Adoption Spotlight: Colombia, South America

By Makisha • on February 21, 2010

Over the next few weeks I will be doing a spotlight series on the adoption process of various countries.  For me the most logical place to start is Colombia, South America since this is where I adopted my little man.  This is just an overview, so if you are interested in adoption, please seek guidance from an adoption professional.

About Colombiacolombia adoption

Location:  Northwest corner of South America

Population:  46 million

Language:  Spanish

Currency:  Peso

Government:  Republic

Capital:  Bogota

Who Can Adopt

  • Couples married for at least two years.
  • Single women can adopt children seven years or older.
  • Couples 45+ are eligible for adoption of children 7+
  • Families with mental and health issues are considered on a case by case basis.
  • Families looking to adopt must have a clean criminal history.

Colombian Adoption Highlights

  • Most Colombian adoptions are orchestrated through ICBF (Colombian Institute of Family Welfare).
  • Babies to children in their teen’s are available, as well as, sibling groups and special needs children.
  • Adoption from Colombia requires only one trip which usually last between 3 to 8 weeks.
  • When adopting a baby (considered 0 to 1 years) families can have no more than two young children in their household.
  • Families can not specify if they want a boy or girl, but a preference can be stated.
  • The wait time for Colombia varies but can range between 6 months to 36 months once your paperwork is approved.
  • Colombian adoptions cost approximately $20,000 to $25,000 for a couple preparing to adopt one child.  Cost can vary from state to state.
  • Some items that ICBF require for adoption are:  pre-adoption and post adoption home studies, psychological testing and FBI clearance.

An Outsiders View of Bogota, Colombia

The primary question that people ask us about our time in Colombia is “were you not scared?”  We were scared, but not for the reason that one might think.  I was not afraid of drug trafficking and violence.  What terrified me was being in a foreign land and being a mother for the first time.  Talk about scary.  We actually felt very safe in the area of Bogota that we stayed in.  There were gates around our Bed and Breakfast, and we used common sense and refrained from going out after dark. All the stores that we went to were in walking distance and most had an armed guard either at the door or nearby.

We would explore around our neighborhood and take daily trips to the grocery store for things like Coca-Cola and Oreos which reminded us of home.   Everyone was friendly even with the language barrier.  Colombians love their children, so they would dote on Jordi when we were out and about.

Looking back I regret not participating more in the culture.  I was too busy trying to figure out this mothering thing and did not take in all that Colombia has to offer.  I was so focused on getting my new baby home that I did not take the time to appreciate the world I lived in for three weeks.  I would love to go back one day and take Jordi, so he can see where he was born and experience first hand the Colombian culture.

*Note:  If you are interested in learning more about adoption from Colombia, please let me know.  Hopefully in the near future I will be hosting an information meeting related to international adoption.  Email thehowellfamily3@gmail.com.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia

http://colombia.adoption.com/foreign/colombia-adoption-overview.html

http://adopt.childrenshope.net/programs/colombia/index.php

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Comments

By Sarah on February 21st, 2010 at 9:54 pm

Makisha, this is great information! I look forward to meeting Jordi someday! Make sure you post the meeting here, so we can promote it. I imagine it would mean so much to a first-time adoptive parent to have a group they can lean on.

By Teesa on February 22nd, 2010 at 9:55 pm

Great info! Sarah is right, it is going to be so important for new adoptive parents to have a support group and help when they run into difficult times. In that vain, our church has decided to start an adoption support group. We will start meeting in April. I have definitely learned that I really depend on those families who have already adopted to help us through the crazy adjustments!