couples and singles in Colombia abandon their children because they can't
afford to feed them or work full time and no one is home to care for the children. natural disasters, such as volcanos and
landslides can also cause orphans.
Advantages
The Colombian adoption program is a very old and well-established one. travel isn't too bad, since the country isn't too
far from the US or Canada.
Packing List
A sweater or warm jacket is needed for nights in the coastal areas and for the mountains. Bogota is in the mountains, so pack
warm clothes for you will be 8000 feet / 2440 meters high in altitude. It is recommended that you bring medium to heavyweight
clothing for the mountains and areas leading up to them. Lightweight clothes is needed in the coastal and northern regions,
as well as waterproof ones during rainy season (May to November).
1.)The US State Dep's Page on Colombian Adoption.
2.)Colombian Adoption Attorney. For Europeans and Americans.
3.)FANA; Colombian Adoption Resources and Info. about Colombia.
4.)Child Adoption Resource Association, Inc. - CARA; China, the US, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, Russia, India, Bulgaria,
Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Moldavia (part of Romania).
5.)Florence Crittenton League; China, Russia, Ukraine, Colombia, Guatemala, and the US.
6.)The Barker Foundation; China, Korea, India, Bulgaria, Colombia, Guatemala, and the US.
7.)Loving Shepherd Int. Adoption Agency - LSI; Christian organization for adoption from China, Korea, Vietnam, India,
Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Colombia, and Guatemala. Based in IN.
8.)Lutheran Adoption Network - LAN; China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, and
Colombia.
9.)Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota; Colombia, Bulgaria, and the US. Also works with other agencies to assist with
adoptions from other countries.Prospective parents don't have to be Lutheran. Should stay in this China section???
10.)Adopt Help; China, Cambodia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Russia, India, Romania, Moldova, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala,
and the US.
11.)The Children's Home Society of Missouri; China, Korea, Vietnam, India, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria,
Slovakia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Honduras, and domestic US. Founded in 1891.
12.)The Home for Little Wanderers (Organization made of other agencies); China, a direct domestic program, Vietnam, India,
Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Colombia, Guatemala, and a few other countries. Based in MA.
13.)Tips and Information about Traveling to Colombia from the State Dep.
14.)A Travel Warning Issued by the US State Dep discouraging travel to Colombia due to security concerns (domestic Colombian
terrorist attacks).
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