WE'VE MOVED!!!

Our blog has been retired, but all of our waiting children are now on our website:

http://wiaa.org/galleries/waiting-children-international/

See you there!

Consider a boy!

DID YOU KNOW?  There are significantly more boys who are waiting children in China than girls. Many people do not know this and may not not realize how many boys are waiting in orphanages for a family to choose them.  These are just 4 of our waiting boys from China who are looking for their forever families.  Please watch the video below to learn more about why YOU should adopt a boy! (have a tissue ready)

"Adopting a Boy" by Love Without Boundaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ijggNs2Ask

For more information, read this blog series from Love Without Boundaries on the Changing Face of China's Orphans:
http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/adoption/changing-face/

2 sisters from Taiwan

These 2 darling girls were able to visit the US for a summer tour in August 2014.  We can get you in touch with the host family the sisters stayed with for more information!

Shan and her sister Liang are in different foster homes, but they arrange to meet
every month for an hour. Adoption social worker indicated that the two children were
closely attached. They never seemed to run out of things to talk about each time they met.
They also played games and chatted with each other.

Shan is able to walk, run, jump, climb up the stairs quickly from 1st to 4th floor. She could also draw princesses with different facial features, statures, hair styles, and dresses as well as paint a picture of underwater sea world using just dots. She could use complete sentences to express herself and describe
things. For example, “I want to draw a picture for the teacher.” “We have the most class
sessions for Mandarin in school.” Her motor and speech development are
age-appropriate. Shan is active, outgoing, and innocent. She smiles
to everything.

Liang is in 2nd grade. As indicated by foster mother, she has good learning ability
especially in math. She can focus in class and has an average of 80-90 on every subject.
She loves reading.

For more information about these cute sisters, please contact: kathy@wiaa.org

Grant funding up to $2500 available to qualifying families

Orphanage partnership

Wasatch is pleased to announce our new orphanage partnership in Liaoning province! Staff members Kathy Junk and Jessica Wilson will be traveling next month to China to visit the orphanage, and will take video and photos of the children available for adoption. We have been told there will be some non-special focus children. Families interested in a non-special focus child should sign up with Wasatch soon to be one of the first families matched with one of these children!

(Liaoning province: china.org.cn)

Home study FAQs

HAVE YOU BEGUN YOUR HOME STUDY??  This is one of the first questions anyone considering adoption will most likely be asked.  Some adoptive parents don't know what a home study is, others may have questions on how to find a social worker to complete their study while others may have begun the process and are excited to be matched with a child. No matter which category you fall into, a home study is a very important first step to beginning an adoption. 

1.  What is a home study?  Although every state has slightly different requirements for a home study the overall purpose is the same.  A home study ensures that an adoptive home is a safe physical and emotional environment for a child.  The adoption home study is a detailed written report of your family. compiled and prepared by a social worker.  This can take three to six months to finish.  The home study requires adoptive parents to gather different documents, answer several questions and explore their reasons for adopting.  Through a series of visits and interviews the social worker can get a complete picture of who you are and what life is like in your family.  The adoption home study is a part of the decision making process for both the prospective family and the workers and therefore a very important first step in the adoption process.

2.  Where can I find a social worker in my state?  A home study for adoption must be completed by a social worker licensed in his or her state and also must be working for a Hague accredited adoption agency.  A list of these agencies can be found through this link (listed by state):

http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/agency_accreditation/agency_search.php

3.  Why is a home study an important first step?  Many families see a child on our blog or other advocacy site, fall in love and want to adopt them immediately.  They want to do everything as fast as possible to ensure this child is matched with them.  It is a good desire to want to bring a child home as quickly as possible so they are not in an orphanage any longer than they need to be.  However, what families need to know is that if they do not receive a favorable home study, they cannot adopt.  By falling in love with a child, having them matched to you and proceeding without having even talked to a social worker about the child you envision for your family, you are putting the "cart before the horse."  A social worker will help you explore the age, gender, special needs if any of a child and also prepares the parents for realistic expectations regarding their adoptive child. 

We at Wasatch put the child first.  It is not in the child's best interest to have a family make a quick, uninformed decision with regard to a child that will come to live with them forever.  There are times a decision may need to be made fairly quickly and steps taken to match the child but at the very least Wasatch wants the family to have communicated with a social worker and shared with them their plans, any issues that could be a problem and feel confident the social worker will approve them and have started the application process with them. 

A home study is not meant to be scary.  It is meant to be a helpful process to ensure both the parent and child have the best outcome possible.

Journey of Hope

We are excited to announce our involvement with CCCWA's Journey of Hope Camp.  This is a camp to bring attention to many of the waiting children that are often overlooked. Our China representative was able to travel to Jiangsu province and found 5 special boys for our agency.    She was able to video and interview these children and while they are older, they all seem like wonderful children. You can read more about these great kids on our China Waiting Children page.

IVAN - Child of the Month from Europe

Look at this handsome guy!!  He has been waiting for a family for a very, very long time.  He is 11 years old, soon to be 12 and is considered "clinically healthy".  Our country staff (including a therapist) visited him personally and shared that sadly Ivan is in "one of the worst" orphanages for older children.  However the orphanage director says Ivan is one of the "good" children in the home and he listens to the staff and keeps the rules. There is fear however that very soon other children will begin to influence him in a negative way. He is currently in 5th grade. Literature is one of Ivan's favorite subjects. He was able to repeat the story of Little Red Riding Hood adding many details and telling the story correctly to our country staff. He has the sweetest, soft voice. (See video link below) They noted that he was one of the few children that they were able to lead a dialogue with.  They said it was impossible with some of the other children because they did not even understand what they were being asked.  Ivan is a friendly and calm child.  He was able to share his experience and history events from the day and past.  He loves soccer and wants to be a "soccer player" when he is older.   

The final personal observation from our in-country staff was that Ivan is a naturally good child who needs personal care and attention to be distant from the unfavorable environment in order to have higher marks at school and to have better skills. Ivan is a respectful child. He has a positive emotional tone and attitude about everything. Ivan has a very beautiful and charming smile and we hope that he will has his chance to have a family of his own.

  

I am in love with this child and my plea is for a family to get him out of that orphanage now!!  Agency fees are reduced, foreign fees are reduced and there is also a $2500 grant for qualifying families.

His video can be seen on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbzmwqIkRQA

Please contact kathy@wiaa.org for more information about this wonderful child who needs a family fast!!!

Cora from Asia

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE CORA HAS FOUND HER FOREVER FAMILY!!!! SO HAPPY FOR THIS PRECIOUS GIRL.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED TO ADVOCATE FOR HER

We're featuring cute Cora today. Cora is 9 and has deformed hands and feet. 

Generally she is a happy girl, but can be quiet because of her disability. She gets along with others children from the orphanage and school very well, and she likes to help out the nanny at the orphanage.  She is welcome at the orphanage and school, especially at the orphanage, because she is older than most of other children, so she likes to take care of them, and the younger children like to stay and play with her.

She could be shy in front of strangers. But together with the teachers and nannies, she has a very good relationship with them, and they are willing to tutor her and help her with her self-confidence.

She has close friends from school.  She is a happy and out-going girl.

Because her deformity and she is almost 10 years old already, she has started to realize more and more about her deformity and becomes embarrassed not.   She needs a family to love and accept her as the beautiful girl that she is!

WE'VE ALSO GOT VIDEOS!

For more information, please contact: kathy@wiaa.org

Grant funding available to qualifying families up to $2500.

Notice: Adoptions from Haiti to Begin Under the Hague Adoption Convention TODAY!

On April 1, 2014, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) will enter into force in Haiti.  The United States will be able to process Convention intercountry adoptions from Haiti that are initiated on or after April 1, 2014.  However, please note that delays may occur while Haiti’s adoption authority, the Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches (IBESR), implements a Convention-consistent adoption process, including finalizing the schedule of in-country fees. 

The Government of Haiti has authorized a limited number of U.S. adoption service providers (ASPs) to provide adoption services in Haiti.  However, they may further reduce these numbers to help manage their caseload.  IBESR may revoke the authorization of ASPs that are not currently providing adoption services in Haiti, which could potentially allow those who remain to process a greater number of cases.  ASPs concerned about their authorization status and those interested in seeking authorization may contact IBESR for more information.

In its March 2014 letter, IBESR agreed to process as a transition case, any case in which a Form I-600 or I-600A was filed before April 1, 2014, as long matching occurs by April 1, 2016 and no I-600A extension is required.  We will provide additional information if it becomes available and is confirmed.  Questions about the transition process, and Form I-600A, and Form I-800A filings should be directed to USCIS.    

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.  Email inquiries may be directed toHaitiadoptions@state.gov. 

http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=haiti_5

Bodie from Eastern Europe -- BODIE HAS FOUND HIS FOREVER FAMILY!

This little sweetheart is Bodie.  We are featuring him because he is such a great kid but sometimes it is hard to look past a child's face if it is not perfect.  

Bodie has a congenital malformation of the face and because of this has hearing loss, although he compensates very well for it.  

Bodie is very friendly and caressing. He loves to be cuddled and held. Bodie plays with the children from his group.

Because of his hearing loss, Bodie doesn't speak, but he quickly understands how to accomplish things. He deals very well and actively “communicates” with the other children – he gently taps them on the head – that’s his way for communication. He is looking for communication with the other children – they are interesting for him. He orientates well on mimics and gestures. He masters quickly, adapts very well and he is integrated in the group. Bozhi keeps rules (he is learning from trial and error).

His motor skills are developed very well – he is very active. He walks and climbs, he has no problems. Bodie plays, kicks and throws a ball. He plays with every toy.  

 This boy is a loving child who has big darling eyes looking for love. I hope that a family for this boy will be found soon! 

When our attorney met him, she said that he is an extremely sweet baby boy and it is impossible not to fall in love with him when you meet him.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

This is one of our cuties that has that specific special need. Please e-mail: kathy@wiaa.org for more info!

Haiti Waiting Child Page

We are very excited to announce that our Haiti Waiting Child page is up and running!  Check it out by clicking "haiti" on the ribbon near the top of this page.

Love Without Boundaries: There's a Pea in Your Nose!

Love Without Boundaries shared the following article about clefts:
There it was.  A little green pea was making its way out of Ellen’s nose.  I knew it was possible. I had heard the stories of raisins, kernels of corn, chocolate and even noodles sneaking their way into a toddler’s nose.  It’s all part of having a cleft palate.

Even after having a cleft palate repaired, often little holes or fistulas still remain.  Some are very obvious in the palate near where the two front teeth would be.  Some are a little more hidden and can be found in the gum.  Either of these locations lends itself to lunch or dinner remnants showing up in the nose.  The mere act of swallowing literally pushes food between the tongue and the palate thus pushing it through any little hole.  And unfortunately, food sometimes shows up in peculiar places.  Some children figure out how to keep food out of their nose while others are cheered on at the lunch table as they pull a noodle out of their nose.

Unfortunately, until the hole is closed surgically or with an obturator/retainer, food may continue to be found creeping into the nose.  Most physicians recommend a drink to try and wash food particles out or a good nose blow to try and clear any food out of the nose.

Surgery to close a hole or fistula is another part of having a cleft palate.  But how many surgeries do most children with cleft palates endure?  Well, there are the ones most people think of:  cleft lip and cleft palate repairs.  But some children will go on to have surgery to reshape the nose or to have ear tubes inserted.  Some children will have surgery to reshape the lip or for another set of ear tubes.  And then at about eight years of age, most children with cleft palates will have a bone graft surgery to fix the missing bone in the upper gum line.  Multiple surgeries are part of having a cleft palate.

Almost every child with a cleft lip and palate will have ear issues.  Having a cleft palate means that muscles of the palate did not develop appropriately, leaving a hole in the roof of the mouth.  Those same muscles are necessary to effectively work the eustachian tubes of the ears.  These are the tubes that drain fluid out of the ears, ultimately preventing a hearing loss or ear infection.   Many children with cleft palate will end up with ear tubes. Tiny little pieces of plastic can be inserted in the ear drum to allow the ear to drain any fluid or infection.  If left alone, the fluid backs up in the middle ear, causing a child to have limited hearing or hearing that sounds muffled and can lead to further damage of the middle ear.  Not being able to hear clearly can affect that child’s abilities to learn a new language, and to pronounce sounds correctly.  Ultimately, without good hearing the development of good speech can suffer.  Ear tubes, hearing tests, and ear issues are part of having a cleft palate.

And what about speech?  Speech production is an intricate orchestra of muscles, movements and air pressure.  Children with cleft lip and palate often require speech therapy to refine these movements.  Many children who are internationally adopted require speech therapy not only for speech production but also for the development and understanding of language.  Speech therapy often occurs weekly ranging in time from 30 to 60 minutes every week.  But those 30 to 60 minutes of speech therapy is just the tip of the iceberg.  There are worksheets and word lists to be completed and practiced daily.  Speech therapy can last a short period of time, such as a few months, but sometimes the needs are so great that speech therapy is required for several years.   Each child’s needs are individual, requiring a speech therapist to carefully craft goals and the process of meeting those goals.  Speech therapy is part of having a cleft palate.

Extra surgery, ear issues, ongoing speech issues and food in the nose are just a few of the often forgotten topics when adopting a child with a cleft lip and palate.  All are manageable and usually not permanent. However, it is very rare that a child who has a cleft lip and palate needs minimal intervention such as a couple of surgeries and they are just fine.  Cleft lip and palate are not considered life threatening, but having a cleft lip and palate is life-altering for both the child and the family.

~Christina Doelling is a mother of a four-year-old daughter who was adopted from China.  She is also a pediatric speech therapist with over 22 years of experience specializing in the needs of children who are internationally adopted and those that have a cleft lip/palate.

Original article: http://www.lwbcommunity.org/wisdom-wednesday-theres-a-pea-in-your-nose

Our Second Chance Program

    

Our Second Chance program is the only one of its kind in the U.S. This program is for families who have previously adopted a child, either internationally or in the U.S., and the child’s adjustment has not gone well. The family enrolls their child with our program, and we work to help locate possible adoptive families who have had experience in the type of struggles this child is having. The child’s family selects the new family from the ones we present to them. We screen applicants, and then when a suitable applicant family is found, we forward that family’s info to the current family and then set up some phone calls and also possible visits so the new potential family can meet the child if they would like this (a visit isn’t required). When the child’s family selects a new family, the families each use the services of an adoption lawyer for relinquishment, consents and finalization of the new adoption. These types of adoptions are called Direct Consent, so WIA isn’t technically placing the child into the new home, like our traditional programs do, but instead we help guide both sets of families through the private adoption process so that all the legalities of both states are fulfilled.



We have our fees for this type of adoption as low as possible. In every single case, the first family is in so much pain and crisis, and the new family is taking on the challenge of parenting a child who already has not worked out in the first home.



Nearly every day I talk to families in such crises. Today a family called about a 6 year old they adopted from Hong Kong who has autism and is very violent. Amazingly we have been able to find families for all the children we list.



We use the internet to post a story about the child, using a false name, but using real photos. Our Second Chance Facebook site has over 10,000 members, and when we post a child, there are 10’s of 1000’s of cross posts. Our administrative page shows that we often have 100,000 or more people view the post! It has been as high as 300,000 views of a child.

Check out our Second Chance facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/secondchanceadoptions

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY!

Beginning now through August 30, families who sign up with Wasatch Adoptions to adopt a waiting child from China, will receive a $500 reduction off of the program fee.  Application and contracts along with fees must be submitted before that date to qualify.  Don't forget Wasatch also offers grant funding up to $2500 for qualifying families.

 

This is one of our cuties who is waiting for her forever family

SUMMER HOSTING OPPORTUNITY

 

 

Two sisters from Taiwan, ages 8 and 10 are coming to California for a 2 week summer camp. We are looking for a family to host and sponsor in Southern California. They are available for adoption after they return to their home country and paperwork is complete. Please contact Kathy Junk at kathy@wiaa.org.

 

If you do not live in California and are still interested in hosting, you could come on vacation and have the girls with you at the hotel room....we could work something out! The hosting family would have the first opportunity to adopt the sisters if they wish. One family could sponsor one and one could sponsor another but they need to stay together.

 

Wonderful Video

If you don't already know about this video from our Facebook page, you have got to check out our sidebar (over on the right), scroll down and click on the Hofmaster family's Gotcha Day.  It will take you to a video that the Hofmaster family made about their darling daughter and I have yet to watch it without tearing up.  You've gotta see it!

"STUCK" and the Both Ends Burning Campaign

 Wasatch's own Chareyl Moyes will be presenting the founders of the "Both Ends Burning" campaign with the award-winning documentary "STUCK" at the Layton Hills AMC theater in Utah on April 8th at 7:00!  

In a campaign hearkening back to barnstorming tours, the award-winning documentary “STUCK”  will travel to 60 cities in 78 days to spread the story of the broken system that keeps thousands of orphans and abandoned children throughout the world stuck in institutions, separated from the arms of families eager to adopt them and give them loving homes.

The first stop will be Richmond, VA on March 1, and the tour bus will circle the country, culminating in Washington, D.C. May 17 with a premiere and the Step Forward for Orphans March.. A petition will be delivered to the members of Congress calling for legislators, global leaders and the president to take action to change the landscape of adoption. 

The movie is produced by Both Ends Burning, an international adoption reform foundation, to raise awareness of the dysfunctional system that – in an effort to protect children – often condemns them to years in an institution when families are available and waiting.

The film follows Tihun from Ethiopia, Nate from Vietnam, and Erickson and Therline from Haiti on their individual voyages from orphanages in their native countries to their homes with families in the United States. Filmmaker Thaddaeus Scheel tracks the chapters in the lives of these four children, revealing along the way the intense hope and disappointment they experience on the odyssey to unite as families. Some stories are heartwarming, showing incredible examples of kids who blossom after joining their families, while others offer insight into the emotional and physical impact institutional life can have on these kids.

Through the lens of personal, real-life stories the film asks how the global community can take care of these children, safeguarding them from the very real dangers of child trafficking and corruption while also answering their need to move from institutions into loving homes and a normal life.

An itinerary of the “STUCK” Tour is posted at http://bothendsburning.org/events/itinerary/ and volunteers in each of the 60 cities are being sought to lead a day of activities in each location, from media appearances to speaking engagements and the premiere itself. For further information, go to www.bothendsburning.org.

China E-mail Notification Fixed

We just noticed that there was an error with our post subscription box on our China page (which allows you to put in your e-mail address to be notified when we post new children)  :(  However, that has been fixed!!  We apologize for any inconvenience!  So feel free to sign up on that page if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.

Updated Pages

If you haven't been to our China, Bulgaria or Taiwan pages for awhile, you need to take a look!  We've got new kids, new updates, even videos!