My wife and I adopted a beautiful little girl from Guatemala in January of 2008. We were both very impressed with the agency from the beginning. It was always very easy to contact all the people that were connected to our adoption when we had any questions. Since it was our first adoption, I have no idea what it would be like going through another agency, but I personally would recommend HATW to my own family and friends. I'm not going to sugar coat anything, but for the most part, our experience was great. There are definitely obstacles to deal with during the process, but they were always there to help us get through everything.
I will admit that the timing issues with everything was a little confusing, but then again, most of the waiting for various items had nothing to do with HATW not doing there job. They could only tell you how to go about the process. Most of the paperwork delays were due to the courts and government systems HATW has no control over.
The process was exciting, lengthy, and aggravating at times, but the people at HATW were always on our side. Yes, we were able to bring home the most beautiful little girl in the world, and that makes all the difference. If we were unable to adopt a baby for any reason, I could probably come up with some reasons to speak negatively about the agency, but I would be wrong. I, like most people in the world would try to find any reason to blame others, especially the agency I was dealing with. I would recommend HATW for adoption.
I find it very interesting that 3 positive reviews show up on the same day to "refute" the negative reviews left by others over the course of months. It makes one wonder about the true motives of the positive reviewers.
I wonder why Miranda finds positive reviews "very interesting" as they came up on the same day but not the negative ones that came up in a short time frame. As someone who is searching info on agencies I frankly view the group negative ones a bit more suspiciously.
My advice...take it all with a grain of salt. I think there are some really great reviews here (positive and negative)...you just have to weed out some the crap. :) Good luck!
It may be purely coincidental, but it is possible.
Here is what I tell people when I recommend this site. Use this site as ONE of your resources when evualating an agency. While the reviews contained herein are beneficial, there are some people on this site who are very adamant about their view/experience to the point that they argue others' experiences. How can you argue one's experience...it's their experience. Furthermore, I also believe that there are some fake reviews (both positive and negative).
As I thought about this some more, I started to remember the classes my wife and I went to. I bet some of the people we met were the people that have given these negative reviews. Some of the people we met actually scared the heck out of my wife and I. If you are a "normal" person, you most likely have nothing to worry about. At times, we thought we were in classes with people from the Adams Family. I'm totally serious. I would have been sick knowing that a little baby may have been brought up by some of those people.
I assure you, Cliff, my husband and I are quite "normal." In fact, I don't think there's anything abnormal at all about having a bad experience with an agency and wanting to warn others. It is perfectly normal to get angry when you have been lied to, accused of mistakes that were actually your social worker's, had to work with a social worker who does not seem to have basic knowledge of the requirements for your country and whose ineptitude causes your adoption to take months longer than it needed to.
I stand by my comment that I find it interesting that all these positive comments have come flooding in at one time. I wouldn't be surprised if this had been orchestrated by Kathi to help save HATW's reputation. I have also been purposely vague and am using a pseudonym since our adoption is not final and I do not trust HATW.
We are trying to use this site as a resource for agency ratings and value the details of your experience. However, please leave your personal attacks on others out of your review. Completely unnecessary...
I only gave a review because this thing popped up on my computer and asked me too, otherwise no reason other than that. I personally don't care if someone wants to use this agency or not. I was just messing around on my computer when it popped up. By the way, I did not read or care about any of the negative reviews. I have more things in life to worry about. i.e. Fanny May
I am just curious. I am very active in the adoption community and I only found this site by networking. I have NEVER had anything pop up on my screen asking me to provide a review. Where you visiting a specific adoption website?
Jeff: have you enabled pop up messages on other's sites? If so, this is a great way to advertise.
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Reviews
Hands Across The Water was wonderful throughout our adoption pro
My wife and I adopted a beautiful little girl from Guatemala in January of 2008. We were both very impressed with the agency from the beginning. It was always very easy to contact all the people that were connected to our adoption when we had any questions. Since it was our first adoption, I have no idea what it would be like going through another agency, but I personally would recommend HATW to my own family and friends. I'm not going to sugar coat anything, but for the most part, our experience was great. There are definitely obstacles to deal with during the process, but they were always there to help us get through everything.
I will admit that the timing issues with everything was a little confusing, but then again, most of the waiting for various items had nothing to do with HATW not doing there job. They could only tell you how to go about the process. Most of the paperwork delays were due to the courts and government systems HATW has no control over.
The process was exciting, lengthy, and aggravating at times, but the people at HATW were always on our side. Yes, we were able to bring home the most beautiful little girl in the world, and that makes all the difference. If we were unable to adopt a baby for any reason, I could probably come up with some reasons to speak negatively about the agency, but I would be wrong. I, like most people in the world would try to find any reason to blame others, especially the agency I was dealing with. I would recommend HATW for adoption.
I find it very interesting
I find it very interesting that 3 positive reviews show up on the same day to "refute" the negative reviews left by others over the course of months. It makes one wonder about the true motives of the positive reviewers.
Why Are the Positive Reviews "Interesting"
I wonder why Miranda finds positive reviews "very interesting" as they came up on the same day but not the negative ones that came up in a short time frame. As someone who is searching info on agencies I frankly view the group negative ones a bit more suspiciously.
Hey catwoman
My advice...take it all with a grain of salt. I think there are some really great reviews here (positive and negative)...you just have to weed out some the crap. :) Good luck!
It's possible...
It may be purely coincidental, but it is possible.
Here is what I tell people when I recommend this site. Use this site as ONE of your resources when evualating an agency. While the reviews contained herein are beneficial, there are some people on this site who are very adamant about their view/experience to the point that they argue others' experiences. How can you argue one's experience...it's their experience. Furthermore, I also believe that there are some fake reviews (both positive and negative).
adoption
As I thought about this some more, I started to remember the classes my wife and I went to. I bet some of the people we met were the people that have given these negative reviews. Some of the people we met actually scared the heck out of my wife and I. If you are a "normal" person, you most likely have nothing to worry about. At times, we thought we were in classes with people from the Adams Family. I'm totally serious. I would have been sick knowing that a little baby may have been brought up by some of those people.
"Normal" person here
I assure you, Cliff, my husband and I are quite "normal." In fact, I don't think there's anything abnormal at all about having a bad experience with an agency and wanting to warn others. It is perfectly normal to get angry when you have been lied to, accused of mistakes that were actually your social worker's, had to work with a social worker who does not seem to have basic knowledge of the requirements for your country and whose ineptitude causes your adoption to take months longer than it needed to.
I stand by my comment that I find it interesting that all these positive comments have come flooding in at one time. I wouldn't be surprised if this had been orchestrated by Kathi to help save HATW's reputation. I have also been purposely vague and am using a pseudonym since our adoption is not final and I do not trust HATW.
Hey Cliff
We are trying to use this site as a resource for agency ratings and value the details of your experience. However, please leave your personal attacks on others out of your review. Completely unnecessary...
Adoption
Sorry if I offended anyone. Just trying to be honest. Good luck with your process.
Review
I only gave a review because this thing popped up on my computer and asked me too, otherwise no reason other than that. I personally don't care if someone wants to use this agency or not. I was just messing around on my computer when it popped up. By the way, I did not read or care about any of the negative reviews. I have more things in life to worry about. i.e. Fanny May
What popped up on your screen?
I am just curious. I am very active in the adoption community and I only found this site by networking. I have NEVER had anything pop up on my screen asking me to provide a review. Where you visiting a specific adoption website?
Jeff: have you enabled pop up messages on other's sites? If so, this is a great way to advertise.
adoption
It actually popped up on my email.