**captain serious**

crystalpopcorn

Do you mind if I ask what agency you are using? Although we have not officially begun our process, DH and I are interested in South America. ?I am having a hard time finding agencies that have SA programs.

Thanks!?

CaptainSerious

I'm using Carolina Adoption Services, but, unfortunately, their Peru program is full, and they are not accepting applications for that program at this time.  I do not think they have any other South American programs right now.

There are very few US agencies which are licensed to work with Peru, but I think there are a significant number that work with Colombia.

 

If you are interested in Peruvian adoptions, a good resource is the Peru_Adopt group, but you should be aware that the group is open to agencies, some of which participate in on-going discussions.

 

To the best of my knowledge, the following is a current list of agencies are approved to work in Peru.  Some of these agencies may not currently be processing any Peruvian adoptions, however, so you may wish to contact them to find out if they are still working there before going much farther.  As always, I highly recommend checking any agency you are considering our on an independent site, like yahoo's "Adoption Agency Research" group.

 

Waiting Angels list only:

 

Lifeline

Lightshine (my not be currently processing Peruvian adoptions)

Hands Across the Water (pilot program)

An Open Door Adoption Agency

 

All children:

 

Seedlings (I think they've stopped Peruvian adoptions)

New Beginnings

Villa Hope

Carolina Adoptions Services (not currently accepting applications for Peru)

MAPS

Children's Home Society & Family Services

 

I hope this information helps, and if you have any other questions I might be able to answer, ask away!

crystalpopcorn

WOW! ?Thank you so much. ?That is VERY helpful. ?I am very interested in South America, but have not researched specific programs yet. ?I know that there are many Colombian programs, but I would be a little afraid to travel there. ?

I LOVE Argentina. ?Unfortunately, they do not allow U.S. adoptions. ?I was just trying to get an idea of other programs that are available. ?Most agencies that I have seen focus on Asia and Eastern Europe (both of which are fine too). ?This information will be very helpful as I begin the search.

Thanks so much!?

CaptainSerious

I know how you feel.  I believe that a part of my heart belongs to Chile, but there are no real US adoption programs from there.  I also loved Argentina, but as you know, there really isn't a way to make that happen.

So, we looked at what was left:  Colombia, Peru, and Guatemala (at the time, now closed).  To be honest, I don't think you need to be afraid of travel to Colombia; from what I can gather, it's as safe as most any developing South American country right now.

Still, we chose Peru because:

1) my husband said he'd rather vacation and spend a lot of time there (and visit throughout our child's life); and

2) everything I heard about the process, transparency, and state of the orphanages there made me really feel as if it was all about the child, and ethically finding them the best homes.

Keep looking; I'm sure you'll find the right program for your family in time!