5 New Kids on the Block
This week our China matching specialists have added FIVE new kids to our Waiting Child photo listing, three of which are from orphanages that GWCA is partnered with! Turner, Zoe, Fiona, Blake and Tanner are all in need of loving families, and we are so hopeful that they will be matched soon. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about them or viewing their profiles, contact our China matching specialists or visit our Waiting Child photo listing today!
Turner is a precious kiddo who just turned 3 years old! He was born with left side schizencephaly but it doesn’t seem to have a big impact on his development thus far. He has great physical development and is described as being bold, extroverted and energetic! Turner’s self-care skills are similar to those of his peers. He can feed himself, take on and off his clothing and can wash his hands and face on his own! Turner can follow simple instructions and understand what is being asked of him. He has been receiving some rehabilitation services since he was about a year old. Turner’s caretakers say that he’s a very brave boy who loves to be adventurous!
Contact one of our matching specialists today if you are interested in learning more about Turner!
Zoe is a cutie who just turned 3 years old! She was born with Down’s Syndrome and Esotropia. Zoe is delayed on her language abilities but we believe that with the proper attention and therapies, she can catch up to her peers! She doesn’t have any mobility delays and is a very active child. She does a great job at completing self-care tasks such as getting dressed on her own and eating by herself. Zoe can understand and follow simple directions and she gets along with other kiddos. She has a ready smile and is described as being a little trickster! She loves to jump and play and she especially loves to dance with her caretaker.Contact one of our matching specialists today if you’d like to learn more about Zoe!
Fiona is a precious little one who is about to turn 3 years old! She was born with Down’s Syndrome and a heart defect known as a PFO. When she was 1 years old, she would sit up on her own, crawl and babble. At the age of 18 months she could stand up with a little support and was babbling and saying simple words. Fiona has been receiving rehabilitation services and she seems to be doing great! She is walking for longer distances while holding onto some support. Fiona is described as being compliant, cute and affectionate. Although her speech is slightly delayed, communication does not seem to be an obstacle for her.Contact one of our matching specialists today if you’d like to learn more about Fiona!
Meet Blake! He is a healthy 12-year old boy who is doing great in school and in the institute. He is currently in sixth grade in school and is doing very well. He gets along great with his classmates and also helps his caregivers with the younger kiddos in his orphanage. He loves to perform, and he participated in a performance at his school that his teachers and students loved. He also loves to draw and play basketball. His caregivers describe him as being very brave, but that he sometimes lacks the confidence to try new things. He would thrive with the love and consistent care of a family.Please reach out to Great Wall if you would like to learn more!
Tanner is a smiley kiddo who is 4 years old! He was born with Hypospadias which he has received surgery for. Tanner seems to be on target developmentally for his age! He can follow instructions, communicate his needs and cooperate well in school! His caretakers describe Tanner as an active child who is quick in reaction. He always has a ready smile and is always eager to learn new things. GWCA is currently trying to get some more updated information on Tanner!Contact one of our matching specialists if you’d like to learn more about Tanner!
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TWO New Partnerships in Ji Lin Province!
We are delighted to announce that we have recently gained TWO new orphanage partnerships in Ji Lin province! We are so grateful to the CCCWA, Ji Lin Civil Affairs, and our new orphanage partnerships for giving us the opportunity to help find loving homes for their children!
Our in-country China adoption specialists had a chance to visit both of our new orphanage partnerships, where they were able to meet with the children whose files are currently being prepared. Our matching team is so excited to receive these files so that they can start advocating for each of the kiddos in the orphanage to find their Forever Family!
If your family is interested in learning more about the kiddos from our Orphanage Partnerships, contact our matching specialists today!
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 orphanage partnerships, contact our China Matching Specialists, or visit our China Waiting Child Photo Listing today!
– Click here to visit our Waiting Child photo listing –
Read MoreForever Family Friday!
Hooray, we are so incredibly excited to announce that a family has started submitting their paperwork to bring this beautiful girl home FOREVER!
She came to America with our Orphan Hosting program earlier this summer, and her host family had an amazing time with her. These experiences played a huge role in her advocacy, as both her host family and our China matching specialists were able to provide families with first hand information about her personality and development!
While there are still several steps in the journey ahead, we are so glad that this time when she lands in America, she will be doing it with her loving family by her side. Congratulations from all of us at Great Wall China Adoption, we can’t wait to see you come home!
Learn how you can host this winter!
We are currently matching families for our winter Orphan Hosting program. If you’re interested in learning how you can welcome an orphan into your home for the holidays, visit our Orphan Hosting photo listing today, or contact our hosting coordinators at shannon@gwca.org! Will you give the gift of family?
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New Waiting Child Updates!
Our China matching specialists have recently received several updates for Waiting Children that we’re currently advocating for. These updates help provide families with information on the children’s development, needs and personalities, which can play a crucial role in helping families decide whether or not they’re ready to move forward with adoption.
If you’re interested in learning how you can be matched with one of these kiddos, contact our China matching specialists or visit our China Waiting Child photo listing to see all of our other Waiting Children!
Click here to visit the China Waiting Child photo listing!
Matthew is an adorable 4-year old boy looking for a forever family! He was born with anal atresia, but since having surgery he seems to be doing very well. He is currently living with a foster family and appears to be doing great developmentally. He loves to run, draw and count. Matthew is said to be sociable, considerate and well behaved. When his foster mother asks him to do something, he eagerly accepts. Matthew loves being active and assisting his caretakers. His foster mom says he gets along very well with his foster brother and is great at sharing his toys and snacks. He has quite the sense of humor and is always laughing! His caretakers describe him as being very optimistic and active. Please reach out to Great Wall if you’d like to learn more!Bronx is a sweet little boy from China that is about to turn 4 years old. Bronx seems to be healthy physically and is just developmentally delayed. He had an IQ test when he was younger that ranked him lower on IQ, but we have found from experience that many of those tests are inaccurate because they do not take into account that a child is going to have institutional delays from growing up in an orphanage. So whenever there is an IQ test in a child’s file, we suggest taking it with a grain of salt. However the testers did say that he might have autism, but again that is something that may or may not be completely accurate based on the testing.Based on what is in this child’s file, he seems to have the same basic delays as other children his age who have grown up in an orphanage. He is a bit more delayed in his social skills, including how to play with others, but again that is to be expected with a child growing up in an orphanage. Many children lack the skills to play well with other children because no one has taught them how to share or how to play constructively with other children. Often times children in orphanages have very few toys, so sharing can be hard for children in orphanages and so they can tend to play by themselves so no one takes their toys.
Bronx likes to play outdoors and is quite active. He likes to look at books and newspapers and pretends to be reading them. He speaks several words and short phrases. His caretakers say that he will say “Good Morning, teacher” when they come into a room. Bronx likes to listen to music and claps his hands when listening to children’s songs. Bronx goes to school in the orphanage and his teacher’s say that he is making progress in learning every day and that he is a happy boy.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Bronx. We hope we are able to find Bronx his Forever Family soon!
Click Here to Watch My Video!
Click Here to Watch My Video!Eddie is an adorable kiddo who just turned 4 years old! His medical file indicates that he has an extra digit on both of his feet. GWCA is currently trying to determine whether or not he has additional needs. Eddie can walk on his own and he doesn’t have any mobility delays. He can follow simple instructions and express himself clearly. He is cooperative with his caretakers and responds to other’s instructions well. Eddie is described as being an energetic kiddo who is always smiley! Contact GWCA if you’d like to review his file!
Click Here to Watch My Videos!Maeve is a cutie who just turned 3 years old! Her file was prepared about a year ago and it indicates she was born with a meningocele and hydrocephalus. GWCA has received an update on her file and her caregivers indicated that she has had surgery for both her meningocele and hydrocephalus! She needs assistance with her mobility but her cognitive skills are on target for children her age. Maeve can speak clearly and express her needs! She can imitate what adults are saying and can understand what is being said to her. She loves reading books and turning the pages to show her caretakers all of the pictures! Maeve can crawl and walk with her hands holding onto handrails. She is described as being a talkative and active kiddo! If you’d like more information on Maeve, please contact one of our matching specialists!
This adorable kiddo’s name is Max! He will be turning 2 years old this November. He has been diagnosed with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. He also has a hemangioma on his upper lip. He is a sweet kiddo who is extremely affectionate towards his caregivers! He seems to be doing well with his mobility development and is able to lift himself up, stand without assistance, and grasp small toys. He loves to listen to dance along to music and loves to play games with his caregivers. If you’d like to learn more about Max, please reach out to Great Wall!Click Here to Watch My Video!Milo is an great kiddo who is 5 and a half years old! He is considered to have some hearing loss, but he can hear enough to where if you call his name he will turn toward you. Milo is described as being very active and playful! He loves to play hide-and-seek with his caretaker and playing on the swings. His file indicates that he has normal physical development and his language delays are largely due to his hearing loss. Milo seems to be a pretty happy kiddo who is developing well!
You can contact the China Home Finding Team to learn more about Milo!
Click Here to Watch Milo’s NEW Video #1!
Click Here to Watch Milo’s NEW Video #2!
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I Found My Family!
You may recognize this kiddo, as we’ve shared his pictures before. He participated in our Orphan Hosting program last year, and went by the nickname “The Man of Steel” because he was wearing a Superman shirt when our hosting interview team first met him. We are THRILLED to be sharing his photo again, as this superhero has a family that is working towards bringing him home forever!
It is so amazing to see another Orphan Hosting story turn into an adoption journey! Congratulations to our Man of Steel and his new Forever Family, we can’t wait to see you come home!
We are currently matching families for our winter Orphan Hosting program. Visit our Orphan hosting photo listing or contact our hosting coordinators at shannon@gwca.org to learn how you can give the gift of family this holiday season.
– Click here to visit our Orphan Hosting photo listing! –
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6 New Kids on the Block
This week we have 6 New Kids on the Block! Elle, Parker, Kelsey, Benji, Jillian and Colton are all hoping to find their Forever Families. If you’re interested in learning how you can be matched with one of these amazing kiddos, contact our China matching specialists or visit our Waiting Child photo listing today!
– Click here to visit our China Waiting Child Photo Listing! –
Elle is a beautiful little girl from China that just recently turned 5 years old. Elle has a minor heart condition where the heart points to the right side instead of the left side, and this issue doesn’t seem to affect Elle in her daily life. Elle also has one ear where the outer part is slightly malformed, but her hearing is normal. Otherwise Elle appears to be doing well physically and cognitively. One of our GWCA staff members met Elle when she visited China earlier this year and she would be happy to speak with any interested family about Elle.
Elle is in a regular school outside of the orphanage where she is currently in kindergarten. Elle is described as being a polite child who gets along well with others. Elle’s growth development is the same as other children of her same age. Elle is a more of a shy, introverted child, but she always likes to play with others, especially playing with dolls. She likes to give performances and show off her dancing skills. Elle’s mental development is described as being normal.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Elle. We hope we are able to find Elle her Forever Family soon!
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Parker is a sweet little baby boy that just turned 1 year old. Parker has Down’s Syndrome so he is a little delayed compared to his peers, but he is a happy boy that is progressing well for a child with Down’s Syndrome. One of our GWCA staff members met Parker when she visited China earlier this year and she would be happy to speak with any interested family about Parker.
Parker can push himself up when laying on his tummy and can lift his head up, and he can also turn over by himself. Parker can grasp toys in his hands and can exchange them from one hand to the other. He can also track when a toy is moving and he will look for missing toys when he drops them. Parker is babbling and he enjoys imitating the sounds adults make. If he hears a voice or a sound he will look to see where it is coming from and will track it. Parker enjoys listening to music and he will often become happy and calm quiet if he hears it. Parker can feed himself snacks like biscuits.
You can contact the China Home Finding Team at Great Wall if you would like to learn more about adopting Parker. We hope we are able to find Parker his Forever Family soon!
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This cutie is named Kelsey and she is 3 years old! She was born with a cleft lip and palate, Hep B and a heart condition known as a PFO. Based on the information in her file that was prepared in 2014, Kelsey was receiving rehabilitation services to improve her motor skills and her caretakers believed she would make progress. At the age of 1 years old she was able to turn over on her own, sit up by leaning onto support, grasp toys and respond to her name being called. She liked to be held by her caretakers and is described as an adorable and smiley little girl. GWCA is currently trying to get some updated information on Kelsey’s condition. Contact one of our matching specialists today if you’d like to review her file!
This darling kiddo’s name is Benji! He just turned six years old last May. He has Down Syndrome, but overall he seems to be doing great! He loves to play with the other children, is great at counting numbers with his teachers, and loves to dance to music. He has excellent language development and likes to point out his favorite animals. He goes to school and seems to be doing great. He’s very empathetic towards the other children, especially when they are sad or upset. He’s a darling kiddo who will thrive with a forever family! Please reach out to Great Wall if you’d like to learn more.Jillian is a smiley girl who just turned 9 years old! One of our GWCA staff members met Parker when she visited China earlier this year and she would be happy to speak with any interested family about Parker. She is currently in regular school where she is learning to read and do math problems! She is doing well cognitively when compared to her peers with Down’s Syndrome. Jillian loves dancing and singing! She is described as being a little more introverted but she enjoys being around other kiddos her age! Jillian’s personality shines through in all of the videos below! Contact one of our matching specialists if you would like to review her file! This little cutie’s name is Colton! Colton is 4 years old, and he was born with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect. He has had surgery on his heart and his orphanage states that he does not need any additional surgeries moving forward. His language development is delayed, but he does appear to be understanding words that are spoken to him. He can respond to his name, loves to laugh when being teased, and can distinguish between familiar caregivers and strangers. He loves to hug his caregivers and the other kiddos and is described as being very affectionate. He also loves new toys! Colton is currently in a special kindergarten at the orphanage and seems to be doing great. If you’d like to learn more about him, please reach out to Great Wall!Resources
Learn more about China adoption
Visit the Waiting Child photo listing
Contact an international adoption specialist
14 Kids Home
What an incredible Forever Family Friday it is, as 14 kids have recently come home from China to join their families!
It is so amazing to think that just last winter several of these kiddos were here in America for our China hosting program. While the wait time for many international adoption programs continues to grow, China’s Waiting Child adoption program makes it possible for families to welcome a new member in less than one year. Thanks to this quick process and the hard work of each one of these families, these kiddos will be spending their holiday season in the arms of their families once more. Congratulations to each and every one of these families from all of us at GWCA!
If your family is interested in being matched with a child through our China Waiting Child adoption program, visit our Waiting Child photo listing or contact our China matching specialists.
- Learn more about the China Waiting Child adoption program
- Visit the Waiting Child Photo Listing
- Contact a China matching specialist
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Waiting For Families!
We’ve added 6 more kids to our China Waiting Child photo listing this week! If your family is interested in being matched, contact our matching specialists or visit our photo listing using the link below!
– Click here to visit the photo listing! –
Maeve is a cutie who just turned 3 years old! Her file was prepared about a year ago and it indicates she was born with a meningocele and hydrocephalus. She has received surgery for the meningocele but it is unclear whether she has had surgery for her hydrocephalus. Maeve has improved in her language skills and can speak in simple phrases! She can imitate what adults are saying and can understand what is being said to her. She loves reading books and turning the pages to show her caretakers all of the pictures! Maeve can crawl and walk with her hands holding onto handrails. She is described as being a talkative and active kiddo! If you’d like more information on Maeve, please contact one of our matching specialists!
This adorable kiddo’s name is Max! He will be turning 2 years old this November. He has been diagnosed with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. He also has a hemangioma on his upper lip. He is a sweet kiddo who is extremely affectionate towards his caregivers! He seems to be doing well with his mobility development and is able to lift himself up, stand without assistance, and grasp small toys. He loves to listen to dance along to music and loves to play games with his caregivers. If you’d like to learn more about Max, please reach out to Great Wall!Matthew is an adorable 4-year old boy looking for a forever family! He was born with anal atresia, but since having surgery he seems to be doing verywell. He is currently living with a foster family and appears to be doing great developmentally. He loves to run, draw and count. His caretakers describe him as being very optimistic and active. Please reach out to Great Wall if you’d like to learn more!This darling kiddo’s name is Sophie! She just turned 2 this past June. She was born with hydrocephalus. Her fine and gross motor skills are somewhat delayed compared to her peers, but she is able to prop her head up and play with toys. She loves to laugh and understands facial expressions of adults. She also turns her head towards her caregivers when they call her name. Sophie loves to smile and is very attached to her caregivers. If you’d like to learn more, please reach out to Great Wall!Carter is a precious little boy from China that just turned 4 years old. Carter had clubbed feet when he was a baby, but he received surgery on them and they have been mostly corrected. He still has some issues with his limbs, but it isn’t totally clear in his file what those issues are, so we’re trying to get some updated information from the orphanage on that. Carter is said to have normal mental development and is at the same level developmentally as other children his age. Carter goes to early education classes each day and is learning well alongside his peers. Carter is outgoing and likes to talk and sing songs. Carter can communicate well with adults and can speak 3-5 word sentences. He imitates what the adults around him are doing and saying, and he also asks “what” and “why” questions. Read More
I Found My Family!
We are so incredibly happy to announce that a family in our China Waiting Child adoption program has been matched with this adorable girl through the LID track. Congratulations from all of us at GWCA and CAN!
Due to her young age and the fact that her needs are relatively minor/correctable, her file was considered LID. As such, the family that has been matched with her had to have their dossier logged in before they could view her file. If your family is interested in learning how you can begin your journey towards being matched through our LID track, contact our China matching specialists today!
What does LID mean?
In China’s Waiting Child adoption program, children’s files are either considered Special Focus or LID (sometimes referred to as Non-Special Focus) based on a couple of factors including their age and the severity of their needs. Children who are considered more difficult to place based on the fact that they’re older or have more moderate to severe needs are typically “Special Focus,” while younger children with more minor or correctable needs are generally “LID.”
Although the process of adopting an LID child is very similar to that of adopting a Special Focus child, there are a few differences. While families adopting a Special Focus child can be matched with a child on our China photo listing at any point in the process, families in the LID track must first submit their dossier to China before reviewing LID files.
For more information on the differences between GWCA’s LID and Special Focus adoption tracks click here, or contact our China matching specialists today!
- Visit our China Waiting Child photo listing to learn more about our Special Focus kiddos!
- Learn more about the China adoption process!