Exciting things are happening at The Ties Program. For 30 years, we have strived to take international adoptees and their families on extraordinary birth country experiences. We have loved every minute of it. The families we have served, our in-house and adjunct travel staff, and the in-country partners we have worked with have brought us joy beyond measure.
After a 3 year shutdown due to Covid, we are thrilled to have reopened Korean Ties and Guatemalan Ties in 2023. In 2024 programs in Kazakhstan, Paraguay, China, Vietnam, India, and maybe Cambodia will reopen!
As 2024 approaches, LOTS has changed in the world of international adoption. One of the most exciting changes is that in big numbers, international adoptees are heading into and living their adult lives. MANY of them have achieved extraordinary goals.
Some of them have developed skill sets that make them ideal to be part of our Adoptive Family Travel Adjunct Travel Staff (and many of those are “Ties kids” who traveled with Ties when they were younger and are now back staffing with us.) At this point, about 70 percent of our adjunct travel staff are international adoptees! Wow, we love the sound of that!
And then there’s this–
THE TIES PROGRAM IS NOW ADOPTEE-OWNED AND OPERATED!!!
One truly exceptional Korean adoptee who has been part of the Ties adjunct travel staff for several years is Dr. Tanya Kaanta. Her program management skill set is top notch and she approaches life from her heart. She has an exceptional understanding of and compassion for the Ties mission, which she is excited to carry forward.
We are beyond blessed and proud to announce that Tanya will take the reins of The Ties Program effective August 2, 2023. Her husband Ben will be enthusiastically by her side. Becca and Bea will continue to be on the team as the Kaanta’s transition into their new roles. Our fabulous program managers Sarah Kurtzahn and Rebecca Blessing will continue on with Tanya and Ben making the transition especially smooth.
A bit more about Tanya and Ben
Tanya is not new to our adoption world. Chances are many of you know her. She is an adult adoptee from South Korea, adopted in 1975. She has spoken at several adoption camps where her depth of knowledge and vibrant nature connect her easily with people. She has a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Intercountry Adoption, Identity, Emotion Work, and Advocacy.
An engineer by degree, Ben has been in several chief-level leadership positions throughout his 20+ year business career. He has certifications in project management and coaching. Tanya and Ben are avid travelers and the parents to two teenage children, Bode and Suvi. Adoption has been a very core element of their relationship and their family.
These are dedicated, knowledgeable, fun, down-to-earth people. We know you will love them and will be well served.
As we collectively transition our roles, Tanya and Ben are committed to nourishing the culture and upholding the values and mission we have been so blessed to create, experience, and share with you throughout these past 30 years. Moreover, we are excited to work with Tanya and Ben in a creative role as we begin integrating new ideas to meet the changing demographic of our adoptive families.
Tanya has added a “Welcome Note” on our website. Check it out.
Our Summer 2024 programs will begin launching soon. Please watch your email, our website, and our social media for registration openings.
Thank you for all the trust and support you have shown us over the years. We are excited about this transition and look forward to writing this next chapter of The Ties Program with Tanya and Ben and all of you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions
With gratitude,
Becca Piper and Bea Evans
Founder and Immediate Past Co-Directors
Contact Information:
Tanya@AdoptiveFamilyTravel.com
Becca@AdoptiveFamilyTravel.com
4 Comments on “Adoptive Family Travel is now Adoptee Owned!”
OH MY GOODNESS! What an amazing announcement. The Dickens/Lundy family travelled to Vietnam with Ties in Dec 2017/Jan 2018. I can’t speak highly enough about the Ties Program and the adventure of a lifetime my husband (Michael), two children (Jaden & Liam) and I had with them. It is a trip we still speak about today. We have maintained a great friendship with one special family (Quinn/Powells) whom we met on that trip and communicate still with Chi on his travels around the world.
Vietnam and TIES have special places in our hearts. I am writing to you 4 days before we begin our 6 month “ex pat” journey to Vietnam. Our daughter Jaden is also preparing to begin a year long TESOL assignment in Vietnam and will likely be in country at least until Christmas 2024. We all you wish you the best as you transition to this new chapter. Please let us know how we can support you.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are very excited for this new endeavor and to continue the great work that The Ties Program has accomplished.
We hope you have an amazing trip to Vietnam!
Will the Russia program be reopened when it is safe?
Absolutely. We look forward to the day we can resume our Russia Ties program.