Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids

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 ...