Home
ABOUT BOLIVIA ESPANOL
Bolivia for Kids
Bolivia Facts
Santa Cruz
Beni
TRAVEL BOLIVIA Tourism
Live in Bolivia
Volunteer
Do Business
Learn Spanish
Plan Your Trip
FIND OUT MORE Travel Forum
Message Board
Photo Gallery
Bella's TV
Bella's Blog
Bella's Ezine
Bolivia News
Link to Bella
SITE MAP
TELL BELLA
SHARE BOLIVIA Bella's Gift Shop
Bella's Wow Ecards

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you BELLA NEWS - BoliviaBella Newsletter.

Subscribe to BoliviaBella!
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

ADOPT A CHILD IN BOLIVIA

Tourism    Travel    Hotels    Airlines    Restaurants    Agents    Forums    Things to Do



Bolivian law does allow foreigners to adopt Bolivian children, but it is not an easy process. There are many laws, requirements, technicalities, and restrictions. As an interpreter I’ve worked for several families who adopted Bolivian children, interpreting orally at legal hearings, and translating much of the legal documentation involved. Because of this I learned to appreciate the absolutely steadfast determination those couples had to have because the process can be frustrating, grueling and exhausting.

Bolivia Adopt Adoption Orphans


What I can share, from my own experience, is that a single person or couple who is contemplating adopting a child in Bolivia, had better think about it deeply and be completely convinced that this is what they desire. They will be required to present proof that the family environment (and income) are healthy and stable and will continue to be so, far into the future. Their personal, financial, and medical backgrounds will be highly scrutinized. The entire process can take several months to over a year, and even after the child has been taken home, the adoptive parents must report to Bolivian authorities regularly (usually every six months) either personally or through a legal representative.

Everyone I have spoken to has considered the process very hard, but those same people have ALL told me they would go through it all over again, that they love their child deeply, and that it was worth it!

There are a lot of orphans in Bolivia and I have visited several orphanages myself. These (photo above) are some of the boys from Hogar Maranatha, a boy's home that I have supported for several years. Boys and girls are not allowed to reside in the same orphanages. These children are between 4 and 16 years old, but some orphanages have quite a few babies. The kids are required to go to school and are also taught a trade, such as baking, cooking, shining shoes, sewing, laying bricks, playing an instrument, and other tasks so they will somewhat employable by the time they leave the orphanage.

Most of these kids come from homes where the father has abandoned the family and the mother has been unable to cope or has too many children and cannot afford to house and feed them all. Some come to the home after living and working alone on the streets for a long time. Some have been exposed to drug use. These boys are sweet, each and every one of them. They've been taught to play instruments and sing. When a visitor comes to the home, they put on a small impromptu concert.


If you are interested in more information on some of the children's homes in this area, or on how to contribute financially to an orphanage in Santa Cruz, you can contact the International Women's Association (a group of foreign women in Santa Cruz who have formed a non-profit organization to raise funds for orphanages). Their efforts have ensured these homes continue operating and living conditions for the children have been greatly improved because of their efforts. The process will be similar in much of Bolivia.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
Mailing Address:
Casilla 6537
Santa Cruz de la Sierra - Bolivia
Tel: (591-3) 352-1681

I'm working on getting some testimonials from families who have adopted Bolivian children. No one will be able to provide better first-hand information, suggestions, and recommendations than they will.

You might want to check out my section on laws that govern travel with minors. I am not an attorney and am therefore not qualified to give legal advice in Bolivia. I can refer you to a website that contains tons of technical information on the entire process in English. It is posted for U.S. citizens, but the information concerning the Bolivian portion of the process will be the same no matter what your country of origin, so I hope you find it helpful. The information on this website is provided by the U.S. Department of State. It will help you determine if you are ready for this.

http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/country/country_356.html


I hope you'll consider sharing your story or expertise. We get a lot of questions about adopting in Bolivia!

What was your biggest challenge when adopting a Bolivian child?


When you first met the Bolivian child you've now adopted, was it one of those "I just knew I had to" moments? What challenges or obstacles did you face? How did you solve them? What advice can you give other parents seeking to adopt a Bolivian child? Any tips, warnings, words of encouragement?

Enter a title for your adoption story and recommendations.

Share your experience with the Bolivian adoption process. [ ? ]

Upload A Picture (optional) [ ? ]

Add Picture Caption (optional) 

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name

(first or full name)

Your Location

(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Other parents who've adopted Bolivian children say:

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

domestic vs international adoption  starstarstarstarstar


Domestic .Vs International Adoption



Domestic .Vs International Adoption

Author: B Wilson

The numbers are staggering, but ...

FELL IN LOVE!!!!!  starstarstarstarstar
Our adoption experience was great! My husband and I had tried for 10 very long years to conceive. On July 5,1997 we traveled to Bolivia with the assistance ...

Seems like a dream  Not rated yet
In 1978, after years of unsuccessful infertility treatment, we discovered a self-help adoption group called LAPA (Latin America Parents Association). Through ...

funding an adoption  Not rated yet


Tips for financing an adoption



Tips for financing an adoption

Author: Christina Pomoni

Without a doubt, making the decision ...

the future of international adoption  Not rated yet


The Future of Adoption



The Future of Adoption

Author: Douglas Chalke

The world of adoption is changing quickly. There ...

resources for funding an adoption  Not rated yet


Creative Resources to Make your Adoption Affordable



Creative Resources to Make your Adoption Affordable

Author: Mardie Caldwell,...

adoption tax credit  Not rated yet


How the adoption tax credit works



How the adoption tax credit works

Author: Christina Pomoni

The decision to adopt is ...

choosing an adoption agency  Not rated yet


Choosing an Adoption Agency



Choosing an Adoption Agency

Author: Max Seiler

For most prospective adoptive families, choosing ...

adoption 101  Not rated yet


Child Adoption 101: Should You Adopt And How To Go About Adopting



Child Adoption 101: Should You Adopt And How To Go About Adopting ...

organizations that help fund adoption  Not rated yet


Meeting Adoption Costs - List Of Organizations That Help Financially



Meeting Adoption Costs - List Of Organizations That Help Financially ...

adoption lawyers duties  Not rated yet


Adoption Lawyers' Duties - Facts That Prospective Parents Must Know



Adoption Lawyers' Duties - Facts That Prospective Parents Must ...

24 pointers on adoption fees  Not rated yet


Adoption Fees - 24 Points To Remember



Adoption Fees - 24 Points To Remember

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Even for noble works ...

3 international adoption options  Not rated yet


3 Options Of Adopting A Child - Everything You Wanted To Know



3 Options Of Adopting A Child - Everything You Wanted To Know

Author:...

Adopting a Godchild- Sponsorship through Christian Children's Fund  Not rated yet
Full adoption of a Bolivian child may sound overwhelming to many people who still would love an opportunity to be directly connected to a child or family....

Return from Adopting to Home Page






Custom Search


footer for Adopt page