Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids

NAME CHANGES: So, I decided to investigate Colombian law on name changes. I wanted to be clear on when it is ok for the kids to change their names. The law governing name changes is found in the: Ley 1098 de 2006 - Código de la Infancia y la Adolescencia Articulo 64 #3. [Law 1098 from 2006 - Infant and Adolescent Code Article 64 #3]. This is what is states in Spanish: El adoptivo llevará como apellidos los de los adoptantes. En cuanto al nombre, sólo podrá ser modificado cuando el adoptado sea menor de tres (3) años, o consienta en ello, o el Juez encontrare justificadas las razones de su cambio. The Translation: The adoptee will carry the surnames of the adoptive parents. With respect to the name, it can only be modified when the adoptee is younger than 3 years of age, or consents to the same, or the Judge finds justifiable reasons for a change. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? This helped me understand why a letter from the child is required, in which the child expresses their desire...

Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids: Where is the Happiest Place on Earth? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-country-was-just-named-the-happiest-in-the-world-again_568c0ce4e4b0b958f65d1d7a

Could it possibly Colombia?

It has been quite a while since I have posted, but I am so proud of Colombian Cycling I just wanted to share. In the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's most important races -- behind the Tour de France -- COLOMBIANS TOOK FIRST AND SECOND PLACE! And they won the King of the Mountain. 3 different Colombians! AWESOME!!! ">

WOW!!  Forget everything I ever mentioned about traveling into Bogota via the El Dorado Airport.  Everything has changed.  Just a few months ago, there was a grand opening, and in December, our family got to experience it first hand.  New! Sleek ! Modern! and dare I say it -- EFFICIENT!  Your arrival in Bogota will now be easy.  Even immigration -- on Christmas Day -- went smoothly and quickly.  You get off the plane, go to immigration, wait in any number of short lines, check in, get your passport stamp and head to real luggage carrousels.  Amazing!!  Even the ADUANA  (aka customs) was a breeze.  NO more stop light, just hand them your form and you are off.  Finally, WELCOME TO COLOMBIA!!!!!!

I reviewed my notes from the blog posts I made 2 1/2 years ago and found them to be very helpful while preparing for this trip.  Here is a link: http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2010/07/one-familys-return-trip-dealing-with.html Here is another thing that I an remembering to bring this time -- BUG REPELLENT.  I am the flea banquet person, so this year I will be wearing lemon eucalyptus repellent every day in hopes of preventing those painfully itchy bites.

Don't forget to check out the posts from December for the last three years, you will find a host of ideas for celebrating a Colombian Christmas.  Also, you can look forward to more posts on One Family's Return Trip 2 in the coming month.

The FIFA announced the final standings for the 2012 soccer season.  Spain is in 1st place, but is a surprise -- COLOMBIA is in 5th!!  They were awarded the " Mover of the Year" status for having gone from 36th last year to 5th.  WAY TO GO GUYS!!!!

Today is a National Holiday in Colombia. It is the day that celebrates the victory of the Battle of Boyacá. This was the battle that brought Independence from Spain to Colombia. You can read more about the History here: http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/08/battle-of-boyaca-preparing-for-august.html and here: http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/08/pedro-pascasio-child-hero-with.html

On Saturday, Colombia won a SILVER medal in CYCLING!!! I couldn't be more excited for this post. Partly because I am back to posting, partly because Colombia won its first medal, and mostly because I personally know the bicycling coach of the Colombian team. Felicitaciones Jenaro!!! :) Bicycling in Colombia, and particularly in Boyaca, is a huge sport. You can read more here: http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/06/cycling.html Here is a video of the end of the race. Colombia was so close to the gold medal, but I am happy that he got a medal. Here is an interview in Spanish with the coach -- http://vimeo.com/46539640

Happy Colombian Independence Day!! Here is a link to a past post that explains the story of Colombian Independence. http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/07/colombian-independence.html

The Director of the Protective Custody division of ICBF, Adriana Gonzalez Maxcyclak, recent held a conference for the Family Advocates from 9 departments and Bogota. In her address, she revealed the following statistics: 1 - There are currently more that 60,000 children in protective custody. 2 - 15,054 of them are in protective custody because of abuse 3 - 7,594 are victims of sexual violence 4 - 3,859 are in custody because of substance abuse 5 - 3,031 were homeless 6 - 1,562 were malnourished

There was a new wait list posted April 9, 2011. Remember, the ICBF Wait List applies to adoptions through ICBF only -- not through CASAS PRIVADAS. It also ONLY APPLIES TO NON-COLOMBIAN FAMILIES. It DOES NOT reflect special needs children. The definition of special needs are children with disabilities, children over 8 years of age, and sibling groups of 3 or more. The dates that have moved are in BOLD. Also, this list only reflects that there are no more dossiers at the national office prior to the date shown. Dossiers from before January 2008 in the 0-23 months category, for example, may still need a referral, but they have already been sent to a region and are no longer waiting at the national office. Age of Child ------- Date of Application Approval by ICBF Child 0-12 months ------ Feb - 2008 Child 13 - 23 months ---- Feb - 2008 Child 2 - 3 years -------- May - 2007 Child 2 years ----------- NOT LISTED ON NEW FORM Child 3 years ----------- Feb - 2008 Child 3 - 4 years...

A reflection from Colombian Daddy: As a kid growing up in Colombia, I spent a lot of time playing outside with friends. One of those friends was a blondish kid whose face would turn beet red after a few hours in the sun and therefore responded to the nickname of Tomate (tomato). I was also friends with Largo (Long or Tall) Bayona, Tatoo Pérez (he was short), Enano (Dwarf) Higuera, and Flaco (Skinny) Miguel. At school I also knew, Gordo (Fat) Germán, Cara-de-Mico (Monkey Face), Pajarraco (Bird- looking ), and Azteca (A Native American-looking kid). At home, I lived with El Loco or El Viejo (My Dad) who was good friends with El Chulo (The Vulture ) down the street. Receiving a nickname, as a sign of being accepted into a group, may not be a uniquely Colombian thing. I think this is akin to what happens in the military or in other close knit groups anywhere. The difference is that in Colombia, without the constraints of political correctness, people tend to get labeled based on how ...

The status of the Ruiz Volcano was updated from yellow to orange yesterday. The orange alert means that the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales (Volcano Observatory in Manizales) feels that there is a significant risk of an eruption in the next few days or weeks. This may impact families travelling to Manizales, Ibague, Armenia, Pereira, and perhaps even flights to and from Bogota (it is down wind and got over 2 inches of ashes in the last big eruption in 1985). You can read more about that eruption here: http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2010/11/anniversary-of-armero-disaster.html and http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2010/11/face-of-tragedy-omayra-sanchez.html Here is a link to a map of the area. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1CHOL_enUS406US406&q=nevado+del+ruiz&ix=seb&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=643&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=xip5T_eDIOLXiQ

The group Mr. Bleat from Medellin Colombia bring more Colombian rock to the stage. In English, In Spanish:

Ancestro s bring the music of the Pacific coast of Colombia to the festival. Read more and hear another song by the group here: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_MS15812

Today's SXSW Colombian musical group is Il Abanico. They are an Indie/Experimental band. The two performers are originally from Bogota, but now live in New York. You can read more about them here. http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_MS19623 Here is a sample in English: And in Spanish:

This year Colombian bands were well represented at the SXSW festival. Over the next few days, I will highlight the Colombian bands that were invited to participate. The first is , Telebit , an alternative rock band from Bogota. You can read about them here: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_MS15542 Here is a sample of their music. And another one.

Our social worker, a woman with over 25 years of International Adoption experience, suggested that we keep others away from our then 2 year old and try to settle in for a few months. She called the first 6 months crucial for bonding and attachment. She suggested a few basic rules. Today, I am highlighting her rule # 4. 4- Do not introduce them to extended family too soon. You will know when your child is secure and calm. That is the time to meet new people. For some babies, it will take a few weeks. For toddlers or young children, it can take much, much longer. This can be difficult to explain to excited extended family members. Try reminding them that your child has just lived through a major trauma and that your child does not see his adoption as a joyous, happy, long awaited moment. He has just lost everything he knows -- a home (however sad), food, smells, sounds, friends, schedule, etc. He is trying to make sense of the world. The more that things change, the more diff...