[mamaskoby]

Anyone know what the situation is in Ecuador to adopt now? I have dual citizenship with Ecuador but we live in CA. Interested in adopting from Ecuador.
Thank you,
Anna

[hollylou]

Hi Anna,

I do not know the situation in Ecuador at the moment for adoptions. In fact, I just learned that US adoptions from Ecuador were possible! I would like to learn more about Ecuador adoptions too, so please forward any helpful information you learn to me if you could! You can PM me or my e-mail address is holly_lou05@yahoo.com

Thanks!

Holly

[Mongoose]

Check out My Adoption Links for a starting point. You never know what you'll find there.

I'm getting an info package from an agency about Ecuador. Not everything will be applicable to you guys since I'm in Canada, but I can let you know what I find out when I get it.

This is what I know so far:

- children are typically 12-48 months old (one to four years)
- wait time for proposal is approximately 6-12 months from the time file arrives in Ecuador
- travel is approximately 3 months after accepting referral
- one trip of approximately 8 weeks is required
- adoption is finalized in Ecuador
- single women 25 and older, and couples married at least 3 years can apply
- couples and women over 40 can adopt a child over 3 years old
- post-placement reports are due every four months the first year and every six months the second year
- requires medical and psychological assessment

HTH

-
Marie

[Eve W]

Hi Marie,

I am in Canada too and I am interested in South American adoption. Please let me know what you find out. I am in BC and do not know if any agencies deal with Ecuador.

Eve

[Mongoose]

Hi Eve,

I'm PM you the name and URL for the agency I found. It's in Ontario.

-
Marie

[Eve W]

Thank you Marie.

I e-mailed this agency for more information. Are you in Ontario? Do you know if children from Ecuador are in general helathy?

Eve

[Mongoose]

I'm actually in the Northwest Territories which is why I know they can work outside of Ontario.

There is a lot of poverty in Ecuador so I would expect the children to be malnourished and have developmental delays, but not as bad as Liberia. I haven't found any comment on agency websites as to whether the children are healthy or not but here is UNICEF's Ecuador site.

As far as I can tell children can be in either orphanages or foster care, so some will have delays and challenges due to the institutional setting as well as the poverty issues.

Indigenous people are especially poor so I would guess they're probably over-represented in the children available for adoption.

I haven't seen any references to a special needs adoption program for Ecuador so I'm guessing there is none.

If I find more I'll let you know.

-
Marie

[cafegal]

i've just found this forum tonight so this is my first post! how cool to see other cdns on here interested or in process of adopting from ecuador!

we just attended an info session today w/ kids-link (st. anne's adoption) and they profiled their ecuador program. i would love to exchange any info/insights w/ you ladies. marie i think you've covered off most of the basics so far so not much more to add at this point:

- they did indicate today that you receive a fairly comprehensive report on the child & their family (at least in IA terms!).
- i believe common law now counts twds the 3 yrs of marriage, they indicated this today but it seems to be new info so i would confirm
- seems to be fairly even split of guys/girls
- poverty is main reason for why they are up for adoption
- they work w/ orphanages a/c the country but seem to be working w/ 3 primarily right now.

best of luck to everyone here!

[Mongoose]

Hi Cafegal, welcome aboard! My revised financial projections mean I won't be adopting for quite a few years yet but good luck to you in the mean time! If you do end up adopting from Ecuador I'll want a detailed report from you! LOL