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Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down Syndrome... |
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Isolde
Girl, born November 1999
Cerebral palsy
Additional information coming soon
Please help find her family before she ages out (at 16)!
Isolde is described as creative and eager.
From a volunteer who visited with her in July 2014: ”Isolde is really hitting puberty, it’s cute to see how her face starts to change and how tall she has grown this last year. Isolde is becoming a young lady, a wonderful young lady with a very strong but sweet character. Isolde is a good friend as well. She is best friends with Duane, but she has been put in a different group now. Nobody ever puts them together, so that’s what we did this summer. The nurses first wouldn’t let us, but we explained that they are best friends and then it was okay. They hugged for minutes, until Duane was getting weaker and he lay down on the floor again. Isolde tried to get him to hug some more or to play a game through the bars from the playpen, but he didn’t react anymore. Isolde was so disappointed, she tried for minutes to get him back on his feet and she didn’t want to sit down in her wheelchair again. She kept holding on to the bars of the playpen to keep herself on her feet. I had to tell her very strongly that she had to sit down and that she had to go back to her own group. She cried a little bit when I had to leave her again. Seeing her cry made me cry. She just wants to be loved and to give love. She has so much love to give. I wish someone would see what an amazing young woman she is. She is verbal, potty trained and very sweet. She is able to walk short paces, but to be honest, they wouldn’t let us this summer, so I hope she can still do it, because nobody has trained with her. They don’t have PT in her facility anymore, which she received a couple years ago. She needs to get PT. I stretched her legs a couple times those days and I could already see improvement in flexibility. It is amazing what a bit of stretching can do for her, imagine what PT can do for her. She can blossom in a family and I don’t have a doubt about the fact that she will be able to walk if she is given the chance.”
From someone who met her: Isolde is lovely. First I thought she couldn’t speak when I was there in the summer, ’cause it took her about 3 weeks before she would even say ‘thank you.’ But then she started to talk more and more. I started to do walking exercises with her. She could hardly stand on her legs by then. I practiced with her everyday and what I noticed is that she is a fighter. She worked so hard. She worked until she was bathing in sweat and totally tired. She wouldn’t stop before her legs couldn’t hold her anymore. Everyday we could walk further. First just one side of the building and in the end we could easily walk 2 rounds around the building. Though she needs quite some support. After the summer they gave her PT and she was walking way better when I was there in November again. She could walk with one hand then, which was totally impossible for her in the summer. And again she was fighting to learn more, but being inside the building all day would limit her. She is pretty smart too, I played games with her. One of the games was creating a ‘picture’ with little pins, just copying the example. The physical part of the game was the hardest. So we trained to pick up the pins, put them in and get them out. She is so wonderful! She smiles so sweet. She just stole my hard. In the beginning of the summer she had hardly any muscles in her leg and she was extremely skinny, but during the summer she got more muscles from exercising and in November she was doing even better. I’m so proud of this girl. If she will get the chance, she will reach so much, because she will fight for it. She would do so well in a family, because a family can give her the chance that she deserves and I know she will make the most of it.
Isolde’s best friend is Duane; who is also listed for adoption.
MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE. Married couples only, no parent age or family size restrictions, travel required.
Justin
Boy, born 2005
PRC
Thalassemia
Justin does not always go to school because of blood transfusions. He is behind in each aspect compared to other children. Now he can go up and down stairs, can jump off the ground, can draw lines with holding pen, can draw circle, likes painting; knows “big and small”, “inside and outside”, “more and less” and “left and right”; recognize color of “red, yellow, blue, green, white and black”. He can count from 1 to 10, but does not know number because of not receiving regular education.
His general language ability – he is talkative and can communicate simply, like telling you where he goes but not clearly. At the aspect of self-management, he can eat alone, can go to the toilet, can put on and off the clothes and socks. He also is a good helper, likes helping the caretaker do things like fetching things, helping the younger children.
Cara
Girl, born September 2007
FAS, cognitive delays, anemia, ADD, congenital malformation of ribs NOS: pectus excavatum congenital heart defect: Atrial septal defect
What a little doll! She may be a strawberry blonde? Cara is a sweet little girl with many of the challenges of fetal alcohol syndrome. Facial features, cognitive/academic delays, inattention, and heart condition are all common symptoms of FAS. She previously had a diagnosis of Hep C, but we believe that was preliminary at birth. Families should be aware of this and prepared, but not expect it to be the case. Cara will need to be followed by a cardiologist.
From one of our adoptive families who met her in 2013: Cara seems to be a very bright girl all around. She wanted to sneak out into the room where we were playing with our daughter. They all try When she was told to come in she would quickly sit by our side and say, “but I’m going to sit here nicely and play, I promise.” I felt so bad when they would make her come in. She DID play very nicely. She didn’t throw any tantrums. We gave her a mini slinkie to keep and she was so excited and said thank you and ran back into the room. Her hair is cut much shorter and she is petite. She got her shoes on and off by herself…and fast when told she could play after her shoes were on. She would really thrive in a family. This region waives the 10 day wait usually too which is extra nice.
Update March 2014:
Cara is a sweetie, but more shy. She’s very pretty and has striking blue eyes and blond hair. She would watch me and sneak over to wave hello before the nannies would send her back to her chair. She’s in a groupa that does a lot of preschool type work, and and is set up like a classroom so the kids come home with more age- appropriate skills. Our just-turned-3 year old daughter knows how to work puzzles, hold a crayon/pencil properly to write (and is showing pre-writing skills already), understands the concept of counting, etc- not the “norm” for orphanage life! So, kids from this groupa will likely come home knowing how to play appropriately with toys but also prepared to learn in a school-type setting as well. Cara does have obvious facial features of FAS, but the only behavioral/developmental issues that were apparent from casual glance was the sensory needs- she does rock back and forth on her chair when she has to sit for more than about 30 minutes. Otherwise, she seems to do very well. She follows instructions and sat quietly while waiting for her turn.
Julia
2014
Girl, born 2002
FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome), probable secondary CP
Julia has such happy, giant brown eyes and a smile that lights up a room!
From a volunteer who visited with her in July 2014: ”I know Julia as a big Drama Queen. She loves attention and she’ll do anything to draw your attention. But not this year. I don’t know if she was on heavier seditives or that she lost her strength to fight for attention. The only thing she’d do was take my hand as I walked by. Normally she’d wheel after me and try to climb on me, but it seeme like there was no strength left. I missed my Julia as I know her, my little monkey. I want her to find back her energy to get out of life what’s in there. She’s an amazing girl and she deserves a loving family. She Always has a big smile on her face and she’s really caring. She takes care of dolls as if they are real babies. She feeds them, changes their diapers. She loves to play with my hair and she actually tries to put the band in it. She is amazing! She would be such a good daughter! ”
From a family who met her in December 2013: “I have to shout for this precious girl for a moment…we are here now and we see her everyday at the orphanage. The pictures don’t do this dear one justice at all; she is gorgeous and so very sweet!!! She can’t walk on her own (she can if she is assisted!) but she is still quick! She comes over to me everyday and wants in my lap, to shake my hand, or give me a hug. She has SO much potential and I can just see the hunger for love and a Mothers touch in her eyes. She has been overlooked long enough!!! She is darling….truly!! ”
From someone who met her: Julia is a girl that I know as the girl with the big smile. Somehow she just seem to smile almost always. She’s a little monkey. Whenever somebody enters her group she would crawl up to that person and just start to climb on him/her. She doesn’t even need you to give her a hand, she’ll just climb up without any help and then she hangs on your neck, looking around, proud, as if she wants to say ‘Did you see that? Do you see where I am?’
Her favorite toy is a doll. She plays with it as if it is a baby. Keeping the doll up straight, putting her down carefully. She feeds and clothes the doll. One of the nurses showed her how she should put a cotton diaper on the doll, she totally loved it. She even sings lullabies for the doll and she’ll ask visitors to do the same. She also loves to play with long hair. She really tries to make ponytails or braids.
Julia is able to walk, but her legs are really crooked, and she needs help to keep standing or to walk. Julia is described as curious and enthusiastic.
Ezra
Boy, born Oct 2011 congenital
internal hydrocephalus operated; anemia; protein-energy deficiency
Ezra has had a shunt placed, and is doing better. His adoption may necessitate consultations with medical personnel, to safely transport him home.
From someone who met Ezra in 2013: Ezra is absolutely precious! He is sweet and adorable and oh so lovable! He laughs when his toes are tickled, or when someone around him laughs or talks or sings to him. He often smiles or laughs so hard his chubby cheekers make his eyes close. He ha s learned to blow spit bubbles and coo. It is hard for me to tell if he is able to use his limbs normally, but he is able to move from his back to his side with little or no assistance. He has not yet learned to play with toys, but he has a very strong grip and enjoys holding my finger. I was told he can see, but not very well. I observed his eyes moving rapidly from side to side, and sometimes appearing to be looking in two different directions. In spite of this there were other times in which he appeared to be quite focused and looking right at us. He has absolutely stolen my heart, and I hope that he will find a family that can help him meet his full potential!
These pictures are from May, 2013.
Caius and Anne are in the same orphanage with Ezra.
Large families welcome; married couples only.
Sullivan
2014
Boy, born 2001
Sullivan is a sweet, loving little boy. He is described as cheerful and curious. The smile on his face when he is being held is absolutely precious! He is not talking, but appears to be very capable of learning sign language to communicate! He loves to play “If you’re happy and you know it” and made up a sign for this, clapping his hands together.
Sullivan then quickly learned the ASL sign for more. In addition he has a sign for potty, and drink. He does not go right away to strangers, but wants those he is comfortable around to hold him and play with him. He is not able to stand or walk, but crawls to get around. When hurt by another child he will not attempt to defend himself, but will cry in hopes of someone comforting him. Sullivan is a very sweet boy who would do wonderfully in a family!
From a volunteer who visited with him July 2014: ” Sullivan is getting weaker. He needs to get out. He is a wonderful boy with an awesome smile. He loves to be held and cuddled. He hates it when you put him down. But he’s the kind of boy you would want to hold the entire day. I never want to put him down. Sullivan needs a family! ”
Porter
BOY, Born August 10, 2005
PORTER HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO AN INSTITUTION!
Don’t mind this pink shirt, Porter is a BOY. He is HIV+, stage 3. He is cognitively delayed as well, and has some paralysis on half of his body.
From his medical records: HIV stage 3, without immunosuppression, delay of psychomotor and speech development, bacillosis
Update 2013: Severe mental retardation, HIV, congenital heart disease
Amos
Boy, born December 1999
Rough mental delay, hydrocephalic syndrome
Please help find his family before he ages out (at 16)!
From someone who met him in 2012: Amos is a wonderful sweet boy! He will do anything you’ll ask. In the summer the children will play outside and the more disabled children are sitting in a big box. Everyday he carries out the carpet to put in the box and he will carry out the benches and chairs to sit on as well. When the ‘outside-time’ is over, he would carry it all back in again. He doesn’t really talk, but I’m pretty sure he would be able to. He does make sounds and he loves to ‘sing’. While singing he makes sounds that could almost be words, but as long as he’s lacking of stimulation, I think he will not talk. He likes to dance around to.
He is a big help for the nurses. When a child has to go to the shower or potty he brings them, when a child falls down, he picks the child up, even without somebody telling him to do that. He is a really social butterfly. He cares about the children around him and I’m sure that he would be an awesome big brother, because that’s what he is for the children in his group.
The only self stimulating behavior that I saw in Amos was sticking things in his ears. You can easily distract him from that by offering him a toy. Once he has a toy, he will not be bored, he can play forever with just one toy.
Large families welcome, multiple children may be adopted together from the same orphanage. Married couples only; travel required.
Artemur
2014
Boy, born January 2002
DS, atrial septal defect, polydactyly of the left hand
From a volunteer who met him in November 2014: “Artemur really needs to get out. Artemur is probably the strongest and one of the biggest children in his group, eventhough he’s only the size of a preschooler. The nurse who knew how to handle this group, an Artemur, isn’t there anymore. Artemurs behavior has gone worse. He bullies other children and he hits them. He doesn’t listen when nurses try to correct him. But as soon as he gets the positive attention of an adult he totally changes, he starts smiling and behaving very sweet. He is desperate for love and attention. They allowed us to take him (and some other stronger children) for a walk and that makes him so excited. He runs around and he want to explore everything there is to see. It’s a very eager boy. He just needs someone to teach him how to interact with other children. I think he would do best in a family with no younger (or at least smaller) children. Artemur is potty trained. When the nurses ask him to help bring the toys inside or push a wheel chair he will help. He knows how to react on verbal instructions. He has some language, but his language isn’t very clear. I have never seen him communicate about his needs with the nurses.”
Artemur is a handsome boy who has already been waiting far too long for a family of his own!
Large families welcome, multiple children may be adopted together from the same orphanage. Married couples only; travel required.
From someone who met Artemur in 2012: Artemur is a ladies man 
He loves to greet visitors with a formal “Hello”, a chair for the visitor to sit on, and for the ladies he’ll kiss their hands and
sometimes request a kiss by pointing to his cheek. He has ten toes and ten fingers, and appears healthy. He is one of the two highest functioning boys in his group and is a big helper. He is quite verbal, and he has good self-care skills, he is able to feed himself and ask to use the restroom. He likes to play with etch a sketches, toy phones, and bubbles. Artemur would probably do better in a family environment where he can be the youngest in the family.
Violet
Girl, born July 2003
Diagnosis: hydrocephaly, mental delays
She likes to play, tries to walk alone, but needs assistance. She doesn’t speak, but understands much.
From someone who met her in 2012:
When I walked into the room packed with children, her smile and wave and joy stood out more than all the chaos and heartbreak and noise. She was a darling and I just know she would be amazing to have as a daughter.
Emil
Born December 1999
Diagnosis: cerebral palsy and down syndrome
DARLING NEW VIDEO OF EMIL from August 2014! Snugglebug! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5fMJJhY6DA
From a missionary who visited with him in August 2014: Emil is a little rascal that loves attention. He likes to climb up on your lap and blow raspberries. After I kissed him on the cheek he kept squishing his face against mine so that I would kiss him again! He is one smart cookie. He can verbalize lots of different sounds, so he would learn to speak in no time. He can stand and take a few steps with assistance when he wants to! He is lots of fun and needs a Mama and Papa!
From someone who met him in 2012: Emil was the gentlest child ever! Unable to talk but the pleading in his eyes killed me! He grabbed my finger and wouldn’t let go…what a grip! He also got really hit a few times by others wanting my attention, he didn’t retaliate but fell in a heap and moved away, only to return when the coast was clear. I would love to see this child in a nurturing environment!
Emil is able to walk.
Eldridge
Boy, born May 2009
Cerebral palsy
Eldridge also has significant features of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome), but this is not diagnosed.
Large families welcome, married couples only. Travel required.
Brinli
Girl, born August 2009
After-effects of viral encephalitis in the form of microcephaly, movement disorders syndrome (cerebral palsy syndrome), epileptic syndrome of residual genesis, secondary hypothalamic syndrome, loop of thermal control
Brinli has pretty eyes, and such lovely long fingers. She desperately needs a family to save her from a life spent lying in a crib.
Large families welcome, married couples only. Travel required.
Polly #35-0 OD
Girl, born August 2000
Polly is a 12-year-old girl with a mild mental delay who has a developmental disorder of speech and language. She is in need of dental care due to some issues with her teeth.
Polly is relatively well-developed physically when compared to the age norms. The lack of parental care, a mother’s caress and physical and emotional contact in early infancy has affected the child’s psychological development negatively by lowering the quality of her behavioral activity.
There are no significant irregularities as regards Polly’s psychomotor development. She demonstrates satisfactory verbal, non-verbal and eye contact. Her strength is correspondent to her bodily development. The child has normal mobility and well-coordinated movements. She would benefit from active physical activities and sports. The girl has adapted well to her classmates at school. Her attention is unsteady during the classes; she has limited attention span and low stability of concentration and can easily be distracted.
Additional medical information available.
Because we only have this child’s file for a short time, she will not be able to receive donations until a family is found for her.
Robert #34-9
Boy, born December 2002
Down syndrome
Robert is a handsome young man. His general development is delayed. He has good gross motor skills, and his fine motor skills need a bit of assistance; he likes to color. He enjoys listening to music, and dancing. He vocalizes, but his expressive speech is not developed yet.
Robert currently is a student in the fourth grade of a Special School. He has a good orientation in the academic environment and points at objects in the classroom. He understands instructions, but does not always follow them. He knows his name and reacts with a smile when called by name. He takes part in the educational activities with interest but he would soon lose his concentration. He shows positive attitude toward children and adults. He often takes part in organized events. The boy performs simple chores – when assisted and stimulated he cleans his work place and the classroom.
Additional information available from the agency. Recent pictures and videos available, too!
Dani
Girl, born December 2009
Cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, movement disorders in combination with vision and hearing impairments
DANI IS FACING TRANSFER!
They really want a family for her in the orphanage before she has to be transferred.
Dani has beautiful blue eyes, and a darling little button nose!
Large families welcome, travel required.
Griffith
Boy, born August 2008
Minimal hydrocephalus
Griffith is a very nice boy! He has a little bit of an impish look to him in this picture, doesn’t he?
Married couples only, travel required. Large families welcome!
Ryan #6-14
DOB: 2001
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
Ryan is 12 years old. He has been in an institutionHis gross motor skills are well developed. He walks, runs, climbs and prefers physical activities. He exhibits some stereotypical movements. He plays with toys and attempts to manipulate them correctly. He requires 1:1 assistance for academic tasks. He is currently being instructed in how to trace letters, though he still requires assistance with this task. He tries to fit shapes into puzzles. He can arrange blocks and builds towers with them. He likes to arrange the chairs in stacks. He eats independently, though he’s still working on hygiene in related to table skills. He does put away his own dishes once he’s done eating. He can dress himself, but he does not undress himself independently. His personal hygiene skills are not built up at this time. During art class, he requires assistance with coloring and art projects. He can glue items onto paper if the items are pre-cut for him. His emotions and attention are unstable. He is hyperactive and doesn’t always follow the rules. He exhibits difficult behaviors when he doesn’t get his way or doesn’t want to do something. He is sometimes aggressive with objects and with his peers. He enjoys dancing and prefers to participate in activities and play that involve a ball and interacting with children who are more physical.
Additional information: Ryan has been visited by an experienced adoptive family and members from an adoption team well experienced in observing children with special needs. During the visits, he exhibited aggression toward the adults and staff members from the institution. He had difficulty following basic instructions from the staff and often didn’t respond to his name. He did seem to enjoy interacting in small amounts with the adults, though he wanted those interactions on his terms. He did not respond well to restrictions or being made to do things that he did not want to do. He will need a family willing to provide a lot of structure, routine and consistency in behavior management.
Additional photos and videos of Ryan from October 2012 are available.
Duane
2014
Boy, born November 2000
Down syndrome, neurodystrophy, psychological and motor development disorder, alalia
So glad to have a new photo of Duane! He’s making silly faces for you.
From a volunteer who visited with him in July 2014: ” Duane is a wonderful boy, but he doesn’t get the attention he deserves. It is getting harder to interact with him. He responds less and less when you try to interact with him. Even when you are interacting with him, he loses interest and he will lay on the floor again.
He is best friends with Isolde, but she has been put in a different group now. Nobody ever puts them together, so that’s what we did this summer. The nurses first wouldn’t let us, but we explained that they are best friends and then it was okay. They hugged for minutes, until he was getting weaker (his legs aren’t really strong) and he lay down on the floor again. Isolde tried to get him to hug some more or to play a game through the bars from the playpen, but he didn’t react anymore. I’m afraid that next year he’ll be worse again. He needs to get out. Duane has some language, but is mainly non-verbal. He shows no agressive behaviors, but as said, he is getting weaker, he is showing less and less behaviors at all. Someone needs to go and get him out of there.”
From someone who met Duane in 2012: Sweet little Duane is the huggiest boy I’ve ever met! He is a determined, strong willed little guy and is up walking and chasing after balls despite some mild CP on his left side that causes his left knee to extend backwards in a painful looking manner. He has an amazing laugh, though it is sometimes a mischievous laugh. He sometimes feels the need to push boundaries, such as throwing balls at the other children, but he is a boy with a lot of love to give, both to the adults and the other kids in his group. He also sometimes gives massages. I feel he would especially thrive in a house where he is the youngest, or at least the smallest child in the home.
Significant features of FAS, shared as a cautionary disclosure for families considering his needs.
Duane’s best friend is Isolde; they could be adopted together.
Boy, born July 2007Gabriel L16
Boy, Born December 2001
Down syndrome
Handsome Gabriel! 13 years old and really needs a loving, experienced family to give him the life he deserves. He probably has a bit of ADHD, possibly ASD. He is considered relatively low functioning (compared to other children with Down syndrome). But he is active, able, and deserving of a better life than he’s got!
Gabriel will do best in an environment without younger children. He is a big boy and can be assertive at times. He has tremendous potential and I can’t wait to see him blossom in his new family! Older parents and larger families welcome!
Nikolajs L15
Boy, Born May 2002
Down syndrome
L15
Nikolajs is 12 years old and waiting for his family to find him. His name means “Victory of the People”. Walks free, is active in the environment which is known to him. Is not able to talk but understands what others are saying, uses gestures when communicates. Expresses emotions by making different sounds and by imitating gestures, likes to imitate different activities, likes dancing or talking by the toy cell phone. Nikolajs also likes playing, has interest in books and magazines. He is calm and he likes to play with his toys alone. Makes role plays – cooperates with other children when wants to. Likes leafing books. Nikolajs knows his digits from 1 to 5 on his fingers. Also points to correct letters when asked. Takes part in sports and culture events at the orphanage.
Full medical and social history available!
Brady L9
Boy, Born April 2001
Down syndrome
Brady is a young man who is 13 years old. He has blue eyes and light brown hair. Brady by nature is calm, kind and he likes tactile communication with an adult.
Brady needs a loving, experienced family of his own. He has heart and pulmonary conditions that desperately need to be addressed. These impact his physical and cognitive abilities, and keep him from achieving his full potential. Full medical and social history available.
Older parents, large families, and single moms are welcome.
Christian L11
Boy, Born May 2004
Down syndrome
Christian has positive reactions towards the adults with whom he is familiar. Has interest about what surrounds him, though not very big and also not very sustainable. Makes unarticulated sounds. He sleeps well, but has difficulties to fall asleep.
Christian attends school and gets good references from his teachers, he is starting to express his opinion – murmurs when tries to answer. Active and joyful and as most boys – he likes cars and playing with them. Is able to move up and down the stairs, eats self-dependently, though has self-care difficulties (still working on toileting), likes long walks in fresh air but is able to do them only with holding on one’s hand.
Christian has amazing potential….what a joy to get to watch him grow and thrive in a forever family!
Older parents, large families, and single moms welcome. Great program!
Dante L3
Boy, Born April 2000
Dante is a handsome young man! Nearly 14 years old and full of life and potential. Considered quite high functioning by the staff and caregivers. Very smart, active, friendly, helpful…enjoys the computer very much, as well as hockey and basketball. Loves people and playing with other children, but likes to have his own time as well. Speaks well, understands clearly, responds appropriately. He even knows how to ride a bike safely in the street! He is generous with his things, but also takes care of them. (I’m wondering where I can get a child like this!? Wow!)
He does seem to need glasses (he squints a lot). Full medical and social history available.
Praying Dante will not have to wait one second longer now that he has a voice and a chance through Reece’s Rainbow. Older parents and large families welcome, single moms welcome. Wonderful program!
Jordan L26
Boy, Born November 2001
L26
Diagnosis: Severe mental retardation, significant behavioral changes that require looking after or treatment (F72.1). Down Syndrome. Atrophy of optic nerve. Thrombocytopenia. VCC – atrial septal defect.
Jordan is 13 years old. He has light brown hair and brown eyes. Instead of playing soccer and other games, Jordan clings to a walker because he has vision problems, and it makes him feel so uncertain about the world around him. Jordan has tremendous potential in a loving, experienced adoptive family.
Older parents, large families and single moms welcome. A family where Jordan can be the youngest, with older siblings, would be ideal for his learning and attachment. He has missed out on so much in life 
WE’VE HAD MULTIPLE SUCCESSFUL OLDER CHILD ADOPTIONS IN THIS PROGRAM!!
Crystal L25
Girl, Born November 2001
Down syndrome
Crystal is so pretty! Dark hair and brown eyes. She does have Down syndrome, but also has many facial features of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome) as well. Crystal has tremendous potential. She has been significantly impacted by very poor vision and hearing, and that has resulted in lower cognition and physical abilities. Imagine how her world could open up with medical treatment, glasses, and hearing aids!
Crystal can be assertive sometimes, so a family with older children is recommended. Full medical and behavioral info available. Older parents, large families, and single moms welcome.
Jill L22
Girl, Born January 2002
Down syndrome
Jill is a beautiful young lady who needs a loving, experienced family. She is considered profoundly delayed. She does attend a school for children with special needs, and she does recv therapy and specialized care in her orphanage. She is growing well (size-wise), but she needs full care. She tries to walk but gets tired easily. She has some autistic/institutional behaviors, and craves sensory input.
Full medical and social history available. Wonderful program with a great agency partner. Older parents, large families, and single moms welcome. Families should be experienced with international adoption and the challenges of older children with special needs. WE’VE HAD MULTIPLE SUCCESSFUL OLDER CHILD ADOPTIONS IN THIS PROGRAM!!
Thomas L19
Boy, Born November 2003
Down syndrome
L19
Hi Thomas! Thomas is 11 years old and waiting for his forever family. He is in 2nd grade now in his school and doing well. He is very active and friendly, smart and helpful! He does have a heart condition that will need attention.
Thomas likes to listen music, fairytales and poems. He tries to recognize letters and digits from 1 to 10 now. Is able to count along if one also is counting together with him, can show the digit, which is needed on his palm, when asked. He also is trying to learn to group shapes and to recognize colors. Thomas likes working with playdough. He gladly participates in sports activities and he likes aerobic exercises. Thomas is good in acquiring and comprehending everything what is new to him.
Self care skills – is able to dress and undress his clothing, but needs some help to button and unbutton his clothes, puts on his boots. Eats and drinks slowly but self-dependently. Toilet-trained during the day, still needs help at night. Thomas is learning how to wash his hands without getting wet and also tries to brush his teeth. Willing to participate in different house-works, he watches how it is done by others and then imitates it.
Thomas walks and runs. Likes going outside. He pronounces simple words and his own name in his special ‘language’. Responds to his name and is active. Understands simple instructions. Repeats words and always wants to do something – playing, imitating sounds and actions. Especially boy likes to improvise dancing. He likes playing alone, then he puts pyramids, draws lines with pencil. He observes other children around him and then imitates what he has seen. Thomas always will find what to do in his spare time. Likes music lessons and he often dances by the music. Learns to put in order toys after he had played with them.
Diagnose: Severe mental retardation, significant behavioral changes that require a looking after or treatment (F72.1). Down’s Syndrome. Compensated hypothyroidism. Celiac disease. Gastritis, duodenitis-helicobacter pylori positive, congenital heart disease, defect of septum of auricle of the heart, cardiovascular incompetence I-II (CVI I-II).
WE’VE HAD MULTIPLE SUCCESSFUL OLDER CHILD ADOPTIONS IN THIS PROGRAM!!
Fritz L4
Boy, Born June 2001
Down syndrome
Handsome Fritz is already 13 years old. He has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Fritz is blessed to live in a nice orphanage, but he needs a family of his own. He is considered lower functioning, and really needs a family who is experienced with adopting older children.
Fritz may struggle with some sensory or ASD challenges….he is very responsive but needs a lot of self-help and guidance from parents/caregivers. He would probably do best in a family where he can get lots of attention from his parents and older typical siblings….be the focus of the family!
Wonderful program, outstanding agency partner…older parents, large families, and single moms welcome. More photos and medical info available.
Alder
Girl, born June 2008
Cerebral Palsy
Alder needs a family, to spare her from a life in a crib, and reach her full potential.
Large families welcome, married couples only. Travel required.
Jolina
Girl, born August 2007
Nervous system disorders, mental delays
Jolina is a darling girl, waiting for her forever family! She has some features of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome). This is a cautionary disclosure, not a diagnosis.
Update from April 2014 : Jolina is a beautiful girl and she is very sweet! Her eyes are mesmerizing and full of hope and excitement. She is attentive to her nannies and seems to follow their instructions well. Jolina longs for attention and it is obvious that she has a desire for a family. She immediately wanted to call me “mama” and she patted the bench to let us know she wanted us to sit down near her. She seemed a little unsteady on her feet but she was walking around the room and she pulled a chair over to sit right in front of us. Jolina didn’t say much while we were in the room, so its hard to say how much she talks. Her orphanage was lovely and we would adopt from there again if given the choice. Jolina’s photo does not do her justice and sadly she seems very overlooked! We can’t wait to see Jolina with her forever family!
Lanora
Girl, born August 2009
Spina bifida - Congenital malformation of the central nervous system, myeloradiculomeningocele with rachischisis of lumbar spine; internal hydrocephalus, low paraplegia
Lovely Lanora needs a mama to let her beautiful hair grow out!
Large families welcome, married couples only.
Macarius
Boy, born April 2009
Cerebral palsy – Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy
Moderate mental delays; Divergent strabismus; Planovalgus (foot) deformity; malnutrition
Macarius speaks, plays toys and has a positive personality, smiles often. He is a very good boy!
Macarius doesn’t walk, the boy needs a surgery and even with surgery there can be only hopes for his future ability to walk. The doctor in the orphanage says he has good prognoses for the future and his development.
Additional pictures available. Large families welcome, travel required.
Matthew
Boy, born September 2010
Infantile cerebral paralysis, binominal hemiplegia; Internal hydrocephaly; Dysplasia of coxa (hips)
Such a little sweetie … look at those delicate fingers and big dark eyes!
He has possible features of FAS. This is not a diagnosis, but a cautionary disclosure.
Gibson
Boy, born August, 2010
Infantile cerebral paralysis; binominal hemiplegia; post-convulsive syndrome; cognitive delays
Gibson needs a family, or he could spend the rest of his life in a crib. This lovely boy needs a HOME!
Nevaeh
Girl, born, March 2010
Cerebral palsy, optic atrophy, developmental delays
Ohh, I love her little pouf of hair, what a lovely little girl.
Not sure how much vision she has.
From a family who met her in early 2014:
She needs out! She is skeletal and looks to be in very poor condition. Neveah just cries and cries if you get near her. Also, she appeared to be heavily sedated. She had a toy tied to her wrist/hand, and her hands were bound to not scratch herself. So, so sad.
Matalie 3G
13r4w-3
Date of Birth: June 2004
Gender: Female
Nature: Quiet
***This child is in a country that is currently not accepting new commitments. We can no longer accept grant donations or inquiries for this child, but we have not given up on any of these children and encourage all of our Prayer Warriors to continue their efforts! When and if this country program re-opens for adoptions, we will relist this child and begin seeking an adoptive family immediately.***
Liam
Boy, born March 2006
Cerebral Palsy, significant mental delays
Not a great picture, but Liam is a cutie! Even though he has CP, it’s nice to see him in a place that has him up and about.
Large families welcome, married couples only.
From a family who met him in 2014: This little guy tried for 5 minutes to get my attention before I could come over to him. Although he is mostly nonverbal, his receptive language is good, and he was able to follow instructions and respond to our conversation. I asked what he could do physically, and he immediately began pushing the cover back and trying to flip over, to show me he could roll, and pull up on the side of the bed. He is very sweet, and so very much wants OUT of the bed and to be up walking, but without proper medical intervention and regular therapy, he won’t be able to. His outgoing, sunny personality is absolutely wonderful! His biological mother died 4 years ago, and he entered the orphanage then, so he had that solid foundation of a loving mom during the important years. From a CP perspective- all four limbs are involved, and he has high tone in his torso that makes it difficult for him to sit up, because when he gets excited, his tone kicks in and it flattens him back out. He also has significant spasticity in his legs, particularly in his heel cords and hamstrings. That is something that in the USA might be treated with a medicine like Baclofen, which would allow him more flexibility. He’s very affectionate and easygoing, and constantly tries to get up and move around like the other kids. He just really needs a family to help him reach his potential!
Tatumn
Girl, born January 2002
She has moderate mental delays
What a beautiful smile!
Currently Tatumn lives in school orphanage. She is very friendly and easy-going.
Cambria
Girl, born January 2005
Anophthalmos (absence of eyes)
What a sweet little girl! She is walking independently.
Married couples only, large families welcome!
Update June 2013:
Don’t let Cambria’s pictures fool you. She is happy and full of life. Usually, she is stuck in bed for her own safety, as the nannies are afraid she could fall or run into something and hurt herself. When I took her out, she was able to walk, run, and dance to the music playing on the TV in the room. She loves dancing! She started laughing when I clapped my hands in front of her face and when I sneezed. She is an absolutely angelic little girl. While I do believe she has some institutional autism, she would be a joy in any family, and with love and proper care will thrive.
Update March 2014:
Although she mostly lays around because she cannot see, she walks and dances; she loves music. She is extremely gentle, and sensitive to noises. She loves to be swung around and rocked gently, and that also makes her giggle.
Zoey (Becky)
Girl, born November 2007
Congenital cytomegalovirus infection, Profound mental delays, Other paralytic syndromes (CP), epilepsy, Microcephaly, Coloboma of optic disc
Sweet love needs a family, or she’s destined to a life lying in a crib. She has a host of needs; a family will need to be well prepared — but she deserves the chance to bloom!
Maiya
Girl, born 2006
After-effects of early organic affection of the central nervous system in the form of intelligence deficiency, atactic syndrome (epilepsy).
She does not talk, only makes sounds; fulfills simple tasks.
Maiya has a sunny smile, doesn’t she? She’s waited long enough — let’s help her find a family of her own!
Jenny
Girl, Born October 2009
CP and Tetralogy of Fallot (heart condition)
Sweet Jenny is waiting for you! She is almost 3 years old, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was born with cerebral palsy and a heart condition, for which she has already had surgery. She is not able to sit on her own, and will greatly benefit from a loving family, medical care and therapy! If she is not adopted, she will remain bedridden for life.
More photos available. Married couples only. Large families and older parents welcome.
Francesca
Girl, born February 1999
Affection of the central nervous system, spastic low paraparesis, myopia, hip dysplasia, mental delays
What a lovely young lady — she’s waited far too long for a family.
Please help find her family before she ages out (at 16)!
Additional photos available. Married couples only; travel required.
Tyler #4-5
Boy, born 2002
Down syndrome
Tyler has waited 10 years for the opportunity to have a family and he is now FINALLY registered for adoption. He needs a family that will look past his age and see all that this little boy can be under the guidance of a loving family.
Tyler has experienced many transitions in his young life. He was placed in an orphanage after birth, sent to a horrific mental institution at age 4, removed from those conditions and placed in a different orphanage at age 6 and then finally moved into a group home family style orphanage at age 7, where he still lives today. In the group home, he is learning daily living skills, basic academics and self-help skills. He eats from a spoon and is learning to feed himself proficiently. He loves water and enjoys playing in the bath tub. He likes to watch TV and to sit on the back patio and watch the dogs walking down the street and the cars passing by. He will call out to the dogs when he sees them. He also enjoys going for walks in the community. He enjoys playing with musical books and toys. He follows verbal directions and says a few one and two syllable words. He knows the difference between familiar people and strangers and enjoys receiving individualized attention from adults. A teacher comes to the group home to work with him and other children on educational goals.
UPDATE 2014:
This joyful 11-y.o. boy wi is still waiting for his adoptive parents.
He is a radiant and sociable child who loves interacting with adults. He also has preferred adults which is a significant indicator that the child is capable of forming a relationship of attachment.
Merida
Girl, born May 2003
Bilateral hearing loss, right-sided hemiparesis, cognitive delays
What an adorable young lady!
Large families welcome, travel required.
Kellsey
Girl, born May 2008
Microcephaly; Coloboma of optic disc; Hypoplasia and dysplasia of lung; Ventricular septal defect; Convergent concomitant strabismus; Mixed specific developmental disorders
“Kellen” has been renamed — this is actually a GIRL! Let’s find this little love a family 
Kellsey is in a region that typically waives the 10 day wait after court. Updated picture on left from summer 2013 – she looks great!
*** This child has significant facial features of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome). This is a cautionary disclosure to better prepare our potential adoptive families. Families considering this child should research the challenges that can come with this condition. You can learn more about FAS here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_syndrome and post to our Facebook group to ask other adoptive parents about the challenges and blessings of children with FAS. ***
Quinn
Boy, born March 2005
Congenital hydrocephalus; Coloboma of optic disc; Other paralytic syndromes (CP); Disorder of brain, unspecified; Dislocation of shoulder joint; Atrioventricular block, first degree
Quinn is 7 years old — let’s help him find his family. Every child deserves a loving family to call their own.
Elias
Boy, born August 2011
inflammatory diseases of central nervous system; Congenital hydrocephalus; Other disorders of optic [2nd] nerve and visual pathways; Carrier of viral hepatitis B
What a sweet baby Elias is!
Elias is in a fast region that often waives the 10 day wait. Married couples only, travel required.
Additional photos available.
Aven
Boy, born June 2009
Dandy-Walker syndrome; hydrocephalus; Hypoplasia and dysplasia of lung; Atrial septal defect; Congenital subluxation of hip; chronic viral hepatitis B without delta-agent; Convergent concomitant strabismus; Bilateral inguinal hernia; Tetraplegia, unspecified
This little boy has a laundry list of issues, but I’m confident there is a family out there who will be able to look at this picture and see a child, their son.
Large families welcome, travel required.
Waniya
Girl, born October 2007
Cerebral palsy; Mixed specific developmental disorders; Coloboma of optic disc
Waniya (pronounced Wa-NEE-ya) — a Lakota (Sioux) name that means “breath of life.”
Waniya is a gem; she needs a family to reach her true potential.
Daisy
Girl, born March 2005
Epilepsy; Other paralytic syndromes (cerebral palsy); Microcephaly; Coloboma of optic disc; Severe mental delays; intracranial injury
Daisy is a sweet flower who needs a family to really blossom! Otherwise, she’s destined to a life in an institution.
From a missionary who visited in August 2014: What a sweet sweet girl. She is vision impaired but she can see her bottle coming from the other side of the room! She gets very excited! She is fed a puree diet from a spoon, she has a very good appetite. She is hard to photograph as she moves her head a lot but she is so beautiful! Such amazing brown eyes.Her smile lights up the room! She stands with assistance and can even take a few steps. She can vocalize lots of noises. She would be such an amazing daughter to a lucky family.
Vijay
Boy, born December 2007
Congenital hydrocephalus; epilepsy; cerebral palsy; Convergent concomitant strabismus; Optic atrophy
Vijay means “Victory” and we are all hoping he will find a family where he can thrive. That would be a victory, indeed! Please help save him from a lifetime in a crib.
Large families welcome, travel required.
Brenna
Girl, born December 2007
Microcephaly; Other congenital valgus deformities of feet (duck toed); Coloboma of optic disc; Severe mental delays; strabismus; paralytic syndromes (cerebral palsy?)
What a cutie! And what a world of different a head of hair would make for her, she needs to be in pigtails!
Update March 2014:
Very sweet and energetic little girl, eager to play and interact. She definitely has cognitive delays, and does not speak but functions within the preschool type setting classroom of her groupa. She communicates by pointing and making sounds. She appears to have something like hemiplegia CP affecting the right side of her body, causing a big of a drag in her leg as she walks, and causing her arm to be stiff on that side as well. She’s a happy little girl and very cute.
Cecily
Girl, born January 2007
Mixed developmental disorders; congenital malformations of ribs; Coloboma of optic disc; strabismus; Mild protein-energy malnutrition
Cecily should be getting ready for kindergarten, not an institution!
She has some facial features of possible FAS, but this is not documented and is only a cautionary disclosure.
Update March 2014:
I LOVE this girl!!!! She is so poised and smart and sweet and totally impressed me when I would interact with her. She’s very formal and polite when she meets new people, but as soon as she would go back into her classroom, she would be playing and laughing and giggling with her friends. She and Cara are friends and play together often. She’s a very typical kid, and often took a leadership role when playing with the other kids. One day, she was playing with my daughter, doing some kind of pretend play, and it was quite fun to watch! She’s in a groupa that does a lot of preschool type work, and and is set up like a classroom so the kids come home with more age- appropriate skills. Our just-turned-3 year old daughter knows how to work puzzles, hold a crayon/pencil properly to write (and is showing pre-writing skills already), understands the concept of counting, etc- not the “norm” for orphanage life! So, kids from this groupa will likely come home knowing how to play appropriately with toys but also prepared to learn in a school-type setting as well.
Girl, born May 2001Kinley
Girl, born April 2001
Down syndrome
Sweet Kinley, she’s never has really had her picture taken before, but she’s trying! It’s apparent she’s in need of dental work, and either glasses or surgery to help her vision.
Kinley could be adopted with Rania, Gracelynn, and/or Emmalyn.
She’s already waited so long, let’s find Kinley her mama!
Gracelynn
Girl, born December 2002
Down syndrome
Well, doesn’t this little pixie look like a spit fire? Those deep brown eyes are gorgeous!
Large families welcome, travel required. Married couples only. Gracelynn could be adopted with Rania, Kinley, and/or Emmalyn.
Sabin
Boy, born October 2004
HIV-infection, IV clinical stage, no signs of AIDS, biochemistry test is good; congenital hydrocephaly (shunting); myatonia disorders; disco-visual nerve subatrophy; myelinic cone fibers; hypertrophy of palatine tonsils; two anomalous chords of ventricle; biliary dyskinesia; slight mental delay with minimal behavioral disorders, night enuresis, organic emotional instable disorders. Probable FAS.
He is said to be very careful and orderly, so he is probably a kid who does very well with routines and structure. He is also described as very helpful.
Abner
Boy, born December 2009
Diagnosis: after-effects of general disease of the central nervous system (neuroinfection); spastic tetraparesis with strong motor disorders; general mental delays, including speech underdevelopment; undescended testicles; shortcut frenulum of tongue; convergent squint
UPDATE DECEMBER 2014: ”Abner is a happy little boy who does not speak but whose facial expressions are easy to read. Those expressions are generally of joy, especially when he is given love and attention. Occasionally I would see a different expression, one that would break my heart. At 5 years old Abner is spending a lot of time in a wheelchair, unable to participate in playing with the kids around him, and the look of “I want to play too!” on his face broke my heart. When he had the opportunity to participate in playtime he always looked very happy and proud of himself. This sweet little boy needs a family who will be able to help him to reach his full potential!”
From a volunteer who visited with him in July 2014: “Abner has been transferred from the baby orphanage to an institution. He looks fine for now, but I wasn’t able to personally interact with him because of the nurses. He has quite a normal size for his age, compared to the other children in his group. I’m not sure if I was able at that moment to make a sane judgement call about that, but compared to the others he was doing quit well physically. I hope someone will take him home before he has to get worse. I’ve seen most of the children in that facility get worse through the years, so please, someone go get him!
Katrina
Girl, Born December 2001
Oh what a miracle, to have an updated photo of Katrina!!! And there is the light I knew had to be there! She doesn’t realize it, but now that she has a profile here on Reece’s Rainbow, Katrina has a CHANCE…a chance for a new life, a family of her own, to get out of these four walls and to have something to smile about.
From her medical records: Down syndrome, significant cognitive delay (coupled with FAS), flatfoot, partial atrophy of optic nerves, esotropia, secondary cardiomyopathy.
From a missionary who visited in August 2014: ”Katrina is such a clever little munchkin. She mimics lots of different things, massage therapy, diapers changes, hammering in nails. Pulling faces the whole time, she is hilarious! She loves cuddles and once she has you she doesn’t want to let go. She still drinks from a bottle. She can walk. She cannot talk (yet). She can be a bit rough at times (scratching / hitting / pushing) so would be better in a family with bigger kids. She just wants to be loved. ”
From a missionary who visited with her in March 2012: Oh my heart…I so wanted to bring her home! She is a giggly soft hearted darling…she needs a mama!
From a family who met her, summer 2014:
Katrina was sitting in a stroller both times we saw her but I know she can walk. She seemed very happy to sit and listen to music during a concert for the orphanage, and she looked over at us with curiosity a few times. Her eyes are gorgeous. She was super cute and smiley, also calm and entertained when we saw her.
She was one of the girls selected for the group home, and the individual attention and instruction should really help her transition into a family! Even though she is getting better care right now, she would make even more progress in a real home. She needs a family!
Katrina and Tania can be adopted together if a family is approved and interested. 10 day wait often waived here. Married couples only, larger families welcome.
Eric
Boy, born Dec 2008
Eric is a smiley little fellow who likes to feel his caretaker’s heartbeat or pulse, because it comforts him. He would be a wonderful little brother in a household of older children.
Eric has arthrogryposis and compensated hydrocephalus. He has had a surgical repair of spina bifada. Overall, he is healthy and would do well in a family without smaller children. His upper body is quite strong and he has full use of his hands, fingers and arms, but he has little control or movement in his lower limbs and they are significantly smaller than his upper body. He can squeeze very tightly with his hands, and reach a full arm’s length with no problems even though his resting position is the one you see in the pictures. He does not talk, according to the caretakers but does make sounds to communicate. Cognitively, he has significant delays due to his history of spina bifida and hydrocephalus. He is very much still an infant in many ways.
The picture in the orange shirt was taken at age 18 months, and the second picture was taken at 3 years old. He may have a sister a few years older in a different region who possibly could also be available for adoption or he could be adopted separately. She also has special needs.
James LA
Boy, Born May 2011
CO-A
Sweet baby James! Healthy besides his Down syndrome, and waiting for his forever family. Full medical and social history available.
- Single heterosexual parents may adopt
- No family size restrictions
- Both parents must travel to the country and stay until completion of adoption — approx 5-7 weeks (one parent may leave after a week or two)
- Estimated total cost $21,000-24,500
- Multiple unrelated children may be adopted together
Warren
Boy, Born July, 2010
PRC
Blind and cleft palate
This resilient little boy was very small and weak at intake and was diagnosed with cleft lip and palate and blindness when he came into care at approximately 2 months old. The orphanage decided to move him to a therapeutic care facility in a different city to receive more specialized treatment. Once there he gained weight quickly and after just one month his overall health and development improved.
Warren is now able to sit in a baby seat, hold his head up for several minutes, and turn over without help. He smiles when played with or his name is called, and he can hold a toy and grab a hand. He likes to kick often too, and his arm and leg development is reported to be good. He is now an excellent eater and is not picky with food. His caregivers are hoping to schedule him for cleft lip and / or palate repair surgery soon. Further assessment on his vision impairment is needed. This child needs a family that has experience with vision issues, access to appropriate resources for vision impaired children and cleft lip and palate services and resources, and understands the social impact of blindness.
Kade #16-2
DOB: 2002
Diagnosis: Down syndrome, asthma
2014 UPDATE: Kade was moved out of an institution and into a group home in 2014. He is described as sensitive, with alert look, inquisitive, willful, contact and adaptive to the group. He is oriented in his immediate social environment and in the scheme of his own body. The fine motor skills are developed and all main motion skills have been mastered. He understands and carries out all commands and makes attempts to pronounce some words. He is very energetic with great desire for all kinds of motion games, and is well coordinated and purposeful. Kade feeds himself, dresses himself, and is completely toilet trained. His favorite activity is to listen to music and dance and he shows off on all festivities. His expressive and impressive speech is poor and he has limited vocabulary but he pronounces conscious syllables and words. He imitates objects from everyday life when they are mentioned. He likes to help to take care of the other children in the institution. He is interactive with the other children from the group. He can start playing with any toy. He draws by imitation within the limits of the paper. He likes to play with stuffed, musical and mechanic toys and he uses them according to their purpose. He can play for a long time with them.
Photos and videos from December 2014 are available through the agency.
Kade is currently living in a mental institution but is doing very well. He is attending school in the local village. His gross and fine motor skills are well developed. He colors inside the lines, feeds and dresses himself and is toilet trained. His expressive and receptive language is developed. He answers to his name, follows directions and repeats the names of objects. He participates in games and seeks out contact with other children. He enjoys playing with stuffed animals, musical toys and mechanical toys.
His play is appropriate. He is impulsive and will get upset if he doesn’t get his way. However, he is not aggressive toward himself nor toward other people. He has a short attention span and will often give up easily when an activity is too hard and ask to do something else instead. Kade is described as calm, inquisitive, headstrong, sensitive and communicative.
Update from Feb 2013: Kade is toilet trained, feeds and dresses himself, says some words, follows directions, and is not aggressive. He attends special education classes taught by teachers who come to the institution for instructional time. He is active and enjoys playing outside and staying busy. He enjoys the attention from the staff and will act silly to get them to pay attention to him. We have several current photos and a video of him. In the video, he is playing on playground equipment, following directions, joking around with staff and making funny faces at the camera and you can hear him say a few words too. He is living in a mental institution, but he is well cared for and doing quite well.
Madden #61-1
DOB: 2004
Down syndrome
Madden is doing very well! He is physically healthy and has never had any medical concerns. Like most children with Down syndrome, he’s physically small for his age. He weighed 34 pounds on his 7th birthday.
Developmentally, Madden is delayed. He can walk and has good gross motor skills. He is talking and can say words and use simple sentences. He knows and pronounces his name and the names of the other children and care givers in his group. His articulation is not always clear. He is receiving speech therapy.
Madden is described has having difficult with focus and attention. He follows directions and is very compliant with the teachers and staff when given encouragement and positive feedback. He is learning a variety of life skills, including dressing himself, brushing his teeth and making his bed. He enjoys playing with toy blocks and trucks. In September 2011, he began attending a daycare center to assist him in learning appropriate social skills and to help integrate him into the local community.
More photos available.
Andrue #16-4
DOB: 2004
Andrue was raised by his birth family until he was 9 months old. At that time, he was hospitalized for genetic testing and when the diagnosis of Down syndrome was confirmed, he was left at the hospital. He was then transferred to an orphanage and later on, to an institution for children with mental disabilities, which is his current home. He walks, climbs and catches a ball. He likes to play with stuffed animals and has one favorite stuffed animal that he carries around with him. He reacts to his name and follows simple directions. He pronounces some syllables and attempts to communicate, but his speech is not yet developed. He smiles when spoken to and enjoys cuddling with familiar adults.
Kristopher
Boy, born September 2004
Cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia, mental delay, epileptic syndrome, crossed eyes.
Look at the bright smile on this handsome boy! Kristopher has cerebral palsy and is cross-eyed, but would do so well in a family of his own!
Update from someone who met him in summer 2013:
Kristopher is one of those wise old souls. He is very intelligent and loves it when adults come and visit him. He’s also quite the charmer – the head of Child Services for the region was so charmed with him she gave him a life-sized stuffed crocodile for a present! Kristopher loves his classes at the orphanage and always strives to please the teacher, and he has many friends. He also loves music – one of the other missionaries let him play with her harmonica the first day and every day after that he asked for “the thing that blows”. He has some strabismus and gets around well in his wheelchair. The director would love for a family to adopt him, and she says he would do well.
Update March 2014:
This kid is awesome!!! He’s a very healthy weight, quite strong in his upper body (which appears to be not affected or just minimally affected by the CP), and although his spasticity in his legs is obvious, he still is able to stand from sitting in the wheelchair, and walk while pushing the wheelchair. He rolls his own wheelchair, however, since the chair he is in is too big for him, and not designed to be self-propelled by the rider, he has to lean very far over one side to reach the wheel. For those familiar with CP- his heel cords are tight and feet are pointed downwards. He has very little ROM in the right foot, but some in the left. He legs are “scissored”, with the right pulled slightly over the left, indicating involvement of the adductors in the spasticity. He has tightness in his hamstrings. Without a full medical exam and some PT, I don’t know how much is just spasticity or whether it could be contractures- but even with those restrictions, he is still able to stand and walk some. His torso seems strong and his neck does as well. He is a very sweet boy- a bit shy and quiet in his responses at first (although he grinned and giggled the entire time, very pleased with the attention), but smart as well. He very, very, very much wants a family- in fact, he is the one who heard we were there for our daughter, and found the director and begged her to bring his family to him as well. He has great motivation to walk and move around, and very much wants to be a typical boy, but without the medical care for his CP, his options here are limited. He is about the height of a typical 8 year old, but solid in weight. He interacts well with the adults and children in the groupa, and seemed very appropriate (not overly affectionate or engaging) when he met new people. He frequently looked to the familiar adults for confirmation that it was ok to talk to us and preferred their attention (which is good news when it comes to transferring attachment to a new family). He is an adorable little guy with an engaging grin that just lights up his eyes, and he very much would love to have a family of his own.
From a family who met him in Dec 2014: He is eager to have, in his own words, “a mama and papa from America!” He is a very happy and sweet boy. He works one on one with a tutor. He enjoys the other children and music time, and was always trying to hold my hand.
Kristopher can be adopted with Collier, Dylan, Cambria and Tatumn. He and Collier are in the same groupa.
Ulysess #46-2
DOB: February 2004
Diagnosis: Down syndrome, Chronic pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis first degree to the left kidney
Ulysess is considered significantly delayed. As of March 2011, he was not independently walking. He can pull to a stand, walk while holding someone’s hand, walks behind push toys and climb in and out of his crib on his own. He holds toys in his hands and plays with them. He enjoys music and smiles when someone sings to him. He does have some sensory issues and will often hide his head in his hands. He demonstrates some auto-aggression by hitting the side of his head with his palm. He has frequent kidney infections and it is possible that he experiences pain from his kidney condition that effects his behavior.
Tania
Girl, born August 2002.
She is said to be independent and active, and she especially loves to swing. She is shy with other children, and seeks attention from adults, cuddling up when hugs and affection are available.
From her medical records: Down syndrome, esotropia, flatfoot, secondary cardiomyopathy.
From a missionary who visited in August 2014: “ she is full of energy, she’ll keep you on your toes. She eats very well and can feed herself. She can walk, run and jump. She doesn’t talk but she makes sounds. She is very boisterous and on the go, she needs big brothers in her life! ”
From a missionary who visited with her in March 2012: One time the care giver made her sit with other children she was so desperate for me all to herself shecried! she really didnt want to share me. This is seriously one child who wants a Mama! She seemed so bright, there is so much potential here being wasted. She whacked the other children to keep them away from me but I could tell she was not an aggressive child. Tania is fiesty and able and just desperate for love! I loved her!!! I wanted to bring her and Katarina home. Tania is always active and she loves playing with her swing set, unlike the other kids who rather just play with their toys. The child is a bit shy around the children of her age. However, she is very brave and courageous when dealing with new visitors. The girl suffers from a lack of motherly care and gentleness, so she is attracted to everyone who is nice and kind to her. She hides her lonely soul behind the wall of her active and independent lifestyle. But as soon as she receives a warm hug and a little love, the mischievous girl suddenly becomes docile and calm.
Larger families, older parents welcome. This region does often waive the 10-day waiting period!
From a family who met her, summer 2014:
Tania is such a tiny little cutie! I can’t believe she is still waiting! She was also a good friend of one of our boys. Every time he sees her picture he will call out her name.We saw her with the other kids from her home at a concert at the orphanage. She was watching everything and danced to a few of the songs. She was the size of a petite five year old, but proportionally small, not too skinny. Her hair is just starting to grow out and is so pretty. She waved and smiled at us a couple times while we were there with our sons. When everyone walked back to the homes after the concert, she got mixed in with our group as her caregivers were pushing wheelchairs and going more slowly. When our group pointed back to where her group was, she turned and walked back very agreeably. She had no trouble walking the fifteen minutes in each direction. We didn’t hear her talk, but she did seem to understand what the caregivers were saying.
She would do so well in a family. The home she is in now is more of a family setting with fewer children and more individual attention, but it is not the same as a real family and they can’t stay there forever. It will give her a great head start to transitioning to a family though!
Harriet
Girl, born March 2007
URGENT: FACING IMMINENT TRANSFER to the INSTITUTION
Harriet has a cleft hard and soft palate. She has many facial features of fetal alcohol syndrome, please research this condition as a preparation for her needs. There are several children in this orphanage who could be adopted together!
From an adoptive family who visited with her in Jan 2012:
Troy
Boy, born September 2003
mild mental delays
Troy has been transferred to the local Internat. He is listed as having a mild mental delay. (His eyes look odd here because of the red eye reduction used on the photograph.)
Troy does not speak, but understands speech addressed to him.
Troy could be adopted with Sammy and Garrett.
From a family who met him in 2012:
The profile says he is non-verbal and that is true, he did not talk at all while I was there. However he was extremely gentle, kind, and had a very sweet demeanor. I took bubbles one day and all the kids mobbed me wanting to play, Troy just stood there patiently smiling at me and waiting his turn. I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. He would sit next to me at the table and would stare very sweetly at me and when I would make eye contact he would put his arms out to give me a hug. I do not know about his cognitive ability because I just did not get to spend enough time with him but he did understand the instructions he was given by his teacher and care taker at the boarding school with no problems, obeying them and following all their instructions (with a smile on his face). Physically he had no problems. I do not know if his lack of speech is due to trauma or an actual inability to form words. I will absolutely never forget how gentle and loving he was, he lives to be hugged and he loved what little one-on-one attention I was able to give him. He was so patient and kind to the other kids. A family would be blessed to have this precious boy as their son!
Megan
Girl, Born October 2002
Praise God for a new photo! Isn’t she BEAUTIFUL!? This beautiful girl is waiting for her forever family. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She was born with Down syndrome, and is positive for Hep B.
Marla
Girl, Born March 2007
FACING IMMINENT TRANSFER!!!
Poor sweet Marla …she was born with severe CP. She has a loving personality, but is completely immobile on her own. She is facing transfer soon and will remain bedridden the rest of her life if she is not adopted (
From her medical records: Congenital malformation of the CNS: microcephaly, spastic tetraparesis. Can not walk. Does not speak.
Married couples only, older parents and large families welcome, travel required. More photos available.
Brittany
Girl, Born April 2005
SO THANKFUL FOR A NEW PIC OF BRITTANY! She looks wonderful!!!
Brittany is a beautiful girl with striking blue eyes. Brittany has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She is able to walk and speak some, but she is quite delayed. She will so benefit from having a loving family of her own.
From someone who met her: