Guatemala The Facility The Guatemalan adoptable children are cared for by a private Guatemalan organization that runs a licensed facility in which the children reside. Located in an area about 40 miles outside of Guatemala City, the facility consists of two children's homes. One home houses newborns and infants ranging in age from several days to one year old. The other home houses toddlers and older children. Both homes are very clean and well maintained. Each home is surrounded by a large yard with a play area. The infants' facility has many baby swings and jumpy-seats. There is a kitchen area in which baby food is pureed from fresh fruits and prepared daily. Each baby has his/her own crib. The toddler/older children's facility has a playground in the yard surrounding the home. An examining room for each home is located on-site, in which in-house pediatricians perform medical examinations and administer vaccines. Each home has its own on-site laundry room with a kitchen and washer and dryer. The Staff The Director of the children's home is a United States citizen who oversees the staff and care of the children, and manages the administrative details of the adoption cases. The Director's wife is a Guatemalan attorney who handles the legal processing of each case. The Director and the Attorney have 3 children, and they live in a house near the children's facility. There are approximately 64 nannies who work for the organization. The nannies are divided up into different shifts and divided between both children's homes. They are constantly interacting with the children by feeding them, changing diapers, holding them and playing with them. There are also 2 pediatricians who serve as in-house medical providers for the children. A driver, who is an independent contractor, has worked with the facility for 6 years. He drives the adoptive parents back and forth between the airport and the facility, and chauffeurs them around the area. continue >> LAST UPDATED: 10.26.2000 All Rights Reserved! ©2000