I recently returned from an unforgettable journey to Colombia with Spence-Chapin, an organization known for its dedication to family services and adoption. The trip was designed to observe their Granny Program in action, a program created to support children in Colombia’s child protection system. I was honored to be invited for this impact trip with several of Spence-Chapin’s leadership team and a few of their board members.
While there, we also met with new “waiting children,” kids for whom intercountry adoption is their last chance at a forever family.
Going into this trip, I expected a meaningful experience. But I was not prepared for just how deeply this journey would impact me!
We visited several child protection institutions—think “orphanages”—in both Bogotá and Cali, to witness firsthand how the Granny Program is transforming the lives of children.
In Colombia, I learned, the ratio of caregivers to children can be as high as 1 caregiver for every 50 children, which makes it nearly impossible to provide meaningful attention to each child. The Granny Program, started by the incredible folks of Spence-Chapin’s international programs team and funded by the generosity of donors, was developed to change this reality. Through the program, each granny is matched with two children, dedicating 4-5 hours a day, 5-6 days a week to these children. These grannies are from the local community of the institutions they serve, and not only do they offer love and affection, but they also undergo specialized training to help children meet critical developmental milestones, regardless of age—from babies to teens.
Witnessing the Resilience of Grannies and Children
Our team visited four different child protection institutions. The first three were in Bogotá and the last one was in Cali. Throughout each visit, I had two powerful observations that really resonated with me. First, I was moved by the grannies themselves. Many of these women had endured challenging lives. Colombia has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world, with women and children particularly affected. I learned that about 90% of the grannies I met had likely experienced domestic violence. And here they were, giving back—creating bonds, providing love, and supporting the emotional development of these children. Seeing their impact on the kids, and knowing how much they gained from the experience themselves, was incredibly inspiring.
The second realization came when I met the children. These were children who had faced neglect, abuse, and unimaginable hardships–perpetrated by the people who should have been their protectors, their caregivers. And yet, when they saw us, their first reaction was to run up and greet us with hugs, high-fives, laughter, and excitement. They craved connection, love, and joy, despite having been denied the safe and nurturing childhood they deserved. It was heart-wrenching and heartwarming all at once. Witnessing their resilience and openness reminded me of the incredible potential these kids have when shown even a fraction of the love they need.
The Case for Intercountry Adoption
Before this trip, I’d thought a lot about intercountry adoption but didn’t have a solid perspective on it. What I saw in Colombia changed that. Organizations like Spence-Chapin are making a real difference, working closely with Colombia’s government and carefully vetted institutions to ensure children’s needs are being met at every step. In Colombia, most children in these institutions eventually reunite with a birth family member, whether a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin. For those who cannot be reunited, the institutions work diligently to find adoptive families within Colombia. However, for some children—often those with special needs or sibling groups—finding a family within Colombia is more challenging. These children, known as “waiting children,” are eventually made eligible for intercountry adoption, making countries like the U.S., Canada, and others their last hope for a forever family.
A Call to Action
If I could, I would adopt all of the waiting children I met. Each of them deserves a loving, permanent family, and none of them are in the system due to any fault of their own. They are resilient, full of potential, and in need of the unconditional love, support and advocacy that every child should have. Programs like Spence-Chapin’s Granny Program show us the impact that even small acts of kindness and connection can have on these children’s lives. And for those who are open to adoption, especially adopting waiting children, the opportunity to make a difference is transformative—not just for the child but also for the families who welcome them.
As I reflect on this journey, I am grateful to Spence-Chapin for bringing these critical programs to light, advocating for children in need, and showing us the transformative power of love and connection.
