America World Adoption News

China Waiting Children Program– December 2012 Referrals

The China program staff is excited to announce that throughout the month of December, 10 children were matched with their forever families. These referrals were for girls and boys ages 14 months to 8 years with various medical needs. The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needs a family is requesting as well as the number of children released each month by the CCCWA and types of special needs represented. We know many families are waiting for their referrals and we continue to pray for all families throughout the adoption process.

Families who would like to learn more about the program and referral opportunities can contact China Program staff. 

The Benton Bunch

photo credit: Gretchen Phillips

Check out this article in the Southern Maryland Online Newspaper about the Bentons, an America World adoptive family. Parents Bill and Toni, who are also AW Associates, talk about their eight children, seven of which are from China. Several of their children were adopted from the Waiting Children program. 

Read the full article here. 

If you have been featured in a news story and would like to share with our blog readers, email us at blog@awaa.org. If you haven't, you may consider reaching out to your local news outlet to ask if they are interested in featuring an adoption story! 

China Waiting Children Program- October Referrals

The China program staff are excited to announce that throughout the month of October, 11 children were matched with their forever families.  These referrals were for boy and girls ages 14 months to 10 years with various medical needs.  The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needs a family is requesting as well as the number of children released each month by the CCCWA and  types of special needs represented. We know many families are waiting for their referrals and we continue to pray for all families throughout the adoption process.  

Families who would like to learn more about the program and referral opportunities can contact China Program staff.

Andy's Smile

Last week, you may have read the Nguy Family's Adoption Story. Upon their return home from China with their son, Andy, a friend of their family decided to write a brief poem about Andy’s cleft lip and palate and the lens from which different people may view this condition. We love this sweet perspective and wanted to share it with your family.

Andy’s Smile

By Heather Ward- October 2012 

When I smile, sometimes people don’t smile back.

They stare at the cleft in my lip.

My mom always smiles back.  She says my smile is like a tunnel.  It reaches deep down into my soul.

My dad always smiles back.  He says my smile is like a rocket.  It makes his spirits soar.

My sister Ellie always smiles back.  She says my smile is like sunshine.  It brightens her day and warms her heart.

My grandfather always smiles back.   He says my smile is like when the Red Sox win at Fenway.  It is a celebration.

My grandmother always smiles back.  She says my smile is like getting a good fortune cookie.  It is a sweet surprise.

My uncle always smiles back.  He says my smile is like a donut.  It is missing one piece, but still a scrumptious treat.

My aunt always smiles back.  She says my smile is like lightening.  It is a zigzag surrounded by energy and sparkle.

My friend Adam always smiles back.  He says my smile is like a roller coaster ride.  It twists up, down, and around.  Whee!

My neighbor always smiles back.  She says my smile is an ocean wave.  It is full of beautiful swirls and curls.

Take a closer look at my smile.  I bet you’ll smile too!

If you have ever considered adopting a child with a cleft lip and palate or another medical need, there are many children like Andy who are waiting for a family. There is a great need for families who are open to adopting boys with either repaired or unrepaired medical conditions. Families open to adopting a boy of any age with a repaired or unrepaired condition or interested in adopting a healthy older boy will generally have a shorter adoption process. If your family is interested in learning more about adopting a son or daughter through the Waiting Children Program (children of all ages with a medical/repaired medical need or older healthy boys/girls) please email Waiting Children for more information.

China- Twins & Sibling Groups Available

America World currently has an opportunity to place two sisters and a set of twin boys from China. These children are currently a part of a special program within the China Waiting Children Program. All children available through this program are healthy, but are older healthy children (generally age 5 through age 13). Families who currently have a dossier in China with a Log in Date are preferred, though we may be able to evaluate families on a case by case basis for eligibility in cases where the dossier has not yet been submitted and logged in. If your family is interested in learning more about this opportunity, please email waitingchildren@awaa.org for more information.

China- Update on CCCWA’s Review of Dossiers

The China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) has confirmed that they have completed the review of dossiers that were registered with their office through April 2012. This means that all families who were logged in at the CCCWA through April 2012 have had their dossier paperwork reviewed. The CCCWA completed 2 months of dossier review (March/April 2012). The timeframe for the dossier review process will vary as it is based upon the number of dossiers that are logged in during the particular month(s) that is(are) currently under review.

**Families should note that the CCCWA will generally contact an agency when there is an issue with a family’s dossier, while it is being reviewed during the dossier review stage and will request any corrections or clarification of information contained in the dossier. Although a family may not be questioned during the review stage, a family may still be questioned at the referral matching stage, though this is less common.

We will continue to post any future updates to dossier review as soon as they are confirmed by the CCCWA.

China Mission Trip - November 2012

It is not too late for your family to join us! We will be hosting an upcoming mission trip to China November 1-10 to visit several of our orphanage partnerships. Families will have the opportunity to minister to children and orphanage staff during their time in China. We are still accepting trip applications through Friday, September 28. The trip is open to any current America World families in the adoption process (individuals may accompany someone who is attending the trip) Those who have previously adopted through AW are also welcome to join us. America World will handle all trip details including booking flights internationally, booking flights domestically while in China, hotels, in-country transportation, guides/translators, and all meals.

Those who are interested in this opportunity should email waitingchildren@awaa.org to obtain a brief trip application as well as additional information regarding cost overview, itinerary, and other trip details.

Celebrating Culture and Experiencing China- Winter Tour of China

We are excited to announce a wonderful opportunity for all families who have adopted from China! In cooperation with the China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA), NCFA (National Council for Adoption) is excited to announce the “Celebrating Culture and Experiencing China” Winter Tour from December 23, 2012 - January 1, 2013. This year’s tour will be open to children who were adopted from China along with their adoptive parents and siblings. This tour also allows for an optional visit to their child’s orphanage for those families who are interested.

Children born in China and adopted by American parent(s) are eligible for this trip at no cost to the child once they have purchased their child’s air transportation to and from Beijing.  Authorized chaperones can also be provided for children 12 and above whose parents cannot attend. (though availability is limited for this option) The trip will begin with a four-day tour of Beijing, during which participants will have the opportunity to experience the vibrant and colorful culture of China’s capital. From there, camp participants will travel to several cities throughout China, including Xi’an, Chengdu, and ShangLi. Among other activities, participants will visit the Great Wall, feed and clean panda bears at the BiFengXia Panda Center, and experience enriching local cultural activities. 

For full details, a complete itinerary, registration forms and cost overview, please click here. We hope that many families will take advantage of this wonderful cultural opportunity.

China Waiting Children Program- August Referrals

The China program staff is excited to announce that throughout the month of August, 10 waiting children were matched with their forever families. These referrals were for boys and girls ages 10 months to 11 years with various medical needs. The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needs a family is requesting as well as the number of children released each month by the CCCWA and types of special needs represented. We continue to pray for all families as they wait for their referrals and continue in their adoption process.

Families who would like to learn more about the waiting children program and referral opportunities can contact China Program staff.

Waiting Children Programs

Please join America World in advocating for the waiting children in our adoption programs such as Brazil, India, Russia, El Salvador China and Ethiopia. A waiting child is a child who is eligible for adoption and is waiting for their forever family. Over the years, we have been honored to serve hundreds of families who have adopted waiting children. Many of them have their contact information on our reference page, and you are welcome to contact these families to learn about their experience. Waiting children may be healthy older children or have special needs. Prospective or current families can visit our Waiting Children webpage to learn more about adopting these children and can talk to a Family Coordinator about the referral review processes and opportunities. The Christian Alliance for the Orphans has several resources for older child adoptions.

Additionally, we have lists of resources to share with families as they consider different medical needs or an older child. Thank you for joining us in prayer for these precious children!