According to Wikipedia, Christmas Eve is the most important day of the Christmas season for Colombians.

Friends and families get together to pray the last Novena.  At midnight they open the presents and party.  The children get to stay up late to play with all those new presents.  Little is done on December 25 because of all the celebration that occurred the night before. 

As you start pursuing an adoption through Colombia, think about how you will incorporate your child's culture and traditions into your family. Adopting through the Hope Exchange Program will allow you more of an opportunity to find out about these traditions while in Colombia.

Check out Gladney's Colombia Office

Beth Whitacre, Gladney's Intercountry Adoption Caseworker, recently traveled to Colombia for several visits.  While there she videoed the Colombia Office where Lucy Martinez, Gladney's in-country representative, works.

Fun With the Kids While in Colombia

Just heard about this fun place for the kids in Bogota!  It's called Divercity.  It's described as a kids park that is set up to let children experience adult activities like driving a car, putting out a fire (okay I've never done that!), and other different occupations.

They start out with a small amount of play money that they can use to play games.  When they run out of money, they have to get jobs to earn more money.

This could be a fun way to spend an afternoon in Colombia while you're in-country during the Hope Exchange Camp.

If you've been, please share your review of the place.

Divercity

Calle 183 No. 45-03 Local 201 Piso 3 | Centro Comercial, Santafe, Bogota, Colombia

This photo of Divercity is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Attend an Informative Seminar on International Adoption Process for Colombia

Gladney is pleased to announce the Hope Exchange Program!   Gladney is looking for families who are willing to open

 their hearts to an older child from Colombia.

Adventurous prospective parents are invited to travel to Colombia July 20-27, 2013 for Hope Exchange; the opportunity for prospective parents to meet healthy boys and girls ranging in age from 7 to 14 years who can’t wait to spend time with a loving family.

Daniela Guzman Martinez

The Gladney Center staff and Daniela Guzman Martinez, a representative from Colombia, will be hosting an informative seminar discussing the

Hope Exchange and international adoption process for Colombia

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Gladney Center for Adoption

Community Center

6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX  76132

If you would like to attend this meeting, please RSVP to

Judy.Hayes@Gladney.org or 432-563-3344.

Directions to The Gladney Center for Adoption:

Take the Hulen/TCU exit off I-20.  Turn left on S. Hulen Street.

Turn right onto Oakmont Blvd.  Turn left onto Harris Parkway.

Turn right onto John Ryan Drive.  Our offices will be on the right side of the street.

Look for the Community Center sign and enter the CC building through the doors close

to the handicap parking.