Colombia Program

Colombia’s Waiting Children

All over the world children are living without parental care - without a place that they can call home – forever. Some children are wishing every night for a family – others are fearful of the thought of joining a family due to past neglect and/or abuse. Some are longing for the family they once had but due to their family circumstances cannot be reunited and others have never experienced what it means to be a part of a family and the children range in age from infant to age 15.

All children deserve to be a part of a permanent, loving family. We are searching for families who are ready and willing to learn about how they can be the best parent s they can be for waiting children. Some families come to us with a clear vision, knowing the age and special needs they are open to and prepared to parent. Others come to us with a less structured vision and we work with them to find out what age and special needs would fit best in their family. The decisions are yours and we want to help you find your children.

Read about our most recent Featured Children.

Program Benefits

• You Decide your Openness – you are able to choose what age, gender, and special needs you are ready to parent. Colombia provides excellent medical, social, and psychological background and care for its children so you can be as prepared as possible to parent your child/ren when you are united in Colombia.
• Ability to Identify Specific Child – we have a list of waiting children who are currently eligible for international adoption and our families may view this listing as they are preparing to make their decision to adopt a child from Colombia. Please note, this listing does not include all waiting children in need of families from Colombia through LSSMN – we are able to request information on children with specific special needs your family is open to and provide you with the details of waiting children with those special needs waiting for families.
• Flexible Parent Requirements – both the private orphanages and ICBF provide for some parent requirement flexibility for families adopting waiting children. For example, large families are welcome to adopt waiting children whereas families can only have 1-2 children already in the home to adopt healthy children 0-3 years old.
• Shorter Waiting Period – you become a parent faster – because the children are already waiting you are able to become a parent faster. The adoption of waiting children is of high priority for the Colombian Government and its private partners – they will expedite the process so children can be united with their families as soon as possible to reduce the time they spend in orphanages or foster care.
• Support Services – Good preparation and support of parents for the rewards and challenges of parenting a waiting child is extremely important and we want to provide you with every avenue for success as a family. We will be with you every step of the way to provide guidance and information on adopting older children and children with special medical needs. From the first interview to after your return home with your child/ren we are here for your family.
• Amazing Rewards and Challenges – you will find that parenting an older or special needs child will have its own set of amazingly beautiful rewards and challenges. You may not have been able to witness his first step or her first day of kindergarten, but you will be there to experience so many firsts that will be unique to your child and your family. The journey can at many times be challenging but if you can approach your journey toward and with your child/ren with patience, humor, understanding, and a deep commitment to love your child for who he or she is – this will certainly be one of the most humbling and beautiful experiences of your life.

Who are the Children?

Children currently waiting for families from Colombia are diverse, but they do have many similar characteristics. Please keep in mind to you are welcome to contact us for more detailed information.

Waiting children in Colombia may have some of the following characteristics:

• Single child 7 years old or older
• Single child of any age with mild or correctable medical special needs (i.e. children with scoliosis, cleft lip/palate, orthopedic issues)
• Single child of any age with moderate or severe special needs (i.e. children with Down Syndrome, neurological delays, Cerebral Palsy)
• Sibling group of 2 or more with at least one child over 8 years old
• Sibling groups of 3 or more children of any age
• Sibling groups with special needs

To Learn More

For more information about Waiting Children in Colombia, please contact:

Lynne Haggar
612.879.5230 / 1.888.205.3769 ext. 230
Lynne.Haggar@lssmn.org