This agency is the worst. It took over a year from referral for our son to come home. They lie without hesitation. Communication was beyond pathetic. I can't believe they are still in business. The owners are deceptively nice, don't beleive it.
We started an adoption in mid 2007 and had our child home 13 months later, in which we were told the process was around 8-9 months. In my case we had problems with miscommunication, in fact NO communication, and if and when they would FINALLY answer the phone you were misled. We were given so many excuses as to why things weren't moving with our case when in fact it was because they weren't doing anything with it. The employees in Guat were HORRIBLE to work with as well. You were very lucky if they actually did show up to help you in Guat and to do anything with your case. They made you feel completely like the underdog because they knew they always had the upper hand. I would NEVER use this agency again. I am truely happy that we got our beautiful and happy Guatling home but as for as the agency do not do it! HORRIBLE
I had a terrible adoption w/this agency. My adoption took almost 18 months and it was mostly due to incompetence on the part of the agency and the staff they employ in Guat. My son has a LOT of serious issues that I was not made aware of -- the agency claimed that they "didn't know", yet it was all very clear in the Guatemalan SW report. Also, the Foster Mom knew the birth parent and the history.
Communication was AWFUL. Many times no responses to e-mails or calls. Excuses and lies were par for the course. When I would become angry and demand information and relay my disappointment about the treatment of my case and lack of information and agency response, the reply typically was, "So just stop the adoption." I was appalled.
I find it sad that so many beautiful babies and so many loving families are being caused so much hurt and grief.
Our adoption took over 13 months to complete. This agency DOES NOT COMMUNICATE!! I could never get straight answers and they are very very disorganized!! We accepted our daughters refferal when she was 1 week old and we could not even get her birth weight . The care packages we sent to her were never received by the foster Mom. Very sad that they operate like this,because they always have beautiful healthy children available.
My family had a wonderful adoption with DeColores. They always answered our phone calls. We got pictures each month and one month they sent us a video of our son. Friends of ours adopted from China and only got "one" very bad picture prior to their departure. I got to watch my son grow over the 8 months it took to adopt him. Our Guatemalan stay was very pleasant and our guide was fabulous.
One piece of advice I have--when it is time to get your child at the hotel, don't get him or her at 5:30-6:00 at night....it is time for bed and their isn't enough time for bonding. It was a little difficult and we had 6 hours of crying. That was our fault, our flight came in late in the day and we were anxious to get our little guy!
I found this to be a very pleasant experience and I found this agency to be very helpful. We were originally with a large adoption agency and if I continued with them, I would still be waiting for my China referral with one of my friends. Now that orginization basically takes your money and let's you wait, and wait and wait...they don't care!
This adoption would have been quicker If I had got some of my paperwork in sooner. All in all, I think that they are great and my son is healthy, very intelligent, fun-loving and beautiful. I agree with the others, put it in god's hands and it will happen when it is suppose to.
We had a pleasant experience with DeColores and wanted to adopt again from them, but Guatemala is now closed. At the beginning we didn't receive photo's and the communication was slower than what we expected. But things smoothed out and our adoption was a great experience with them. We started our adoption by the last week in March, and after a misspelling of the birth mother's name on the notary and 1 KO new the end... we still brough our son home Thanksgiving weekend. With 2 setbacks, our adoption still only took 8 months and we were very pleased. We came across some bumps in the road, and one while in Guatemala... and DeColores was always there when we needed them.
I would have to admit that I would have liked some more pictures, but we did get our son home in 8 months and that was with a notary problem and a PGN kickout. They did respond to emails within 24-48 hours. Our son is healthy and wonderful. He had a wonderful 1st time foster mother and he was developmentally right on time for his age of 9.5 months when we picked him up (weighing about 19 pounds). We had a great coordinator in Guatemala who was very good with us on the pickup trip and we even enjoyed a breakfast with him after our Embassy appointment. I really think that once the dossier is in Guatemala, there isn't much the agency can do to make the process much quicker, except have good personnel in GT. I would probably use them again if I pursued another Guatemalan adoption as long as we had the same coordinator in GT. It is all about "letting go and letting God" when it comes to international adoption. It is all in His timing.
We considered adoption for a few years and knew people in our area who had adopted from Gautemala. But, not until we got serious did we realize that the three other families had all used Decolores. They all gave very satisfied reports of the agency, despite our numerous questions.
We asked for an interview, before contracting with them, prayed and made sure that it felt right. They were very helpful assisting with the homestudy and INS approval advice. After matching with our little girl and getting registered in Dec., things have moved a little slowly. But, due to the adoption system issues at present, I would think that's expected.
Other ratings mention poor communication, but that has not been our case. Each time we email or call, it is usually answered the same day. I have even been answered when I've emailed after hours since they were working late. Our little girl is older and they've arranged for us to have a phone conversations with her, which were very special. And they've given us several photos and updated ones when we've asked.
This is our first adoption and have nothing to compare it to, but all together we feel Decolores has taken very good care of our case and know that it'll happen in God's timing.
Our adoption of our daughter took 10 months. Yes a little longer than stated, but the problem was the birthmom disappeared, but they did find her. They comforted me when I was panicked and reassured me that they were monitoring it.
Every email I sent was responded to within 24 hours. They answered every question I had and if they didn't know they would find out and emailed me back.
I would have liked more update photos, but our daughter was an older child, so she didn't go to the doctors very often. We did however get surprise photos whenever some from the agency visited...20 pictures at one time.
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Reviews
This agency is the worst. It
This agency is the worst. It took over a year from referral for our son to come home. They lie without hesitation. Communication was beyond pathetic. I can't believe they are still in business. The owners are deceptively nice, don't beleive it.
HORRIBLE
We started an adoption in mid 2007 and had our child home 13 months later, in which we were told the process was around 8-9 months. In my case we had problems with miscommunication, in fact NO communication, and if and when they would FINALLY answer the phone you were misled. We were given so many excuses as to why things weren't moving with our case when in fact it was because they weren't doing anything with it. The employees in Guat were HORRIBLE to work with as well. You were very lucky if they actually did show up to help you in Guat and to do anything with your case. They made you feel completely like the underdog because they knew they always had the upper hand. I would NEVER use this agency again. I am truely happy that we got our beautiful and happy Guatling home but as for as the agency do not do it! HORRIBLE
Horrible agency
I had a terrible adoption w/this agency. My adoption took almost 18 months and it was mostly due to incompetence on the part of the agency and the staff they employ in Guat. My son has a LOT of serious issues that I was not made aware of -- the agency claimed that they "didn't know", yet it was all very clear in the Guatemalan SW report. Also, the Foster Mom knew the birth parent and the history.
Communication was AWFUL. Many times no responses to e-mails or calls. Excuses and lies were par for the course. When I would become angry and demand information and relay my disappointment about the treatment of my case and lack of information and agency response, the reply typically was, "So just stop the adoption." I was appalled.
I find it sad that so many beautiful babies and so many loving families are being caused so much hurt and grief.
Our adoption took over 13
Our adoption took over 13 months to complete. This agency DOES NOT COMMUNICATE!! I could never get straight answers and they are very very disorganized!! We accepted our daughters refferal when she was 1 week old and we could not even get her birth weight . The care packages we sent to her were never received by the foster Mom. Very sad that they operate like this,because they always have beautiful healthy children available.
Great adoption
Hi,
My family had a wonderful adoption with DeColores. They always answered our phone calls. We got pictures each month and one month they sent us a video of our son. Friends of ours adopted from China and only got "one" very bad picture prior to their departure. I got to watch my son grow over the 8 months it took to adopt him. Our Guatemalan stay was very pleasant and our guide was fabulous.
One piece of advice I have--when it is time to get your child at the hotel, don't get him or her at 5:30-6:00 at night....it is time for bed and their isn't enough time for bonding. It was a little difficult and we had 6 hours of crying. That was our fault, our flight came in late in the day and we were anxious to get our little guy!
I found this to be a very pleasant experience and I found this agency to be very helpful. We were originally with a large adoption agency and if I continued with them, I would still be waiting for my China referral with one of my friends. Now that orginization basically takes your money and let's you wait, and wait and wait...they don't care!
This adoption would have been quicker If I had got some of my paperwork in sooner. All in all, I think that they are great and my son is healthy, very intelligent, fun-loving and beautiful. I agree with the others, put it in god's hands and it will happen when it is suppose to.
Adoption of our Son in 2006
We had a pleasant experience with DeColores and wanted to adopt again from them, but Guatemala is now closed. At the beginning we didn't receive photo's and the communication was slower than what we expected. But things smoothed out and our adoption was a great experience with them. We started our adoption by the last week in March, and after a misspelling of the birth mother's name on the notary and 1 KO new the end... we still brough our son home Thanksgiving weekend. With 2 setbacks, our adoption still only took 8 months and we were very pleased. We came across some bumps in the road, and one while in Guatemala... and DeColores was always there when we needed them.
We were satisfied
I would have to admit that I would have liked some more pictures, but we did get our son home in 8 months and that was with a notary problem and a PGN kickout. They did respond to emails within 24-48 hours. Our son is healthy and wonderful. He had a wonderful 1st time foster mother and he was developmentally right on time for his age of 9.5 months when we picked him up (weighing about 19 pounds). We had a great coordinator in Guatemala who was very good with us on the pickup trip and we even enjoyed a breakfast with him after our Embassy appointment. I really think that once the dossier is in Guatemala, there isn't much the agency can do to make the process much quicker, except have good personnel in GT. I would probably use them again if I pursued another Guatemalan adoption as long as we had the same coordinator in GT. It is all about "letting go and letting God" when it comes to international adoption. It is all in His timing.
Our Adoption
We considered adoption for a few years and knew people in our area who had adopted from Gautemala. But, not until we got serious did we realize that the three other families had all used Decolores. They all gave very satisfied reports of the agency, despite our numerous questions.
We asked for an interview, before contracting with them, prayed and made sure that it felt right. They were very helpful assisting with the homestudy and INS approval advice. After matching with our little girl and getting registered in Dec., things have moved a little slowly. But, due to the adoption system issues at present, I would think that's expected.
Other ratings mention poor communication, but that has not been our case. Each time we email or call, it is usually answered the same day. I have even been answered when I've emailed after hours since they were working late. Our little girl is older and they've arranged for us to have a phone conversations with her, which were very special. And they've given us several photos and updated ones when we've asked.
This is our first adoption and have nothing to compare it to, but all together we feel Decolores has taken very good care of our case and know that it'll happen in God's timing.
Our adoption of our daughter
Our adoption of our daughter took 10 months. Yes a little longer than stated, but the problem was the birthmom disappeared, but they did find her. They comforted me when I was panicked and reassured me that they were monitoring it.
Every email I sent was responded to within 24 hours. They answered every question I had and if they didn't know they would find out and emailed me back.
I would have liked more update photos, but our daughter was an older child, so she didn't go to the doctors very often. We did however get surprise photos whenever some from the agency visited...20 pictures at one time.