PARAGUAYAN TIES
July 20 - August 2, 2008
August 3 - August  16, 2008
Highlights:
- Visit people and places important in your child's life
- Ties Program "Talk Times"
- 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.
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 c ity. Visiting a school and having dinner in al family home will provide you 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 ths 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 Itaipú Dam and celebrate Gaurani culture through interactive displays at the Guarani Earlth 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:
“I would describe it as finding a new me…”
~ Andrew, age 13
“I felt like another piece was put in my puzzle.”
~Risa, 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, age 18
“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 giofts 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 Bea Evans.
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