We have been on the lookout for a country that would allow our Angel K Love Project vision and mission to thrive. We begin our research in Colorado and found that the laws are too strict and difficult to work with as a same-sex couple. We also found that the USA is very expensive compared to some other countries at the time of writing this blog post. In 2014, we decided to embark on some travel research in the South Pacific area using our own funds. We spent 4 months in Australia and 6 months in New Zealand. We loved their alternative schools and we learn so much about horse therapy, but found the laws for North Americans to become residents were very strict, VERY expensive and difficult to accomplish. Then in 2017 we sold our house and used our own funds to visit Ecuador. We knew that their laws are not as strict to become residents and it is very affordable to live there. We learned so much from attending the International Living Conference in Quito, but soon after the conference we were sadly disappointed to find out that Ecuador does not allow same-sex couples to adopt children. That was a huge problem for us since we want to adopt many kids, and we also want to help other same-sex couples adopt children too. After being in Ecuador for only a week and a half, we were then guided to fly to Uruguay to see what it had to offer the AKLP. We heard that Uruguay was the most progressive country in South America AND affordable. Same-sex marriage as also been legal since 2013. So, we made the decision to travel to Uruguay with an open heart and we have not been disappointed. What We Learned From Uruguayan Adoption AttorneysWithin the first 2 weeks of being in the capital of Uruguay, we were able to get many important questions answered. We made an appointment at one of the leading firms in Montevideo called Fischer & Schickendantz. Their firm specializes in providing many legal services for individuals and companies who want to relocate to Uruguay. They are basically a one-stop, full-service law firm that works mostly with international clients.
When we made an appointment for an initial consultation, we were pleasantly surprised by our experience. First, we were greeted not by one, but two attorneys who specialized in adoption. Then, we expected to have maybe 15 minutes of their time and then come back for another paid appointment, like it is done in the USA, but that was not the case at all. On the contrary, they sat with us for over an hour, answered all the questions, and gave us additional information all for FREE! We were so grateful! They were both so kind and also very enthusiastic about our Angel K Love Project goals. OUR 3 BIG QUESTIONS WERE: 1. Can we foster and adopt children as a same-sex couple?
2. Can we start a Non-Profit in Uruguay?
3. Can we start a private holistic boarding school for orphaned and abandoned children in Uruguay?
4. CAN WE AFFORD TO BUY PROPERTY IN URUGUAY?
We learned a lot from this travel research, and we love what Uruguay has to offer for the AKLP, but we will need to travel back to Colorado and see how much we qualify for specifically to get a loan to purchase property overseas. We will also need to host more fundraisers to help with nonprofit start-up costs. To be continued...
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