[dspakowsky]

With Guatemala "possibly" shutting down, and fees always rising, where's another great country to adopt from?

I know a lot about the China and Korea programs. And I'm not interested in Russia or Kazakhstan (my heart is just not pulled there). What about Nepal, Panama, Belize, or Haiti? Does anyone have any experince or stories about adoptions from there? We don't plan to adopt again for a few years, but I'm all about research! Oh, and this time we'd like a boy if possible.

Thanks for any input and advice.

[MicheleB]

I have some close friends who just finished their second adoption from Haiti. They spent a longer time in the country than we had to and the cost of the adoptions were just a tad less than what Guatemala adoptions run. Overall they had a great experience both times and their children are beautiful and healthy.

[Pipercub]

El Salvador is reopening (with a limited number of agencies) right now. They reorganized with a central adoption authority and aligned with the Hague and our agency is very optimistic about how things are going to be there. But being so newly re-opened, the process is not predictable yet. The apx fees I researched put it at about $23 or $24K. Referrals and the process are expected to be a little slower than Guatemala, but a little faster than China. With a close childhood friend who grew up there and takes trips to visit his family there every year, it's way high up on our list if we chose to adopt again.

[jt421_2000]

I went to Chiina for my second adoption. I choose a waiting child. The whole adoption from identifing my son to bringing him home was a fast 9 months!!!!

[EngineerGalinIA]

When I was looking at adoption, my home study provider was really "pushing" adoption in Ethiopia. The agency had allot of success there and the fees were considerably les - I'm thinking it was $9-11K and the travel ws 10-14 days in country.

[HopeB1]

Vietnam is open again. The agency I am with has a great Vietnam program. They just opened a baby home there and run it completely.

[CashCrew]

Dh and I researched Columbia a bit too. While we've not adopted there, it looked like a fairly good program.

[sassycindy]

My friends just got a baby from Korea. She is 8 months old, healthy, and was in foster care. They had a very good experience and travelled there for 1 week.

I also know a family with a healthy beautiful girl from Columbia. They also had a good experience.

Other friends adopted from Nepal. They had been their for work previously and felt drawn to the country. They have a beautiful boy. I believe he was a bit sick when they got him, but nothing that was not treatable in the states.

I think that you have to be "younger" to adopt from Panama (under 35).

My brother has 2 children that he adopted domestically--they are biracial. He got both at birth, both were healthy. They have relatively open adoptions and that experience has been very positive for all involved. His adoptions were MUCH cheaper and easier than any international adoptions that i have heard of, but he did wait a bit longer.


I know what you mean about "your heart" being there or not. Mine was definitely in Guatemala--we never looked anywhere else. If I did it again, somewhere else, I would be drawn to the Bulgarian area--not sure why, but something about those gypsy children and their culture appeals to me.

Finally, I also would suggest calling Angelina Jolie
She could probably give you some good ideas!

[DPline]

There has been some talk on another group about Belize. No one that has actually completed an adoption yet, but someone who is looking into it. Evidently you go directly through a Belizean attorney with no agency involved.

If you would like the info. that has been posted or a link to the group for research, PM me.

[chriscinger]

When we were looking into our second adoption last year, we looked at the Philippines. It is a lot less expensive. But it was a new program for this particular agency, and the wait time seemed long, so we opted for Guatemala. (Little did I know about what was going on in Guatemala!) But if you can find a good agency that has a Philippines program, it might be a good option.

[praying4rlittl1]

We are adopting Emilee from Guatemala, but we are also in process right now to adopt a little guy from Haiti. The program costs anywhere from $7500 to $11000, then you have the extras likes immigration etc (same as Guate). The program is slow but predictable and straight forward. In the near future there is supposed to be a turnover of the head of the court system and that could potentially change the wait time (hopefully for the better!) Anyway, pm me if you have any other questions. Here's a picture of Marcus who is 1 1/2...love this little guy!!!!!!

[dawnrenee58]

NICARAGUA!!! There are great things happening there! They are thinking of setting up a court system just for family cases, with all women judges, and adoptions sould be part of it! The cost is significantly less, as there are NO in country fees! If I had not fostered, out total would have been about $13K.
I have an awesome attorney there, and she is LOVING adoptions. The kids are SO beautiful, and the people are wonderful. I am in love with the Nicas!!

[CEB]

Probably not an issue for most, but I am told that Columbia requires that the average age of the adopting parents be below 40. So, if one spouse is 20 the other can be 59; but if you are both 40, it's no go. Other than that factor, I too have heard good thinkgs about the programs there.

[DPline]

Sorry to go off topic for a moment, but . . .

praying4rlittl1 - Marcus is SOOOO cute! I don't think I have ever seen a picture of him before. He is just a doll!

dawnrenee58 - How are you and your little one adjusting to being home? Been waiting for an update!

[praying4rlittl1]

Thanks, we are totally flipped over this little guy with the big personality!