Main Office M-F 9 AM-5 PM +1-301-664-9664
24/7 Crisis Pregnancy ONLY Hotline for Maryland/Virginia/DC:+1-888-731-6601 or TEXT: 240-600-1106
PWNL (Older Child) after hours counselor:+1-888-955-3339
Tours are open to all adoptees and adoptive families regardless of whether Barker was your placing agency. The trip is geared toward families with teens or young adults ages 13−25 and is designed as an introduction to the child’s birth country, offering opportunities to experience Colombia’s rich culture and the experience of visiting FANA. At FANA, families will have the opportunity to meet with a FANA social worker to learn about the child’s personal history and spend time with children living at FANA. In the past we have also visited with expectant mothers who are considering placing their children for adoption.
All Colombia adoptive families are welcome on Barker’s Tour! In the past, families have visited their child's orphanage immediately after the official tour ends.
The Tour is tentatively scheduled for July 3-11, 2017.
Sue Hollar, Carolina Kenrick, Barbara Donesky, and Maria Teresa de Perez will lead the Barker tour. Sue, a social worker, is Barker’s Associate Director and has worked in the child/welfare adoption field for 25 years. Carolina, Barker’s International Consultant, is a native Spanish speaker and has worked in the adoption field for three decades. Barbara is in private practice and facilitates Barker's Adoptive Parents' Support Groups. Maria Teresa served as Barker's Colombian representative for decades and is considered by hundreds of families to have played a hugely significant role in their adoption. Sue, Carolina, and Maria Teresa have worked together to lead multiple Homeland Tours and offer the skills and expertise that makes Barker’s adoption-sensitive tour unlike any other.
The tour participants will visit FANA and meet with a FANA social worker to learn about their personal history. In addition, participants visit the Hogar (the home for birth mothers), and meet with women considering an adoption plan. Tour participants will also enjoy Colombia’s rich culture with an itinerary to include:
The cost for the tour is $1,800 per person (excluding airfare).
The orientation meeting for all tour participants will be held at Barker’s Bethesda office at a time to be determined. Participation by phone is also available for those living outside of the DC Metro area.
Download an application here and send it along with your deposit to:
The Barker Adoption Foundation
Attention: Sue Hollar
7979 Old Georgetown Road, First Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Send an email or call Sue Hollar at 301.664.9664 to let us know if you are interested in registering for the tour or if you’d like additional information.