GUATEMALA, located in Central America, is a fascinating blend of cultures and influences. Here one sees strong influence from early European explorers and settlers, modern Hispanic sub-cultures, native tribal people groups, and even descendents of the ancient Mayan empire. A brief drive through the countryside reveals the varied cultures by the incredible range of architectural styles. Ancient pyramids, steel and glass sky-scrapers, mud huts, beautiful Spanish-influenced hotels and homes, and inspirational cathedrals can capture the imagination of all who linger in Guatemala City or Antigua or hundreds of small villages.
Just as there are many people groups in Guatemala, there are many children who need to be adopted. They are all delightful and are as varied in appearance as the cultures they represent. The children we place for adoption are legally relinquished by their birth mothers because of poverty and family hardship. They are usually infants, though occasionally we are notified of older children or sibling groups.
Adopting from Guatemala is usually very efficient and organized because our two governments cooperate and the Guatemalan authorities have made adoption a priority. Foreign fees are very high for this program because adoption attorneys must be used to complete the process, but other expenses related to the adoptions are comparatively low, so the total costs to adopt from Guatemala are similar to the costs to adopt from Russia or Kazakhstan.
