Hand In Hand is not
accepting applications for this program at this
time.
Our Guatemalan program began in 1984 when Hand In Hand assisted an agency with three placements that they had begun in Guatemala but unfortunately were unable to complete. Hand In Hand took over the three cases and then, working through Guillero Mendoza and his mother Sonia, completed an additional nine cases. In September of 1988, when Guillero decided to retire from adoption and begin a fishing export business, Hand In Hand was fortunate to locate Carlota Torres Ocampo, a renowned attorney in Guatemala City, who was willing to assist Hand In Hand with the placement of children of birthmothers whom she had counseled. Over the past 19 years, Hand In Hand has enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with Carlota, who is dedicated to the children, the birthmothers, and the adoptive parents. Her legal work is impeccable, and she treats all parties involved as well as the entire process itself with great integrity.
Hand In Hand has been successful in placing anywhere from 10 to 15 children per year from Guatemala. The majority of the children have been matched with families as newborns and arrive home with their adoptive families at the age of about six months old, although a few of the children placed were over the age of two at the time of match. Most of the children placed have never lived in an orphanage. They are provided with monthly doctor visits, good food, formula, and the nurturing environment of a loving foster family from the start.
Program Director is MaryLee Lane, Executive Director of Hand In Hand. |
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Types of Children Available: |
- 4 months to 2 years old (at time of placement); primarily infants
- Most children are in excellent health
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Types of Families accepted: |
- Adoptive parents must be married at least one year
- Single heterosexual women accepted
- Adoptive parents must be 25 to 55 years old
- Prefer a Christian family
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Travel Requirements: |
- Travel optional; child may be escorted to U.S.
- If family travels, one trip is required, and length of stay is approximately 3 to 5 days
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Time Frames: |
- Dossier to Match – 1 to 8 months
- Match to Placement: - 4 to 8 months
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Due to poverty, birthmothers in Latin American countries are often counseled by their families and friends not to have an abortion and also not to try to parent the child. Birthmothers make contact with our attorney during various stages of pregnancy or after the birth. Therefore, babies may be born in a hospital setting or in-home with a midwife. Occasionally, we receive referrals of children available for adoption who are older, with siblings, or who have medical concerns.
Hand In Hand works with several foster homes that provide for the babies from the time they are relinquished by the birthmother until they meet their adoptive families. Our requirements for a good foster home are that it is a good, integrated family, one that will love the child and treat the child as if it was their own. Most foster families are not wealthy families, but rather ones who keep a clean home and have experience with children. The foster families are instructed to watch for any signs of problems with the child and to take the child to the pediatrician should anything occur out of the normal. In addition, the foster families take their foster children to church with them and are responsible for getting the children to the pediatrician on a monthly basis for a checkup and shots.
Upon arrival in Guatemala, the child is already legally yours because the adoption will have been completed earlier through the Power of Attorney. Parents travel to complete their child's U.S. visa step only. In Guatemala you will be united with your child as soon as possible and meet with the foster parents. During your stay our attorney will assist you every step of the way.
Guatemala is located in northern Central America, bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. It is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. |
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Guatemala is a country of extreme poverty, and this is the reason that most children are being placed for adoption. Guatemalans have a mixture of Spanish and indigenous heritage. Spanish is the official language of Guatemala but there are over 20 indigenous dialects still spoken to this day. Catholicism is the predominant religion but other beliefs are also practiced.
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