PARAGUAYAN TIES

August 1 - 14, 2010

View an on-line Paraguayan Ties album Paraguayan Ties

Highlights:

  • Visit people and places important in your child's life
  • Ties Program  "Connect & Chat" for the kids and “Talk Times” for the adults
  • Child Friendly & "Adoption Aware"

Paraguay has touched your family in a very special way and Paraguayan Ties is an opportunity for you to experience this special country and learn first hand more about its people and culture.  Most parents have vivid memories of being in Asunción to bring their son or daughter home.  Stories seem to come alive for your child related to that special time as you visit a favorite restaurant or walk down a familiar street.  Many families remember Paraguayans who were important early in their child's life.  Visiting with a foster mother or translator may be possible while you are in Asunción. 

Paraguay Adoptive Family Homeland Journey


Paraguayan Ties is about celebrating those memories while creating new ones.  While traveling, your family will visit with artisans and dance with Makka Indians.  You’ll journey by plane, bus, and ox cart while enjoying days in the country as well as the city. Visiting a school and having dinner in a family home provides a unique insight into daily life. And of course if you want to play a futból game or two, that is easy enough to arrange in Paraguay.

Since 1998, families have visited the children at the SOS Village in Luque. The phrase "It takes a village to raise a child" captures the purpose of this community.  The Ties Program is pleased to be returning here in 2006 and is excited about SOS volunteer opportunities open to past Paraguayan Ties families.  Your travels will also take you east to the city of Ciudad del Este. Here you will witness the amazing power of water at the Itapú Dam and celebrate Guarani culture through interactive displays at the Guarani Earth Museum.    A drive over the Friendship Bridge takes us into Brazil where we will see one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders, Iguassú Falls!  

Traveling as a family to your child’s country of birth is a life changing experience.    As TS Eliot wrote:  "The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

READ WHAT PARAGUAYAN TIES FAMILIES HAVE TO SAY:

"Dazed, Crazed, Amazed ~Only in Paraguay~!"
     ~Sarah, age 14

“I would describe it as finding a new me…”  
     ~ Andrew Piper, age 13

“I felt like another piece was put in my puzzle.”  Paraguay Ties
     ~Risa Piper, age 12

“It’s important to know where you’re from.  It will always be part of you.  After going to the place where you’re from, you appreciate and find the importance of your heritage.” 
     ~Dan Ockene, age 18

"While I am not from Paraguay myself, I felt a connection with the country because my sister was born there.  Now, having been there, and having met so many good people there, I feel an even stronger connection to Paraguay."
     ~Jamie Hansen, age 21

The most meaningful part of the journey was "experiencing the best (and a touch of the hardest) parts of Paraguay.  It turned my grey (adoptive experience) impressions into Technicolor."
     ~Linda Feltes

Describing Paraguayan Ties to a friend, I'd say "Imagine the Paraguayan experience of your dreams and then magnify those desires because you'll be astonished and amazed!"
     ~Kathleen Harris

Paraguayan Ties is "a unique opportunity to re-introduce adoptive children and their families to the history, culture, and people of their homeland."
     ~Marcia Pfefferle

"An amazing journey of discovery in the identities of our children"
     ~Cathy Bogaert

‘Seeing how proud the children were of their birth country and the bonding that took place amongst the children traveling on The Ties Program’ are two ways I’d describe this trip.
     ~Joanne Purrington

"There are really no words to describe the experience - it was a journey of the heart!"
     ~Louise Blissenbach Stemp

“A tremendous family experience and adventure and the journey that filled the gap in our son’s sense of self.” 
     ~John Giudecessi

“I feel like someone peeled back a curtain and let us pass into people’s private worlds without being intrusive.” 
     ~Carrie Mathers-Kurland

“A wonderful adventure which combined various experiences, emotions and friendships."
     ~Herbert Brenner

“…One of the best gifts I could have ever given my child.’ 
     ~Nikki Laff

My son "came away with a deep love for Paraguay and the people, and a sense that he 'fits in and belongs' there."  
     ~Dana Riddel

"'Paraguay' is no longer an abstract concept to (our daughter). While the meaning will change over the years, she has a starting place in understanding her identity and history." 
     ~Chris Smithies

For more information, contact The Ties Program or request an Informational Packet.

Pre-Register now for a future year, so that we can hold your spot!