America World Adoption News

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!

China Mission Trip September 2012

It is not too late for your family to join us! We will be hosting an upcoming mission trip to China, September 20-30 to visit several of our orphanage partnerships. We are still accepting trip applications through Monday, August 6. The trip is open to any previous AWAA families or those who may accompany an individual who is attending the trip. 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 exciting opportunity should email waitingchildren@awaa.org to obtain a brief trip application as well as additional information regarding cost overview, locations we will visit, and other trip details.  

China Waiting Children Program- July Referral Overview

The China program is excited to announce that throughout the month of July, 8 children were matched with their forever families.  These referrals were for girls and boys ages 9 months to 7 years with various medical needs.  The referral wait time will always vary for each family depending on what gender, age, and special needsa 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.

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 February 2012. This means that all families who were logged in at the CCCWA through February 2012 have had their dossier paperwork reviewed. The CCCWA completed 2 months of dossier review. 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 Opportunity

We are excited to announce that we will be taking a team to visit several of our orphanage partnerships in China on September 20-30, 2012. The trip is open to any previous China program families or those who may accompany an individual who is attending the trip. America World will handle all trip details including booking flights internationally, booking flights domestically while in China, in-country transportation, guides/translators, and all meals.

We would like to have several trip members who are in the medical field (nurses, doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) attend this trip if possible. We will be visiting orphanages that are home to children with medical needs. We welcome any individual/couple and encourage you to apply regardless of whether or not you have a medical background, as anyone may take part in this opportunity. Space is limited.

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

China Waiting Children Program- June Referrals

The China program staff is excited to announce that throughout the month of June, 9 families accepted referrals.  The children represented were both boys and girls, ages 9 months to 13 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 to request more information.

China Family Adoption Video

The Benton family has adopted through America World’s China program and serves as one of our Maryland Associates. Their adoption testimony and family story has been broadcasted on a news station in China. You can view their testimony below or on YouTube here.

 

5Ks & High Heels- My Story as a Child and Adult with Cerebral Palsy

When I heard from staff that there was a specific need for families to consider cerebral palsy (CP) in the China Waiting Child program, it took me by surprise. As someone who has grown up with mild cerebral palsy, the term does not carry the intimidating or negative connotation I imagine it would for others. In fact, most people aren’t even aware that I could be categorized with this “medical needs label”.  On the occasion that it has come up in conversation, shocked glances have usually followed. I assume it’s because I don’t fit the mental image of someone with cerebral palsy. I wear high heels, run 5ks and growing up, even most of my teachers were unaware. It has absolutely no impact on my mental capabilities.

Cerebral Palsy is also generally considered static, or non-progressive in nature. So while it did require correction growing up, the life I now live is, and will continue to be, very typical. I know in many other parts of the world, the stigma alone would have meant a much different life.  Certainly the “normal” life I enjoy today did not come without some struggle. There were leg surgeries at age 3, 11 and 18. There were crutches and casts, stays at the nearby children’s hospital and trips to physical therapy. I’m sure there were sleepless nights for parents. However, looking back, I would not change any of those difficulties in my childhood. I believe there is a depth to our relationship with the Lord that comes in part from walking through such difficulties with Him. And today, my daily life is wholly unaffected by this “special need.”

I know there are those that would say CP does affect their daily life in real ways. Cerebral palsy can range from very mild to  severe. So, I would never want to suggest that my story is everyone’s story or that it will be the story of every child living with CP in a Chinese orphanage. What I am suggesting, is that the child God has for your family may be hidden behind the label of a special need that is more manageable than you ever thought.  

I love how Jesus sees “special needs” in the scripture. He certainly had a different perspective than the culture He was living in at the time. 

“His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man or his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”  -John 9:2-3

May we see the child with a special need as an opportunity for God’s glory to be displayed here on earth. It is my prayer that His wisdom and provision be with you, should He grant you the privilege of parenting such a child. 

-an AW Staff Member

The China Waiting Children Program currently has several new children available for adoption who have CP. There are also a large number of children with CP who are available through the CCCWA’s shared system. Your family can view these children on the waiting children website or contact your Family Coordinator for more details about other children who are available through the shared referral system who are not listed on our website.

For more information on cerebral palsy, please visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/index.html

**An international specialist can also be a valuable resource, and we can provide your family with a general listing of international specialists upon request.

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 December 31, 2011. This means that all families who were logged in at the CCCWA through December 31, 2011 have had their dossier paperwork reviewed. The CCCWA completed 3 months of dossier review. 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.