Find Families for Older Colombian Orphan Children

Andrew and Andy felt that they had more love to provide than two small dogs could fully appreciate. They also had enough space in their home and sufficient finances to provide something they took for granted when growing up: loving parents. “We were seeing several [slightly older] friends become grandparents and realized that we would never become grandparents because a crucial step had been missed – having kids of our own,” joked Andrew. Then they met with some friends who were about to adopt two boys who had been “hosted” through Kidsave’s Summer Miracles Program last summer.

 Hosting brings older Colombian orphans, unadoptable in their own country because they are over 8 years old, to the US to stay with families that will advocate for them to find permanent families – or adopt them themselves. Hosting entails caring for children while they are here, bringing them to events at which they can meet potential adoptive families, and doing all they can with the help of Kidsave staff to find permanent families for them.

 These friends showed them photos of Freddy and Pedro, and talked enthusiastically about the boys and about Kidsave. “Adopting an older child or sibling set seemed to be the best way to start the family we have always wanted, said Andrew. “When considering fostering to adopt in the US, the process can be long and parental rights take a long time to terminate.”

 “We also wanted to adopt in such a way that it leaves behind a better world and to provide a loving home to a child or children. Hosting and adopting through Kidsave seemed to encompass both. These kids really need a home and really need to be loved, and the world and their lives will hopefully be better should we adopt them.”

 “I've been advocating for young people for the past 34 years,” added Andy,” particularly in the later years of my military career. They are our future and the more we invest in them, the more likely the world will evolve to be a better place for all of us. Seems to me that every kid should have parents and an opportunity to grow and learn. Quoting Stephen Covey, ‘To live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy.’ We’ve done the first three. Our legacy will be children who do the same.”

 Soon, two boys will arrive from Colombia to stay with Andrew and Andy for five weeks and experience a special summer vacation and life in an American family. “We will introduce them to our two little dogs, take them out to the local playground, kick around a soccer ball (Fútbol), cook for them, read to them at bedtime, and just enjoy time spent with them in an everyday home environment. We currently plan to share with the boys what the local area has to offer (museums, the zoo, playgrounds/parks and much more) and spend a lot of time at home playing board games, doing craft projects, making puzzles, playing in our nice backyard, having them play with the dogs and just normal everyday stuff. We also hope to connect them with other kids in the neighborhood.”

“We are trying to be realistic in preparing for the chaos that typically comes with having kids (something I am actually looking forward to). The noise level will go up, the mess will be more, etc… All good things, but might require some adjustment.” The boys will get to go to a pro baseball game, spend a week at a soccer camp, swim in the neighbor’s pool any time, and will have a devoted, caring couple interested in adopting them watching over it all. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect summer…. or a more perfect second chance for these boys who just want loving parents encouraging and supporting them.

Links:

• Learn about Kidsave's work and programs
• Learn more about hosting and "Summer Miracles"
• Learn more about "hosting" a child