First, it’s important to understand the basic process of adopting in Nicaragua. So if you haven’t done so already, review the process before reading further.

Next, read my post about why we need adoption care in Nicaragua.

All caught up? Great, now here is a little more about our work with adoption care in Nicaragua:

Guesthouse

We’ve rented a six-bedroom home on the southwest edge of Managua, where we have three furnished bedrooms available for short-term rentals.

• Bedroom #1 contains a queen bed and shares a bathroom with the second bedroom
• Bedroom #2 contains a queen bed and a set of twin bunks, and shares a bathroom with the first bedroom
• Bedroom #3 contains a single twin bed and a private bath

These rooms are perfect for adopting families who have either just arrived in Nicaragua or who are finalizing the adoption and preparing to return to their home countries. The home has all of the stuff necessary to ease the transition into Nicaragua: a pool, hot water, plenty of fans, clean and well-maintained utilities, and an updated, American-style kitchen.

Could families stay longer? Sure, but most want to be in a private apartment for the bulk of the fostering process, just to develop family routines and bonds. (Read our update regarding our guest rooms, from March 2014.)

Startup Kits

When families move into their own apartments, they often need a lot of stuff! Even furnished apartments lack basic necessities like sheets, towels, plates, pots, pans, utensils, and fans. We’ve put together a few starter kits to make the transition easier (and less costly!). Families simply return the kits when their time in the country is complete, so we are able to share the items among many adopting families.

Fellowship

Leaving home to spending an extended period of time overseas often inspires a lot of loneliness and depression in adopting moms and dads. There are many North American families living in Nicaragua who can stand in the gap for adopting families missing home. By staying in touch with both adopting families and local aid workers, we can connect the dots to make sure adopting moms and dads have what they need to be successful here in Nicaragua.

Some practical examples include finding places for adopting families to do their laundry, arranging for rides to the grocery store, and facilitating outings like trips to the beach or movies. In addition, we help connect families to other English-speaking people through International Christian Fellowship (ICF), which is an English-speaking church that means on Sunday mornings at the campus of Nicaragua Christian Academy.

Note: We’re not lawyers, or adoption specialists. Obviously the information provided here is based on the research and experiences of our family and friends. However, each adoption is unique. (For example, some go quickly, others go slowly.) If you are interested in pursuing an adoption in Nicaragua, please get the facts and speak to the professionals in order to make an educated decision. We can also put you in contact with others who have done it recently, through this Facebook group.