Forever Family Friday!
Hooray! We are delighted to announce that a family has begun submitting their paperwork to bring this little guy home forever! Congratulations from all of us at GWCA and CAN, we are so excited to see this kiddo come home.
We are currently advocating for many other children that are in need of Forever Families! If your family is interested in learning how you can be matched with one of them, our Matching Specialists would be more than happy to speak with you. One of the benefits of our China adoption program is that families can be matched at any point in the process, so you can find your kiddo right away and get started! Visit our Photo Listing today to learn more bout the kids that we’re advocating for!
- Visit the Waiting Child Photo Listing
- Contact our China Matching Specialists
- Learn more about adopting from China
Letter from an Adoptee
One of GWCA’s amazing adoptees recently wrote a letter about adoption for a March Madness fundraiser at her school and won one of the grand prizes! In her letter, she wrote about the impact that adoption has had on her life as it brought her to her Forever Family. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Ting!
In August the year of 2006 a couple decided to add a new addition to their family. On November 2 of 2009 a little girl was able to officially have a family of her own. What the little girl didn’t know was that it was all because of one organization that brought them together. That little girl was me. The “Great Wall China Adoption” agency has helped more than 9,000 children find their forever families. In addition, they help guide these families along the adoption process, from the multitudes of paperwork to traveling to their waiting child. Why is Great Wall China Adoption agency so special from the other adoption organizations? Well it’s because they have an international office in Beijing, the capital of China. Great Wall’s China Division is fully staffed by bi-lingual employees, who have strong relationships with the Chinese government. They are there for families every day of the week and not to mention, I’m here! Their mission is to help children around the world find loving and permanent families of their own. One of Great Wall’s core values is that children should grow up in a setting that offers them the “optimal conditions for full emotional, cultural and physical development”. I strongly agree. If a child is suddenly moved into a new environment that he or she has no clue as to where they are and who these people are who are trying to play with them, speak a totally different language and even smell different, a nurturing and loving environment is a must, in order to attach to that particular family. Great Wall China Adoption agency’s main goals are: to work with countries around the world to find homes for children who were abandoned and orphaned, help the United States and foreign governments to improve the international adoption process, to develop laws to protect children and act as ambassadors to educate people toward creating a better relationship between US and other countries. The organization was founded by President and CEO, Snow Wu, who has felt dedicated to helping children.
Every year on November 2nd, my “forever family day”, my family and I do something special like going to a Chinese restaurant and my parents give me a special gift that was brought from China while they went there to get me. I was around 7 months old when I was found in front of an orphanage gate with nothing but clothes and a pink blanket that was wrapped around me. I was taken in and cared for, provided with food, clothes, few toys and friends. When I was just turning 7, I met my parents. Of course at the time, I didn’t want to do anything with them, crying when I first met because the one place I knew was home and my friends, I would have to leave behind. Now as I look back, I am thankful for everything I have. For all the good memories and sometimes I look through all the videos and photos of when I was in China with my parents, and just smile and laugh. It was the Great Wall’s ambassadors that led my parents to the agency and Great Wall’s dedication, that my parents found me. It Great Wall which helped my parents come get me. It was Great Wall that helped me know what a family truly is.
The number of abandoned children in China has dropped steadily in the last decades but the numbers still remain too high. Today, almost all of China’s unwanted children have disabilities. In addition, Chinese law says kids can no longer be adopted at the age of 14. If you think about it, some people might not want a child who is has already established their personality or is mentally and physically ill. So those children will grow up knowing nobody ever wanted them. The estimated cost of adopting China is 20,000 to 25,000! But someone will spend that much, when they know that they’ll get a daughter or a son that they can call their own. People from the U.S. had adopted nearly 13,000 children from the 106 different countries in 2009, just a little more than two-thirds of all children come from only five countries: China (23%), Ethiopia (18%), Russia (12%), South Korea (8%) and Guatemala (6%). As you see here, more people like my parents, have decided to take a leap of faith and go through with adopting a child that is not their own blood. These families sometimes can’t create a family on their own so they look to adoption, desperate to have kids running around the house.
I want to give back to the people who helped me and many others to find an everlasting family. And I want a family to fall in love with the sound of a child’s laughter, their screaming, and their love. I want a family to be able to hug a child in their arms, to read a bedtime story. Or just simply hear the words “I love you”. You too can help many child or a waiting family.
For more information about GWCA’s China adoption program, contact our Matching Specialists or visit our Waiting Child Photo Listing today!
Contact ana@gwca.org today to learn how you can share your family’s adoption story!
Read More8 New Kids on the Block
Jacob is an amazing 12 year old boy that has cerebral palsy. One of our Great Wall staff members met Jacob when she visited China last month and she said that he is happy, smart, kind and charismatic kiddo! Jacob was just beaming with joy and enthusiasm the entire time our GWCA staff member was there! Our Great Wall staff member said that even though he has cerebral palsy that it doesn’t affect his ability to walk, run or dance. He does not need any assistance with getting around at all. He can play with his friends normally just like any other child. His CP also doesn’t affect his ability to write or pick up small objects. He can speak and have conversations, but his pronunciation is sometimes unclear due to his jaw muscles being quite tense. Jacob is in 5th grade and is one of the top students in his class. His caregivers say that he is very smart. He has great self-care abilities such as dressing himself, bathing himself and eating on his own. The caretakers at Jacob’s orphanage said that he is always asking when he will be getting a Mom and a Dad. Jacob told our Great Wall staff member that he really wants to be adopted!Jacob will age out of the China adoption system in about a year and a half, so he really needs to find his Forever Family soon. Will you be that family? If you are interested in learning more about Jacob, or if you would like to talk to the China Matching Specialist that met Jacob in China, please feel free to contact us! We look forward to helping Jacob find the parents he has always dreamed of! Watch My videos: Video #1, Video #2, Video #3
Chandler is an adorable little 2 year old who loves to smile! Chandler was born with aplasia of his optic nerve. There is limited information in his file regarding how this affects his vision, but Great Wall is working to get an update. At the age of 10 months he entered an infant program where he thrived. He was able to roll over, grasp toys, babble and giggle. At the age of 1 year and 4 months he could sit up on his own with some support, imitate adult’s words and actions, and has a routine schedule. He is described as being an introverted kiddo who loves listening to music and playing with rattles. Contact Great Wall if you’d like to review his file!
Jenna is an adorable 7 year old girl who is blind in her right eye. Her file indicates that she has some mobility impairment as well, but her orphanage has done a fantastic job providing her with rehabilitation services. Her caregivers have also provided her with sensory integration training to assist with her partial blindness! She loves to learn and spend time with her caregivers and teachers. Although she has some trouble walking, she loves sports and loves to play with balls and cars. If you’d like to review her full file, please reach out to Great Wall!
Marnie is a sweet 8 year old girl with mild cerebral palsy and an outer ear deformity. Although her outer ear formed a little differently, she is able to hear well! Her caretakers say that she loves to play games with the other children and does well studying and following along with her teacher. From her file, it sounds like Marnie can walk, but she may have trouble moving her right side. If you’d like to learn more about Marnie, please reach out to Great Wall!
Esther is a great little girl that just turned 12 years old. Esther’s right hand doesn’t work very well and her right foot has a little less flexibility than her left foot, but other than that she seems to be doing very well! She can walk, run and jump normally and she can write and do other tasks with her left hand. She has normal intelligence compared with her peers and she is in school in a regular class with other children. Her best subject in school is math. She can communicate well with adults. Like many young girls she likes going shopping and buying new clothes. She also likes playing with water toys and playing outside.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Esther. We hope we are able to find Esther her Forever Family soon!
Hello! My name is Abigail and I am 9 years old. My doctor’s say that I have cerebral palsy, but that doesn’t stop me from being a happy kiddo! I am very close to my caretakers, and love to spend time with the other kiddos in the orphanage! My file is a little outdated, but my friends at Great Wall are working hard to find out more about me! Please reach out to Great Wall if you’d like to learn more!
Sadie is a sweet girl who will be turning 10 this May! Sadie has significant hearing loss and unable to speak, but she does a wonderful job communicating her needs to her caregivers. She also has some motor delays, but is able to walk on her own without assistance. Sadie is partially deaf, but is sometimes able to hear music or hear her name being called by her caregivers! Her caregivers describe her as a generous, sweet kiddo who loves her teachers and the other children in the orphanage. She likes to study for school, and often sits in on other children’s lessons in order to learn more. She also loves to draw and will sometimes sing if she can hear the music playing. She does a wonderful job caring for herself and other children, and is extremely helpful to the caregivers. She can also write numbers and words and is always eager to learn more. If you’d like to review Sadie’s full file, please reach out to Great Wall!
Sally is a precious 10 year old girl who was born with cerebral palsy. She has been receiving rehabilitation services in her institute since she was 6 months old. She has great self-care ability and is able to follow directions well. Her caretakers mention that she gets along extremely well with other children and she often shares her toys when she sees that other kiddos are upset. She is loving, active and always smiling! Her file is a little outdated so GWCA is working hard to learn more about her progress. If you’d like to review her file, contact one of our Matching Specialists!
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Limb Difference Awareness Month – Bella Takes First Steps!
It’s Limb Difference Awareness Month, and we wanted to take a moment to share the story of one little girl who came home in 2012. Bella is an adorable little lady who was born with a limb differences. Despite the fact that her legs are a little bit different than her friends’, she was able to take her first steps after being fitted for prosthetic legs. With the love and support of her family, she has continued to flourish and become more independent each day. Watch the video below to see her taking her first steps.
Read MoreTwo New Orphanage Partnerships in Zhejiang Province!
We are very excited to announce that our agency has recently gained two new Orphanage Partnerships in Zhejiang Province! Our China Orphanage Partnership team visited the orphanages and screened many kids that are waiting to be placed. We are extremely grateful to CCCWA, Zhejiang Civil Affairs and our new orphanage partners for trusting our agency with the responsibility to find forever homes for their children.
What is an Orphanage Partnership?
GWCA’s Orphanage Partnerships work directly with our agency to prepare children’s files so that we can place them with loving Forever Families as quickly as possible! Once a child’s file has been prepared by one of our partner orphanages, it is given directly to our agency rather than being placed on China’s Shared List. This means that our families have the opportunity to be among the first to see these children’s files when considering if they would be a good fit for their family. If you’re interested in learning more about the kiddos from our OPs, contact our China Matching Specialists, or visit our China Waiting Child Photo Listing today!
- Visit our Waiting Child Photo Listing
- Contact our China matching Team to learn how you can be matched with a kid from one of our OPs!
6 New Kids on the Block
Hi there! My name is Lily and I am 7 years old. I was born with something called Down’s Syndrome, but I don’t let that keep me from being a happy little girl! One of my friend’s at Great Wall visited me in China earlier this year and she would love to speak with prospective families about me! I am a very smart girl who goes to school and learns alongside my peers, most of whom don’t have Down’s Syndrome. I get along well with others, follow directions well and am a good student. I can identify different colors, animals and can identify the different parts of my face and body. When my friend from Great Wall visited me recently I went right up to her and held her hand, which shows what a sweet little girl I am. You can contact my friends at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting me! I hope my friends at Great Wall find my Forever Family soon!
Click the links below to watch my videos!
Video #1! | Video #2! | Video #3! | Video #4! | Video #5!
Hello there! My name is Nate and I am 12 years old. My file indicates that I had hydrocephalus when I was younger, but I seem to be doing great! I am currently with a foster family, and they are teaching me English! I love to learn new things in school and help my caregivers and teachers. I also love to play with toys, sing, and dance! I am described as being a very happy and independent kiddo. If you’d like to learn more about me, please contact my friends at Great Wall China Adoption!
Hi there! My name is Dean and I am 8 years old. I had spina bifida when I first came to the orphanage and clubbed feet, but I have had surgeries for both and have been doing extremely well! I can stand up on my own, and my friends at Great Wall are working hard now to find out if I can now walk! My Chinese name means “brave”, and my caretakers describe me as very brave, resilient, and clever. I also love to laugh and spend time with my caregivers and the other kiddos! If you’d like to learn more about me, please reach out to my friends at Great Wall!
Hi my name is Lexi and I am 6 years old! My file indicates that I have high muscular tension but my friends at Great Wall are still trying to learn more about me. My file is a little outdated but I was receiving rehabilitation training at the time that my file was prepared. This helped me become stronger and more independent. I began being able to sit up on my own, crawl, eat by myself and babble. I’m closest to my caretaker and I am described as being an active kiddo! Great Wall is working hard to learn more about me! Contact them if you’d like to review my file!
Hi my name is Tara and I am 3 years old! My file indicates that I was born with cerebral palsy but I don’t let this stop me from being a happy kiddo! I receive rehabilitation services that have helped me a lot! I am described as being active, extroverted and smiley. I love to be held by my caretakers and I light up when people talk to me! I love listening to music and I always have a ready smile. My friends at Great Wall are working hard to learn more about me! Contact them if you’d like to learn more about me!
Hello there! My name is Freddie and I am 9 years old. I have a cleft lip and palate that has been repaired, and my ear developed a little differently than my friends! I also have congenital heart disease, but I seem to be doing really well! My caretakers say that I love music and love to dance! There’s even more information about me in my file, so please reach out to my friends at Great Wall if you’d like to learn more about me!
Visit the China Waiting Child Photo Listing to learn more about our New Kids on the Block!
Read MoreForever Family Friday!
Matched with “LID” Family!
Hooray! A family is working towards bringing this little guy home forever! We are so incredibly happy for him and his new family, and we can’t wait for him to come home!
This sweet kiddo was born with a cleft lip and palate, and has already had surgery to help repair his lip! His file was considered LID, meaning the family that was matched with him had to have their dossier logged in before they could see his file.
If you’re interested in being matched with a kiddo like him, contact our China Matching team to get your journey started today!
What Does “LID” Mean?
In our China adoption program, children’s files are labeled as either Special Focus or “LID” (Log in Date) depending on the severity of their needs. Children with more moderate to severe needs are considered Special Focus, and children with more minor or correctable needs are considered LID. While families can be matched with a Special Focus child form our Photo Listing at any point in their adoption process, they must submit their dossier prior to seeing files for LID children. If you’re interested in being matched with a child with minor needs, contact our adoption specialists to learn more!
- Learn more about the China LID track!
- Visit the Waiting Child Photo Listing to see Special Focus Children in need of Families!
6 More Kids Home From China!
What an exciting time this has been for our China Adoption program, six families are either traveling or have recently traveled to bring their kiddos home! While each family’s adoption journey is unique, they’re all leading up to the moment that you get to hold your child in your arms for the first time. We are so happy for all of these children and their new Forever Families! The wait is over, welcome home!
If you’re interested in learning how you can begin your China adoption journey, contact our Matching Specialists, or visit our China Waiting Child Photo Listing to see the Waiting Children that are in need of families!
- Visit our China Waiting Child Photo Listing
- Contact our China Matching Specialists
- More about China Adoption
9 New Kids on the Block
Hello there! My name is Davis, and I am 12 years old. My medical file says that I have hydrocephalus, but advocates in China say that it actually was a brain injury. I was discovered after surviving a flood when I was three years old, and advocates believe that my head injury was from the disaster. After the flood, my caregivers helped me to become independent and take care of myself! In February of 2015 I started having trouble walking, and my doctors learned that I had a benign brain tumor. My tumor was removed and I am feeling much better! I’m working really hard with my teachers in rehabilitation and seem to be doing really well. My caregivers all seem to adore me, and they describe me as courageous and happy. They also say that I have a very gentle spirit. My friends at Great Wall have a lot of information about me, so please reach out to them if you’d like more information!
Hi there! My name is Dallas and I am 2 and a half years old. I have nystagmas, which means my eyes sometimes have involuntary movements, and I have some general muscle weakness, but I don’t let that keep me from being a happy little boy! I am a shy, quiet little boy, who smiles a lot and likes being teased by my caretakers. I am receiving physical therapy so that I can become big and strong! I like listening to music and playing with toys. I get along with other children and I am close with my caretakers. Since my file is a little out of date my friends at Great Wall are working hard to learn more about me. You can contact my friends at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting me! I hope my friends at Great Wall find my Forever Family soon!
Hi there! My name is Isaac and I am 11 years old. One of my feet has a toe on it that looks a little different than some of my friends, but other than that I am a healthy boy! One of my friend’s at Great Wall visited me in China earlier this year and she would love to speak with prospective families about me! I am in 4th grade in a regular school and I am performing at an average level in school compared with my peers. I tend to be more introverted but I get very excited about playing sports! My favorite sport is soccer! I am living in an orphanage with one of my good friends Colt, who is also available for adoption through Great Wall. I am described as being a helpful little boy and my caretakers appreciate when I help them with chores around the orphanage. I have told my caregivers that I do want to be adopted by an American family. You can contact my friends at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting me! I hope my friends at Great Wall find my Forever Family soon!Click to view my new videos: Video #1! | Video #2! | Video #3!
Hi there! My name is Levi and I just turned 6 years old. I had anal atresia when I was little but some nice doctors did a surgery on me when I was younger and I feel much better now! I also only have one kidney, but I don’t let that keep me from being a happy little boy! One of my friend’s at GWCA visited me in China earlier this year and she would love to speak with prospective families about me! I am described as being an extrovert, though I do get a bit shy when I’m around strangers. I am in the kindergarten class at a regular school and I am learning to read and write. I am an active kiddo that like playing with balls and rolling toys. I’m also a pretty good singer! You can contact my friends at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting me! I hope my friends at Great Wall find my Forever Family soon!Click to view my new videos: Video #1! | Video #2! | Video #3!
Hi there! My name is Colt and I just turned 11 years old. I have something called Down’s Syndrome, but I don’t let that keep me from being a happy little boy! One of my friend’s at Great Wall visited me in China earlier this year and she would love to speak with prospective families about me! I go to a special school outside of my orphanage and I do well in school. I am good about following directions and I have excellent self care skills. I live in an orphanage with my best friend Isaac, who is also available for adoption through Great Wall, and we enjoy playing basketball together. I get along well with others, I am extroverted and I really like playing basketball! You can contact my friends at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting me! I hope my friends at Great Wall find my Forever Family soon!
Click to view my new videos: Video #1! | Video #2! | Video #3! | Video #4!
Hi my name is Abby and I am 3 years old! I was born with Down’s Syndrome and CHD. Some nice doctors performed surgery on my heart and I’m feeling much better now! I’ve had some difficulty with my breathing in the past but I’m doing better now since receiving medical attention. My file indicates that compared to other kiddos with Down’s Syndrome, I am doing very well! I am clever and I have a ton of interest in new toys and games. I love watching people dance and my caretakers say I have a strong desire to perform! I am outgoing, extroverted and love to play with others. This isn’t all the information about me so please contact my friends at Great Wall if you’d like to learn more!
Hi there! My name is Joshua and I am 9 years old. My doctor’s say that my reproductive organs are a little different than some of my friends, but other than that I seem to be a healthy little kid! One of my friend’s at GWCA visited me in China earlier this year and she would love to speak with prospective families about me! I am in 3rd grade in a regular school and I get average grades compared with my peers. I enjoy singing and dancing. I like to play basketball and games where my friends and I chase each other. I also love to draw! If you give me paper and pencils I can draw for hours! I often have a smile on my face and am generally a happy kiddo. You can contact my friends at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting me! I hope my friends at Great Wall find my Forever Family soon!
Hello there! My name is Russell, and I am 11 years old. My brain formed a little differently than some of my friends, but I seem to be doing really well! I am currently in school and am able to write my name and simple Chinese characters. I love to dance, and was even in a dance performance! My language development is a little delayed, but I have excellent pronunciation and can express myself easily. I love to help my caregivers by doing chores, and am very good at taking care of myself! Contact my friends at Great Wall if you’d like to learn more about me!
Hello! My name is Tyler, and I am 10 years old. My doctor’s say that I have hydrocephalus, but that doesn’t slow me down! My teachers say I am doing well in school, and that I love extracurricular activities! I love to help out my caregivers with chores and am always available to assist the younger kiddos. I can be shy when you first meet me, but I love to spend time with my caretakers, teachers, and friends! I love sports, and basketball is my favorite. There is even more information about me in my full file, so reach out to my friends at Great Wall China Adoption if you’d like to learn more! I hope to find my forever family soon!
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