5 New Kids on the Block
Meet Livie!
**I Found My Forever Family!**
Livie is a beautiful little girl from China that just turned 2 years old. Livie has postoperative anal atresia. She has had one surgery, but she will need another one in the future for her need because the first surgery didn’t fully fix her anal atresia. Her orphanage says they would like to wait for the second surgery to be performed in the United States after she is adopted because they believe Livie would get a much better surgery in the U.S. Livie’s cognitive ability is normal and is the same as her peers in the orphanage. Livie is able to follow directions well and she knows the names of all of her nannies and her friends. Livie can also communicate well with others by using simple words such as “mama,” “baba,” and “bye bye,” etc. Livie can walk by herself and her fine motor skills are also normal. Livie likes to blow kisses to people as they leave the room. Livie gets along well with other children and she likes playing with them and is good about sharing her toys with other children. Livie is described by her caretakers as being smart, active, cute and positive.
Livie is on our Great Wall China Specific listing, so her file is only available through Great Wall at this time. You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Livie. We hope we are able to find Livie her Forever Family soon!
Meet Emily!
Emily is a beautiful and strong little girl who is 6 years old. She is deaf and was born with retinoblastoma in both eyes. As a result she has had both eyes removed. Despite Emily’s diagnoses, she proves everyday how bright she is! Her file indicates that she is always surprising her teacher with her fine motor skills and ability to learn new tasks. She lives in a foster family and has thrived there. Emily does a great job at using her other senses to explore her environment. Through touch and smell, she is able to interact with new people and engage in new tasks. Her caretakers note that her sense of touch is very sharp and she is able to depend on this to be mobile independently. Emily is described as being optimistic and cheerful! She is kind to others and is always helpful in any way that she can be. Contact one of our matching specialists if you’d like to review her file!
Meet Maxie!
Maxie is a lovely little girl from China that is about to turn 5 years old. Maxie has postoperative anal atresia and her feet and skull are a little different than some of her friends, but she seems to be doing quite well developmentally. Maxie is described as being active, outgoing and positive. Maxie gets along well with others and likes to play with them. She likes to be cuddled by her caregivers. She likes to play with blocks and musical instruments. Maxie can say 5-10 word sentences, asks “what” and “how” questions on her own initiate, and she understands the difference between different colors. If you ask Maxie where she lives or what season is it, she can tell you that. She understands what other are saying and follows instructions well. Maxie helps take care of the younger children in the orphanage. She likes to give hugs and blow kisses when people leave the room. She can count to 10, sings songs and tells stories. She likes to draw, listen to music and play with her friends.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Maxie. We hope we are able to find Maxie her Forever Family soon!
Meet Gus!
Gus is a precious little boy from China that just turned 6 years old. Gus has a hearing impairment, but he can hear. He is also delayed developmentally in some areas especially in regards to his speech, which makes sense since he can’t hear as well due to his hearing impairment. Gus was not abandoned until he was 4 and a half years old, so he spent most of his young life with a family before coming to the orphanage.
Gus likes to play with his friends and he especially enjoys playing with blocks and looking at picture books. He has been self-care skills such as taking his clothes off, eating with a spoon, and pushing the chairs in after class. He is more introverted but he does enjoy participating in group activities with other children. He is generally healthy and happy.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Gus. We hope we are able to find Gus his Forever Family soon!
Meet Kiara!
She is a 2 year old girl who was born with Down’s Syndrome and a heart defect. Kiara is described as being cute and quiet! She can smile and giggle when she is teased, she recognizes familiar people and their voices and she can respond to others when her name is called. Kiara likes to listen to music, she is closest to her caretakers and often likes to play outdoors. Contact one of our matching specialists if you’d like to review her file!
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China Eligibility
Families that adopt from our China program must meet certain requirements per the country in order to adopt from China. In the past we have seen China have some flexibility based on a child’s needs and have looked case by case to make some exceptions. Recently we have seen a decrease in those exceptions.
We understand that there have been some changes in governing bodies in China that have attributed to this. Oversight outside of the CCCWA has changed and we expect the CCCWA to be following in accordance to their eligibility rules for now.
We encourage families with eligibility concerns to continue inquiring. GWCA will review concerns on a case by case basis as our ultimate goal is to find the best fit for both the child and the family.
Resources:
- Contact GWCA’s matching specialists
- Learn more about China’s eligibility requirements
- Visit the Waiting Child photo listing
Forever Family Friday!
We are THRILLED to announce that a family has begun submitting their paperwork to bring this little guy home forever! Congratulations to him and his new family from all of us at GWCA and CAN – we can’t wait to see you come home!
China Waiting Child Adoption
Our China adoption program allows families to be matched with Special Focus children at any point in the process, making the adoption journey as a whole relatively quick! We receive new children’s files each week, both from our orphanage partnerships and from the Shared List, which provides our families with the opportunity to review multiple files until they find a child that they feel would be a good fit. Contact our China matching specialists or visit our photo listing to learn more about the kids that we’re currently advocating for!
– Visit the China Waiting Child Photo Listing
– Contact our China Matching Specialists
– Learn more about the China adoption process
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4 New Kids Recently Added
Hugo is a sweet little boy from China that recently turned 5 years old. Hugo has some muscle tension so it has taken him a while to learn how to walk, but he is now walking with the help of a walker. He works very hard when in rehabilitation training and he is getting stronger all the time. Hugo also has exotropia, which means his eyes are a little cross-eyed. He has some language delays as well and can only make sounds such as “yi” “ya” “ah” and “oh.”
Hugo is introverted and quiet and likes very much to be cuddled by his nanny. He is very attached to his nanny and he loves it when she sings him songs. Hugo will hum along to songs others sing. He likes to play with toys and watch the other children play around him. He is a very determined little boy and he will work patiently and vigorously to improve his physical development when in rehabilitation training.
McKray is a precious little boy from China that just recently turned 1 year old. McKray had hydrocephalus as a baby but he received surgery to have a shunt put in when he was 6 months old. He also has cerebral dysplasia which causes McKray to have some developmental delays. At this time McKray can roll by himself over but cannot sit up or crawl. McKray cannot currently hold toys in his hands. He cannot currently speak and he does not react when someone calls his name. McKray is a quiet little boy who likes to smile and laugh.
Rose is a sweet little girl from China that is 5 and a half years old. She was abandoned when she was 2 years old and taken to the orphanage at that time. Her birth date was estimated based on when she was found, so it is possible that she might be a bit younger than 5 and a half years old, but there is no way to know for sure. Rose’s left eye is somewhat malformed, and she appears to have only light sensation in her right eye, so even though her vision is poorer than other children, she can see some shapes and objects. She is delayed because of her vision issues, such as speech and some self-care skills. Although she is not completely blind, she has similar delays to a child that is fully blind, which is why she needs to be adopted soon to get the proper care and attention she needs to thrive.
Rose is able to walk on her own and get around by herself and she has good balance. She does need the help of her caretakers to go up and down stairs. She needs help to dress, undress and go to the bathroom. She isn’t very talkative but she does understand what other people are saying and she follows the instructions given to her by her caretakers. She loves being cuddled by her caretakers and she will let you hold her for as long as you want. She likes to play with toys that have sounds or have unique textures.
This is Neil! Neil is a 9 year old boy with Hemophilia. He is described as being very clever and he picks up quickly on new things. He is very independent and is often found helping other children. Neil is extroverted, friendly and polite! He loves to sing and play outside with his peers because he excels in sports! Due to his hemophilia, Neil goes to school inside the institute. He has great cognitive abilities and is great at completing his math problems. Neil’s file indicates that he is very eager and happy at the thought of being adopted by an American family. We hope Neil can find his forever family very soon! Contact one of our matching specialists today if you’d like to review his file!
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Jonathan Has a $2,000 Grant
Introducing our Sponsored Star for January, Jonathan!
This amazing kiddo’s name is Jonathan, and he is 13 years old! Jonathan is completely deaf in both ears, but his cognitive and mobility development are on-target. He can communicate well using writing and hand gestures and is able to write about 40 simple English words. He is very helpful to his teachers and does well very well in school! He also love sports, and is great at jump rope, ping-pong, and badminton! We are so hopeful that Jonathan will find his Forever Family soon, as he will be aging out on his 14th birthday. If you or someone you know is interested in reviewing Jonathan’s file, please reach out to GWCA’s matching specialists to learn more!
As our Sponsored Star for January, Jonathan has a $2,000 grant available towards his adoption fees! If you’re interested in learning more about Jonathan, visit our photo listing or contact our matching specialists today!
What is a Sponsored Star?
On the 1st of each month, Great Wall China Adoption will feature one of the kiddos from our Orphanage Partnerships as our monthly “Sponsored Star!” As our Sponsored Star, that child will be provided a $2,000 grant towards their adoption fees! Each of the kiddos selected will be a Special Focus child, meaning they have not found their Forever Family yet due to their age or the degree of their needs. Together, we can find loving homes for these amazing kids!
We encourage any families interested in learning more about our Sponsored Star of the Month to visit our China Waiting Child Photo Listing, or contact our China Matching Specialists to learn how you can be matched today! Check back on the first of each month to meet the newest featured child!
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I Found My Family
Hooray! This beautiful girl has been matched with a family that is working hard to bring her home Forever. Congratulations to her and her new Forever Family from all of us at GWCA!
As her file is considered LID, the family that is matched with her had to have their dossier logged in before they could learn more about her! Our LID track provides families with the opportunity to be matched with younger kiddos with more minor or correctable needs. Learn more about the difference between LID and Special Focus below! If you’re interested in learning how you can join our LID track and start your journey towards being matched, contact our matching specialists today!
LID vs. Special Focus
LID
Non-Special Focus kids are often referred to as LID, meaning “Log In Date.” While families can be matched with a Special Focus child at any point in the process, they must log their dossier in prior to reviewing files for LID children. These kids are typically age 1-4, and have more minor or correctable needs. For families that are open to a Waiting Child with minor or correctable needs, the LID track is a great alternative to other international adoption programs where the referral time for a healthy child can be several years.
Contact our Matching Specialists to learn how you can get started on the LID track today!
Special Focus
Most of the children in China’s Waiting Child program, are classified as Special Focus. This means that they are considered more difficult to place either because of their age range, or needs. While the idea of special needs can be a bit overwhelming to families, it is important to realize that many needs fall on a spectrum. This means that two children whose files indicate the same need can be affected in completely different ways. One example of this is cerebral palsy. While some of the children that we have seen with cerebral palsy are wheelchair bound, others are able to run, jump, and climb just like any other kid. As such, it is very important for families to thoroughly research a variety of special needs before ruling anything out!
- Visit our China Waiting Child photo listing
- Learn more about the difference between LID and Special Focus
- Contact our China Matching Specialists
New Kids on the Block
Meet Callie! She is an adorable 8 year old girl. Callie was born with something called blepharoptosis. This condition affects how far the eyelids extend. It doesn’t seem to have an effect on her vision but GWCA is in the process of asking for an update on her condition to clarify. Callie is described as being talkative, energetic and quick in reaction. She is fond of playing with toys and playing games with her peers. Callie is inquisitive and frequently asks how and why questions. She seems to be slightly delayed compared to her peers but she doesn’t seem to have a language delay. If you’re interested in reviewing Callie’s file, contact GWCA today!
Meet Charlotte! Charlotte is an adorable kiddo who will be turning three this January! She has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus and some physical and cognitive delays. Based on her file, which was prepared in April of 2015, it sounds as though she has stiff lower limbs and has some delayed mobility. She also was not responsive to being called by her caregivers at the time the file was prepared. Our staff is working hard to get more updated information from Charlotte’s orphanage regarding her need and delays! Her caregivers described her as being a smiley, happy kiddo who loves to laugh and be cuddled. If you’d like to learn more about Charlotte, please reach out to Great Wall!
Clark is a sweet boy from China that recently turned 11 years old. Clark was born deaf but he has since received a Cochlear Implant and so he has some hearing ability now. Since he received his Cochlear Implant 4 years ago, has attended a special boarding school to help him learn language and speech. Clark has great self-care skills and he is a very easy person to live with. He has an easy-going personality and gets along well with others. He likes to draw and make models with his hands. Clark is good at math and he likes to play basketball with other children at school.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Clark. We hope we are able to find Clark his Forever Family soon!
Meet Sylvie! She is an adorable little girl who is 4 years old. Slyvie was born with cerebral palsy. She has a little more difficulty using her gross motor skills than she does using her fine motor skills. She can stand and walk with some support but she can grasp small objects with her thumb and index finger deftly. Sylvie is described as being curious about her surroundings and interested in what others are saying. She has high muscular tension which we believe she is receiving therapy for. Great Wall is in the process of requesting an update on Sylvie but contact one of our matching specialists today if you’d like to review her medical file!
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I Found My Family!
We are so delighted to announce that one of the families in our China adoption program has begun submitting their paperwork to bring this beautiful girl home FOREVER! We are so excited for her and her new family, and we can’t wait to see them come home!
Despite the fact that this little lady will just be turning one year old this January, her file was considered Special Focus, meaning her family was able to review her information prior to logging their dossier in. All of the kiddos that are on our photo listing are in need of loving Forever Families, and you can be matched with them right away! If your family is interested in learning more about any of the Waiting Children in our China adoption program, contact one of our China matching specialists or visit our photo listing today!
- Visit the Waiting Child Photo Listing to learn about kids in need of Forever Families!
- Contact our China Matching Specialists to learn how you can start your adoption journey!
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Forever Home for the Holidays
One year ago this beautiful girl was listed on our Orphan Hosting photo listing with the nickname “Miss Happy.” When our interview team met her in China, they were captivated by her incredible smile and her playful spirit. She was excited to play dress up and show everyone her drawings, but behind her smile was a girl who was holding on to hope. She was hopeful that meeting with these strange people and answering their questions might lead to something new – something outside of the orphanage.
Last winter, Miss Happy was matched with an amazing host family and she had the opportunity to come to the United States to live with them for one month over the holidays. She had the chance to see life outside of the orphanage and she had the opportunity to experience the love of a family.
Now, less than one year later, Miss Happy’s host family is in China preparing to bring her back to the United States and welcome her home forever. Although we’ve simply been following their journey through photos, it’s clear that Miss Happy has already gone through a huge transformation. While her smile is still as big as ever, it has changed in so many ways. It’s the smile of a beautiful girl who finally has the opportunity to be carefree. After years of worrying and waiting for a family to come get her, she finally gets to relax and be a kid, because she’s not “Miss Happy” anymore – she’s Celia Ginger Stark. She is a daughter and a sister, but most importantly she is loved.
Celia will never have to spend another holiday season longing to be part of a family, and she will never spend another birthday worrying that she’s one year closer to “aging out.” The days ahead of her hold so much love and so many firsts, and we can’t wait to continue following the amazing journey that began with Orphan Hosting.
There are so many children in China that spend their lives waiting. They are overlooked not because of choices they’ve made or because of things they’ve done, but because of their age or their special needs. These kids are INCREDIBLE, and our Orphan Hosting program gives families the opportunity to get to know them, not as they’re described in their medical file, but for who they really are.
We are currently matching children for our upcoming winter Orphan Hosting program, and we’re so hopeful that these kids will have the same experience that Celia did. If they are hosted this winter, they may never have to spend another holiday season in an orphanage. Our host families play a huge role in helping these kids find families, whether they themselves adopt their host kid, or whether they advocate on their behalf. There are only a few days left to be matched with one of these amazing kiddos, so if your family or someone you know is interested in learning how you can become a host family, contact our hosting coordinator at shannon@gwca.org today! Together, we can end their wait.
Congratulations Celia, and safe travels home!
Resources:
- Visit the Orphan Hosting photo listing
- Contact a hosting coordinator
- Learn more about our Orphan Hosting program
9 New Kids Recently Added
Meet Pierce! Pierce is a sweet kiddo who is about to turn 3 years old this month! He was born with a hernia and mild cerebral palsy. He lives in a foster family and has done so well there. Pierce was 2 years old when his file was prepared. His caretakers indicated that at that time, he could follow instructions to wave goodbye, and answer how old he was! He has strong imitating ability and always likes to dance when his foster mom dances. He can imitate words, speak in 3-5 word sentences and respond to other’s asking for his objects. Pierce can point to different body parts and use his words to express his needs! He is currently receiving rehabilitation therapies and is improving. While he still needs the assistance of a walking aid to be mobile, he is making progress. If you’d like to review Pierce’s medical file, contact one of our matching specialists today!
This darling kiddo’s name is Kenzie! She is a sweet girl who is about a year and a half old. She was born with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect. She is described by her caregivers as a sweet, adorable little girl who’s smile is beautiful and heartwarming. She is babbling to communicate her needs and is now able to stand with support. She also is able to hold on to a milk bottle and drink milk without assistance! She is a precious kiddo who would thrive with the love of a forever family. Please contact Great Wall if you would like to learn more!T
his kiddo’s name is Teddy! Teddy will be turning four this January. He has some general mobility delays, but he seems to be doing well! He is able to walk in a walker and is now able to take several steps without assistance. He can understand his caregiver’s basic requests and is able to follow instructions. He may have language delays as well, but we are currently working to find out more information from his orphanage. Teddy is a sweet, smiley kiddo who loves to listen to music and spend time with his friends and caretakers. If you’d like to learn more about Teddy, please reach out to Great Wall!
**AGING OUT – FEB. 2, 2017** Rachel is a sweet girl from China who is 13 years old. Rachel will age out of the China Adoption system on Feb. 2, 2017, so she needs a family to adopt her that will be traveling soon to China for another adoption.
Rachel has some sight issues and she is delayed cognitively compared to her peers. She has lived in a Foster Family since she was 4 years old. Rachel is in 6th grade at a school for children with visual impairments. She lives at the school during the weekdays and then goes to live with her foster family on weekends. Rachel has an outgoing personality, she is talkative, active, quick thinking, thoughtful, a good observer and helpful with younger children.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Rachel. We hope we are able to find Rachel her Forever Family soon!
Jonah is a precious little boy from China that is 2 years old. Jonah was born with CHD but he received surgery on it and appears to be doing well now. At the time Jonah’s file was prepared when he was 17 months old he was babbling and saying simple words like “ma ma” and imitating the words that adults would say. Jonah could crawl on his hands and knees, standing for a while, and he could grasp toys and pass them from one hand to the other. He is described as being a smiley boy that gets along well with others. His favorite toy is a rattle. He loves being held by his caretakers.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Jonah. We hope we are able to find Jonah his Forever Family soon!
Meet Julia! Julia is an adorable kiddo who is almost 6 years old! She had surgery to repair a heart defect when she was much younger and recovered very well. She is described as being cute, ready to smile, polite and positive! She is always helpful and full of enthusiasm. If other kiddos need assistance, she is always the first to let her caretaker know. Julia is active and loves playing games with other children. She can express her needs normally and always pays close attention in school! She can get dressed on her own and can manage daily tasks! Julia is described as clean and tidy by her caretakers who note she loves folding her clothes before bed. Contact one of our matching specialists today if you’d like to learn more about Julia!
Meet Elsie! Elsie is a precious 5-year old kiddo with Down Syndrome. She also has a congenital heart condition and possible vision impairment. Elsie is a shy, sweet kiddo who loves to read picture books and play games! She is able to communicate her needs by babbling and does an excellent job at following the directions of her caregivers. If you’d like to learn more about her, please reach out to Great Wall!
Check out her NEW video!
Meet Robbie! Robbie is an adorable kiddo who is 11 years old. He was born with hydrocephalus that he has received surgery for and a growth hormone deficiency that makes him a little smaller than his peers. He has normal cognitive development and is currently in school! He loves singing, dancing, playing the piano and is said to have a rich imagination. He is fairly introverted and is described as having so many hobbies! He loves reading and playing football outside and he gets along very well with other children! Contact one of our matching specialists today if you’d like to review his medical file!
Meet Colby! He is a sweetheart who is 4 years old. Colby was born with Congenital Heart Disease. His file indicates that he has received a surgery for this but GWCA is currently requesting some additional information. He is described as having a very outgoing personality! His language development does not seem delayed compared to his peers based on his file. Colby loves playing with blocks and toys with other kiddos. He can successfully complete some self-care tasks such as getting undressed on his own and eating without assistance. Colby is very fond of listening to music and always has a ready smile. Contact a matching specialist today if you’d like to learn more about Colby!
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