Paraguay has touched your family in a very special way and Paraguay Ties is an opportunity for you to experience this special country and learn more first hand 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 Ties is about celebrating those memories while creating new ones. Together with other families, you'll journey by plane, bus, and ox cart while enjoying days in the country as well as the city. Meeting Paraguayans at work, in school, and in their homesprovides you with unique insights into daily life. And of course if you want to play a futból game or two, that is easy to arrange in Paraguay.
You'll also have the opportunity to meet students attending Escuela de Muscia Hermino, a unique school in Ita, as well as children served by the Pai Puku education project in the Chaco. 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 EarthMuseum. 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."
Connections programs are less expensive and shorter travel options, providing a well rounded in-country travel experience, and are staffed by an in-country English speaking guide. "Connect & Chat," and "Parent Talk Time" are not offered as part of Connections.
Asunción and San Bernardino (on the shores of Lake Ypacaraí) serve as home base for Paraguay Connections 2012 families. From here, you will embark on day trips to meet school children, visit Caacupe, meet artisans and explore the relaxing countryside.
While in Paraguay, families may wish to (re)connect with people and places important in their child's life. If so, extending the length of your trip by a day or two provides you time do so. We’ll make every effort to help with these arrangements. Reminiscing is an important part of the journey and points of connection establish a concrete setting for your child, helping them “experience” parts of their story, a big factor in identity building.
Paraguay Connections is an opportunity for families to visit Paraguay as part of a quality program that is well organized, family focused, and fun! And it's backed by an organization you can count on—The Ties Program.
While we believe strongly in the support a group provides, we know there are times when individual family travel is a better fit. We are happy to work with individual families or small groups of families.
"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.” ~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
Amazon makes a donation to our sister organization, World Ties, and there is NO extra charge to you. All proceeds from Amazon support Project Kindness. Your connection to Amazon must be made through our site, but once there you can purchase ANYTHING at NO additional charge to you!
July 15-28, 2012
