Adopting from Nicaragua – A 2016 Program Update!

22
Dec

adopting from NicaraguaAdopting from Nicaragua has become a popular option for families wanting to bring a child from Latin America into their homes. There are several benefits to adopting from Nicaragua; the stay in-country can help a child adapt to his or her new family more easily, the proximity to the United States allows families to travel back once the adoption has been completed, and the availability of resources in U.S. school systems to assist children whose first language is Spanish. There are many reasons why a family would choose to adopt from Nicaragua!

However, 2016 demonstrated some of the complexities that come with adoptions from Nicaragua. A change in leadership within Mi Familia, Nicaragua’s adoption authority, caused families to be in-country for months longer than anticipated. Families traveling before the abandonment process was complete led to two lost matches this year, a complication of Nicaragua’s adoption process that MLJ Adoptions hadn’t previously experienced.

Despite the difficulties, six children from Nicaragua joined forever families this year! They ranged in age from three months to six years old. The timeframes reflect how long families waited to be matched with their child(ren) once their dossier arrived in Nicaragua.

  • Two boys, ages 6 and 5 – 7 month wait
  • One girl, age 3 – 19 month wait
  • One girl, age 3 months – 6 month wait
  • One girl, age 6 months – 47 month wait
  • One girl, age 6 months – 24 month wait

Because of the families we currently have in our Nicaragua program and the varying wait times that those adopting from Nicaragua experience, families interested in beginning an adoption journey from Nicaragua with MLJ are asked to be open to a child or sibling group up to the age of six years old.

As MLJ Adoptions continues to work with families adopting from Nicaragua and our staff in-country, we are continually reminded that Mi Familia is committed to working in the best interests of orphaned children. While it has been a year of ups and downs in our Nicaragua program, we are hopeful for the future of adoptions from Nicaragua!

If you’re interested in learning more about adopting from Nicaragua, contact us.

Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.

Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.