we had NO problems, the staff were wonderful, the nannies are loving, and the process was smooth. there were no surprises. They provided lots of education to us both individually and on the group. I have talked to over 30 families from IAG that are happy with their adoption and a good number of those have gone through multiple adoptions with IAG. The person writing the review for march 2010 is crazy and did nothing but complain about the whole process and people. The other issue is that her children of note are 1 and 4. Not reliable for telling "stories" on what went on in Ethiopia. Talk about a psycho case, none of us know how she and 2 others EVER passed their home study. What a bunch of nutballs! On a serious note, the agency is caring, cares about the children, and gives to the community surrounding their care center.
I would give IAG zero stars if that were an option. I adopted two older children through IAG's Ethiopia program. Once they were able to talk, they told me horror stories about their treatment in IAG care. They were also told to lie about their ages. The stories given to me about their histories pre-orphanage (by IAG) are totally different than what the kids have told me. There were ethical issues all over the place...and I couldn't see them once I saw the pictures of the kids. It made me blind to things that should have been glaring problems. PLEASE, do yourself a favor and use an agency that will let you meet the family/extended family/whomever is still alive. Don't put yourself in my shoes.
We had a real nightmare with IAG's Guatemala Program. I agree with the earlier review that the biggest problem was Deidre Dudley the Guatemala Coordinator who was unprofessional, completely unknowledgable and irresponsible. She almost cost us our adoption- we did get our son and daughter home- and I give Mary Mooney, the Director some credit- because she actually took over our case and helped us to get it completed- we had to hire Adoption Supervisors to intervene and the case could not have been more of a mess. After Deidre who was a disaster, the other biggest issue is that they did not thoroughly check out their attorneys who they had relationships with in Guatemala and there was no one at the office who even spoke Spanish so it was difficult to get ANY information at all about your case- At one point, when they did not no where our son was in Guatemala- Deidre actually said to me, "My hands are tied"- Why the heck did we pay them then? I think Deidre no longer works for them- Thank God- but I would caution anyone to really ask a lot of questions to see really how experienced and knowledgable they are for that country's program.
IAG has lovingly helped us along every step of the way on our adoption journey. Yes, there have been setbacks, yes, there has been waiting. None of this due to IAG. Intenational adoption is hard, and you are bound to run into problems but let me assure you that this agency actually CARES about you , your family and the children.
In my opinion there is no ther choice but IAG.
Rebekke Roberts
Gig Harbor,WA
Please find another agency. There are so many. IAG is one of the few FOR-profit adoption agencies, meaning the bottom line is king.
There are so many reasons to find another agency.
If you would like to contact me off line, I can explain the horrors that my children came home with three years ago.
I am thinking of switching agencies and using IAG (International Adoption GUides). We are looking to adopt two children (possible waiting children) from Ethiopia. I would LOVE to have anyone who has recently worked with this agency to please give some feedback. Feeling a little nervous about changing agencies.
Thank you so much!
The coordinator for their Guatemala program was a total. complete. nightmare. She was completely and totally petrified of the attorney in Guatemala and refused to get case updates or push for the lazy attorney to do her job. She actually whined and complained about how she didn't want to make the attorney mad and how her feelings would get hurt. WHO CARES??? Do your job!
The adoption manual we received stated that we would receive monthly medical updates. Nope. Not one. We received a weight/height twice (in one year) and that is not a medical update in my honest opinion.
I do not think this coordinator, Deidre Dudley, is still working with IAG - but my overall impression of the *other staff* at IAG was that they were great to work with. Deidre should not be involved with adoptions. Ever. Again. She literally was at the core of MANY families utter distress and heartbreak - heartbreak that would have been avoidable had she not been a total loon and could do her job.
Working as an adoption agency coordinator requires patience, compassion and most importantly, *dilligence* - Deidre Dudley possessed none of those qualities.
We have been with International Adoption Guides for one year.
Our Adoption Guide is Cyndi Peck, and she's also a mother of 8, including two girls from Ethiopia. She has thoroughly prepared us for the various steps involved and has been very helpful.
She is no longer with IAG so I cannot recommend this program or agency.
My adoption is not yet complete. I have been LID 17 months. Sometimes they are called International Adoption Guides; sometimes the "International" is left off. Excellent and caring communication, and the least expensive agency out there, plus valuable partnership with the Our Chinese Daughters Foundation www.ocdf.org, for travel and resource in China.
Small, individualized attention. Even now, 17 months after LID, I get a response to my email in less than 3 hours, and I get my call answered by the China Guide right away, as we all call her home #. The China Guide has been working in this position for 10 years, no turn-over here.
I love them.
I adopted from Ethiopia but I did not use International Adoption Guides
From a friend of mine who did adopt through IAG, I know that so many
families who used IAG for their Ethiopian adoption have complained
that IAG is being investigated by the Hague to possibly revoke their
accreditation in Ethiopia. Feel free to contact the Hague to verify this information.
There are many good agencies to use for your Ethiopian adoption, ones that do not
have so much negativity associated with them. Please do your homework
so you will have a happy adoption experience.
I only put 1 star because I was not allowed to give 0
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Reviews
adoption from ethiopia
we had NO problems, the staff were wonderful, the nannies are loving, and the process was smooth. there were no surprises. They provided lots of education to us both individually and on the group. I have talked to over 30 families from IAG that are happy with their adoption and a good number of those have gone through multiple adoptions with IAG. The person writing the review for march 2010 is crazy and did nothing but complain about the whole process and people. The other issue is that her children of note are 1 and 4. Not reliable for telling "stories" on what went on in Ethiopia. Talk about a psycho case, none of us know how she and 2 others EVER passed their home study. What a bunch of nutballs! On a serious note, the agency is caring, cares about the children, and gives to the community surrounding their care center.
Nightmare
I would give IAG zero stars if that were an option. I adopted two older children through IAG's Ethiopia program. Once they were able to talk, they told me horror stories about their treatment in IAG care. They were also told to lie about their ages. The stories given to me about their histories pre-orphanage (by IAG) are totally different than what the kids have told me. There were ethical issues all over the place...and I couldn't see them once I saw the pictures of the kids. It made me blind to things that should have been glaring problems. PLEASE, do yourself a favor and use an agency that will let you meet the family/extended family/whomever is still alive. Don't put yourself in my shoes.
INternational Adoption Guides
MCMom
We had a real nightmare with IAG's Guatemala Program. I agree with the earlier review that the biggest problem was Deidre Dudley the Guatemala Coordinator who was unprofessional, completely unknowledgable and irresponsible. She almost cost us our adoption- we did get our son and daughter home- and I give Mary Mooney, the Director some credit- because she actually took over our case and helped us to get it completed- we had to hire Adoption Supervisors to intervene and the case could not have been more of a mess. After Deidre who was a disaster, the other biggest issue is that they did not thoroughly check out their attorneys who they had relationships with in Guatemala and there was no one at the office who even spoke Spanish so it was difficult to get ANY information at all about your case- At one point, when they did not no where our son was in Guatemala- Deidre actually said to me, "My hands are tied"- Why the heck did we pay them then? I think Deidre no longer works for them- Thank God- but I would caution anyone to really ask a lot of questions to see really how experienced and knowledgable they are for that country's program.
Loving, caring agency
IAG has lovingly helped us along every step of the way on our adoption journey. Yes, there have been setbacks, yes, there has been waiting. None of this due to IAG. Intenational adoption is hard, and you are bound to run into problems but let me assure you that this agency actually CARES about you , your family and the children.
In my opinion there is no ther choice but IAG.
Rebekke Roberts
Gig Harbor,WA
IAG--Steer clear
Please find another agency. There are so many. IAG is one of the few FOR-profit adoption agencies, meaning the bottom line is king.
There are so many reasons to find another agency.
If you would like to contact me off line, I can explain the horrors that my children came home with three years ago.
lakebentonlake@gmail.com
IAG- Adoption Guides
I am thinking of switching agencies and using IAG (International Adoption GUides). We are looking to adopt two children (possible waiting children) from Ethiopia. I would LOVE to have anyone who has recently worked with this agency to please give some feedback. Feeling a little nervous about changing agencies.
Thank you so much!
FALSE ALLEGATIONS
Contacted Hague, it is false. IAG is NOT under any investigation. So sad free speech is abused like this. Jen, you hurt so many people...
Guatemala was a nightmare
The coordinator for their Guatemala program was a total. complete. nightmare. She was completely and totally petrified of the attorney in Guatemala and refused to get case updates or push for the lazy attorney to do her job. She actually whined and complained about how she didn't want to make the attorney mad and how her feelings would get hurt. WHO CARES??? Do your job!
The adoption manual we received stated that we would receive monthly medical updates. Nope. Not one. We received a weight/height twice (in one year) and that is not a medical update in my honest opinion.
I do not think this coordinator, Deidre Dudley, is still working with IAG - but my overall impression of the *other staff* at IAG was that they were great to work with. Deidre should not be involved with adoptions. Ever. Again. She literally was at the core of MANY families utter distress and heartbreak - heartbreak that would have been avoidable had she not been a total loon and could do her job.
Working as an adoption agency coordinator requires patience, compassion and most importantly, *dilligence* - Deidre Dudley possessed none of those qualities.
PLEASE find another agency
We have been with International Adoption Guides for one year.
Our Adoption Guide is Cyndi Peck, and she's also a mother of 8, including two girls from Ethiopia. She has thoroughly prepared us for the various steps involved and has been very helpful.
She is no longer with IAG so I cannot recommend this program or agency.
My adoption is not yet
My adoption is not yet complete. I have been LID 17 months. Sometimes they are called International Adoption Guides; sometimes the "International" is left off. Excellent and caring communication, and the least expensive agency out there, plus valuable partnership with the Our Chinese Daughters Foundation www.ocdf.org, for travel and resource in China.
Small, individualized attention. Even now, 17 months after LID, I get a response to my email in less than 3 hours, and I get my call answered by the China Guide right away, as we all call her home #. The China Guide has been working in this position for 10 years, no turn-over here.
I love them.
Investigation by the Hague
I adopted from Ethiopia but I did not use International Adoption Guides
From a friend of mine who did adopt through IAG, I know that so many
families who used IAG for their Ethiopian adoption have complained
that IAG is being investigated by the Hague to possibly revoke their
accreditation in Ethiopia. Feel free to contact the Hague to verify this information.
There are many good agencies to use for your Ethiopian adoption, ones that do not
have so much negativity associated with them. Please do your homework
so you will have a happy adoption experience.
I only put 1 star because I was not allowed to give 0