[becky]

Renn,

I think you are right about 'most' agencies. You will find happy clients and unhappy clients almost everywhere. That is what makes finding an agency so difficult. The important thing to remember is to pay very close attention to 'why' the unhappy clients were unhappy. If they have reasons that are really out of the control of the agency (my SW in Guatemala took 4 months to write the report and therefore my case took 10 months to complete...or passport took 3 months and therefore my case took 10 months to complete, etc.) The things that go wrong with the system in Guatemala sometimes cannot be helped by even the best of agencies.

BUT...if you hear things like:
1. I never received updates/pictures.
2. I could hardly get my phone calls returned.
3. I never knew the status of my case.
4. My child was ill and I wasn't aware of it.
5. My child received poor foster care while in Guatemala.
6. My case took 9-12 months and there was no real reason given (such as a slowdown in the process in GC).

If you hear these kinds of complaints from more than one client...I'd keep looking for another agency. There are agencies who work in Guatemala who consistently have outstanding reputations. You would be very hard pressed to find 'anyone' who had a negative thing to say about these agencies. So...keep doing your homework...keep asking questions...as my friend Lisa always says "research, research, research!!"

Good Luck to you all!