Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids

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