Down Syndrome, 10+ Girls

Nancy loves to give hugs! All you have to do is open your arms out and this sweetie jumps right into them and snuggles in for a long hug.

She gives thumbs ups, is speaking a few simple words, and blows kisses. She needs help getting dressed, but puts on her own shoes. She has started potty training. She is good at imitating and her caregivers describe her as sweet and engaging.

Nancy needs a family of her own. Anyone’s life would be brighter with Nancy’s hugs in it! Additional information and photos can be found in this blog post.

Sweet Lianna was sadly abandoned at the age of 3 years. Upon entering the institution Lianna was not able to talk and this has not improved since. It is stated that Lianna likes class and helping the aunties.

Lianna could really benefit from a loving forever home that is able to see all her potential and be able to love her for exactly who she is.

Everlynne is an adorable little girl who is 5 years old. She came into care when she was 18 months old. Everlynne has Down syndrome, with no known heart or other health issues. She is part of a foster family, and loves having a big sister to imitate! When her foster sister is doing her homework, Everlynne picks up a pen and wants to learn to write, too. Everlynne likes to sleep late (8am), and runs to check on the chickens in the coop every morning. She is a very helpful little girl. Everlynne loves to ride the tricycle, and especially loves to dance. She has a good imagination, and likes to take photos! Everlynne gets along well with other children, and is very close to her foster mother. She has been part of a family, and is now ready to have a family of her own.

Davina came into care when she was about nine months old. She understands concepts like inner and outer, left and right. She can count to two and speaks in short sentences. She can eat with a spoon, wash her hands and dress herself. Davina is an energetic little girl who gets along well with others. Her favorite toys are balloons and toy cars.

Marianne is a sweet and beautiful young girl, born with Down syndrome in 2010! Marianne is hoping to find a forever family who loves her unconditionally.

VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-marianne1
Password: Adoptmaa

An update from 2016: Rhiannon is a quiet, tiny girl, who appears quite small for her age, and very thin. She has a heart condition, which she has not had surgery for. The nannies say she eats a normal amount, so they are not sure why she’s so thin. When agency staff visited in April 2016, she sat up very stably and was alert, frequently nodding her head and rocking. Caregivers say she doesn’t often reach for toys, but she will react when the nannies make faces or tickle her. She can stand up with support from her nanny under her hands. In the baby walker she can move around very quickly! She will scoot around on her bottom as well to get around, but doesn’t crawl yet. So far she’s not babbling, just making sounds. She does turn to sounds as well.

Magnolia was found abandoned when she was around 13 months old. She has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome and post-operative congenital heart disease (VSD). A color ultrasound of her heart is available with her adoption file.

Magnolia can run, jump, walk backwards and forward, and climb stairs up and down. She can throw, catch and kick a ball. Her hands can move freely and are flexible. She can eat with chopsticks and spoons, and drink with a cup. She can paint and enjoys reading picture books. She loves to play with blocks, listen to music and watch cartoons. She can understand some words and use simple communication to express her needs. She knows where things are and can help her foster mom find her shoes. She has been described by orphanage staff as being introverted and attached to her foster mom. She enjoys playing by herself and watching other children play games, and she attends kindergarten.

Emma is an adorable girl! She is described as happy and enjoys playing with other children.

The agency has photos to share at the appropriate point in a family’s adoption process.

Bria is a cute little girl, born in summer 2012 with Down syndrome and strabismus. Bria likes people and likes to have the attention on her. Her attention span is rather short. Bria has significant motor delays and uses a wheelchair to get around. You can see her in action in her videos.  The agency has additional information; please inquire to learn more about making this adorable little girl part of your family!

https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-bria
NEW VIDEOS:
https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-briaupdate
https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-briaupdate2
https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-briaupdate3
https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-briaupdate4
https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-briaupdate5
https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-briaupdate6

Password: Adoptmaa

Bria has a $2,500 agency grant for her adoption with the agency who listed her; additional agency grants may also be possible.

Little Chloe is diagnosed as having Down syndrome. Chloe can walk without help. With one hand held, she can go upstairs. She is cooperative when putting on clothes and knows how to play with blocks. Chloe can chew food well. She can understand the simple request of adults and can follow simple directions or requests. Chloe’s motor skills and intelligence development is delayed compared to other children her age. She can imitate adults to say simple words and actions. She makes good eye contact with her caregivers and visitors. Chloe can wave goodbye to people as well. We hope she’ll be waving hello to a very patient and loving family soon!

Lillie is 4.5 years old with a rosy complexion. She is described as active and bright with a ready smile. Lillie is very social and loves to play. Her verbal skills are not very strong, but she can say “Dad” and “Mom” and some short phrases. She can understand simple things that adults say.

Dimples! I just love babies who have dimples! Kerry is doing wonderful. She is beginning to walk and loves cookies. Kerry loves music, being outside and playing games. The agency has a video available.

Updated early 2021:  She is in good health. She can speak simple words but also uses gestures. She is less proficient in language than her peers with Down Syndrome. She can follow directions. “Although she is not a good singer, she enjoys music lessons.” She likes to draw, dance and play with friends. She is cheerful, obedient, and affectionate.

Temple is a precious little girl who has Down syndrome, with excellent gross and fine motor skills. Temple was not a good eater, and they are working with her to improve her nutrition (this was in her file from when she was 3 years old). In her file, there is a description that may well be a bad translation, but the agency loves it. Under “Personality”, it say Temple is “relentless”. Perhaps, strong-willed is what they meant. But a relentless, adorable little girl will do well in life, for sure! Temple is not fond of being awakened to eat, but is typically a very happy little one. She loves to be held and hugged, Temple is a delightful little girl who will bring such happiness to your family!

Emma has Down Syndrome, but is otherwise a healthy girl. She came into care when she was about 3 months old and joined a foster family when she was two. She likes to play with her foster family (she has 3 foster siblings) and is particularly close to her foster mom. She attends a special school program, and can now speak a few words. She likes going to school and smiles often.

Jilly and Justine are beautiful sisters! ** Photos are available for serious inquiries, from the agency **

Jilly was born in July of 2007 with Down syndrome. She has been receiving occupational therapy and attends special education classes. Jilly is a cheerful and active child. She can complete activities when motivated and can focus when playing and singing. Jilly can fold her clothes and organize them in her cabinet. She can also make her bed and do other simple household chores, such as cleaning her room and stacking chairs. Jilly can perform basic self-care activities, such as combing her hair, washing her hands, and brushing her teeth. She can toilet independently. Jilly loves to hug her caregivers and other children!

Justine was born in 2008. A psychological assessment in 2014 noted her to have a learning disability. She underwent another psychological assessment in 2015 and the results stated that her intellectual capacity is above average. Justine was enrolled in a regular school and was noted by her teacher to have good leadership skills. In 2017, Justine was recommended by her neuro-developmental pediatrician to attend special education classes, where she will be given individualized learning instructions tailored to fit her needs. In 2018, Justine attended mainstream school and completed 2nd Grade. Justine enjoys singing and dancing. She can easily make friends, but easily gets upset when she is teased or when her toys and other personal belongings are taken away from her. Justine is attentive and loves to talk and take part in conversation. She enjoys outdoor play. Jilly and Justine are aware that they are sisters and would love to be adopted together. Justine’s concept of adoption is having a new family that will take care of her and her sister, Jilly! We know there is a wonderful family out there for Jilly and Justine!

There is a $3,000 agency grant for Jilly and Justine’s adoption with the agency. Jilly and Justine need a family with an approved home study to be able to hold their file or move forward with adopting them.

Jennie is described as caring, active, and social. Her file states that she can walk, stand, and go up and down stairs without assistance. Jennie can also maneuver around barriers, such as a hurdle, and she can kick a ball. According to her file, she can scribble drawing, put away objects, and follow along when her caretakers read to her. Jennie’s file shows that she can follow simple instructions, enjoys babbling to her peers, and can call out words such as “hello” in a soft voice. She enjoys laughing out loud when being teased and will kiss her caretakers face

UPDATE November 2015, from her caregivers: Shaena is outgoing and lively, but sometimes stubborn. She gets along well with other children. She is very attached to her nannies. She still needs assistance with dressing and other care needs. She is not potty trained, still in a diaper. She sleeps very well, she’s a good eater, and she attends preschool.

From an update 2/2015: Shaena can play well with blocks and she can dance to the music. She can avoid obstacles when pushing carts and she can reach things by standing on her tippy toes. Shaena gets a little aggressive with others when mad. She is healthy, strong, and in good health. She can understand some simple instructions like “give me the paper in your hand, do not climb, sit well, eat”, etc. Shaena can crawl down the bed very quickly and she can walk by herself for a while. She can stand up after falling over and can climb well. Shaena can hold small tiny things and can pull the rope by changing hands. Shaena can pick up and throw balls. She will ask to be held when adults walk by her and she knows if she is being criticizing or praised. When praised, she gets very happy! When you point out her mistakes, she will cry. Shaena’s favorite things to do are imitate, eat, and dance.

When Meghan first entered her institute she had poor physique and digestion but under the nannies care she gradually improved. When she was 4 years old she was receiving some education, motor and language training. She crawled quickly and could stand and walk with support. She was extroverted and smiled a lot. She liked to play with friends, understood simple instructions, knew the names of body parts, could call “mom” and waved her hands to express “good-bye.”

In May 2018 it was reported that she could walk and run on her own. She used a spoon to feed herself, could follow simple instructions and could play with toys alone. Her intelligence was said to be delayed and although she couldn’t yet speak in full sentences she could say simple words like, “thank you” and understood other people.

Update & video available from 2019: Meghan is said to be an active and cute girl who likes posing for pictures! She enjoys going out to play and interacting with other children. She can kick and bounce a ball, walk freely, feed and dress herself, dance, sing, and string beads. She understands her teacher’s instructions and imitates well. Meghan likes to interact with people and expects someone to take her out to play.

Meet Lydia! This sweet little one has been in care since she was a baby. She will turn 6 years old in March. Lydia has Down syndrome, with no known heart issues. While Lydia has had the expected delays, her motor skills are very good. It seems she can really pitch a ball well! Her speech, although initially delayed, is coming along nicely. Lydia loves to play with her friends, and really looks forward to giving the nannies a hug! She is well loved by the staff. Lydia needs a family, and the opportunity for a good education so she can reach her full potential.

There is an agency grant of $6,000 toward agency fees for a qualified family. Lydia is waiting for you!

Felicia is a beautiful little girl with a darling smile, born in February of 2012 with down syndrome. Felicia loves to play and is said to be lively and friendly. She is not a picky eater and likes a variety of foods. Felicia enjoys playing with rubber balls, colorful toys, and listening to music. Felicia is a happy little girl and we can’t wait to see what family is going to be so happy they said yes to this little sweetheart!

There is a $1,500 agency grant for Felicia’s adoption with a specific adoption agency.

Orphanage staff say Eliza is very friendly and cheerful. She does not express herself well verbally but does know some words such as “mom” and “dad”. She tends to communicate in other ways such as patting her stomach to show she is full so the staff do not have trouble knowing what she needs. Eliza has good motor skills and is always very active. She loves getting to run and play hide and seek! She is also able feed herself and likes to color or draw. She enjoys getting to play with blocks and puzzles and she especially loves teddy bears. Everyone who works with Eliza agrees that she is a wonderful little girl!

Beautiful Cassidy is described as outgoing, active, and clever girl who very much enjoys dancing and music. Cassidy is said to be very girly too! She loves to have her hair styled and she will look into the mirror to admire the hairstyle. Her update from 2019 highlights her communication skills. She can connect two words, such as “thank you” and she can also say words like mom, dad, aunt, eat, etc. When she sees rain, she will say “It’s raining!” She can makes sounds and say words, though not clearly. Cassidy understands all instructions and she can count to 10. She can walk, run, hop, go up and down stairs, and climb on her own. Cassidy enjoys playing and building with blocks, splashing around in the bathtub, and watching cartoons and singing/dancing shows. She loves to imitate songs and dances she see on tv! Cassidy can toilet independently, but she does sometimes need a little help getting clean. She is a good eater and can eat and drink by herself. Cassidy can put on and take off her shoes, but she does need some assistance with dressing. She can wash her face, but doesn’t like brushing her teeth. Cassidy needs adult assistance with teeth brushing. She is said to be a good sleeper. Cassidy has a cheerful personality, she loves to laugh, and can be silly at times. It’s hard to understand why Cassidy has waited this long for a family. She has some pretty great grants available for her adoption too. It is our hope that Cassidy is home to celebrate her next birthday with her forever family!

January 2022 Update:  Heidi is a spunky, loving, mischievous girl with Down syndrome who has really come out of her shell in recent years. She understands and speaks her native language and knows some simple English too. Her speech can be difficult for new people to understand, but her friends know exactly what she is saying. She would benefit greatly from speech therapy.

Heidi received Barbie dolls both for Christmas and her birthday and this is her absolutely favourite thing to play with. One of her Barbies has a purse with a little dog inside and she carries it everywhere. She sings to the dolls and takes care of them.

She is continuing in her classes and loves art where she has all the freedom to work out her own projects, showing her creativity and love of independence. Heidi is making progress with spelling simple words and learning addition. She is independent in her self care routine. She is such a funny girl who brings so much joy!

February 2020 Update: Heidi is a spunky, loving, and mischievous little girl. The sweet presence this girlie brings is a light to anyone’s day. Heidi attends in home classes everyday that includes English, math, art, and life skills. Heidi can understand and speak both he native language and most simple English sentences. Her speech might be difficult to understand for someone who does to know her, but her friends and caregivers know exactly what she is saying, and she is never too shy to tell you what she wants! She would benefit greatly from speech therapy. Heidi loves to write words, and she can write three to four letters words. She is able to do simple addition problems in math and is improving her skills! Heidi enjoys spending time with her friends, making crafts, listening to music, and hiding her toys all around the house to create games to find them later! Every night you can hear her quietly singing and playing with her baby doll on the porch. The people in Heidi’s life see how much she would thrive with a family. She hopes and prays for a family every night.

Sweet Adalia is 12 years old, and weighs 44 pounds. Agency staff met her in 2011, and still … she waits. She is in desperate need of a family. She must be adopted by her 16th birthday, or she will be un-adoptable! These photos are from March 2019.

Adalia is able to crawl and can stand with support. Her caregivers say that she refuses solid food, so she only eats food that is very watered down. Her favorite toy is a rocking horse. There is a video of her crawling over and climbing up to rock for a while. The nannies note that she does not interact with those around her and does not follow directions. Adalia receives some simple therapy in the orphanage and the teachers there work with her as well.

What Adalia needs most is to receive the one-on-one attention that a family could provide and the unconditional love of her very own mom and dad.

She has a $3,000 grant with her current agency.

Gabi has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. She loves attending the pre-school at the orphanage, but she has struggled with learning basic concepts such as numbers, letters, etc. However, with more one-on-one instruction, it is believed that she can and will learn. Gabi is well-liked by the other children at the orphanage. She is also a favorite of visitors who come to visit. Gabi can sometimes come across too strongly in her attempts to get attention, but she truly is a delightful little girl!

Lillian loves being held so that she can pay close attention to everything that is going on around her. She does not walk or speak yet, but can kneel down and crawl around independently. Lillian also can make sounds when she needs something. She still has weak chewing and swallowing skills so eats mainly milk and rice paste. She can hold her own bottle. She loves to smile and to watch people talking. Lillian also likes to be teased and held by her caretakers. She is ready for a family of her own!

Lucina came into care when she was 2 years old. She is doing very well! Lucina has Down syndrome with good motor skills. She is able to imitate words, but her speech is not very clear. Lucina had rickets, and they have improved her diet to help this. Lucina loves to slide, and is very serious about riding the rocking horse. She is a favorite of the other kids in the orphanage, and she loves them all, too. Lucina needs to be able to let her hair grow…a rocking horse…hugs…but most of all, she needs a family!

Update: Lucina’s motor skills are good and her speech is coming along. She can scribble with crayons and wash her face. She sings along with her teacher. Lucina is toilet trained (using her country’s traditional toilet) but wears a diaper at night just in case. Lucina loves to play with the other kids and loves for her teacher to give her hugs!

Adorable Hope Eloise is a delightful little girl. She has a sweet, and gentle disposition. Hope eagerly engages with familiar people and is often smiling or letting out a big belly laugh in delight. But she’s no push over! If she sees a toy she interested in she’ll quickly go after it. Hope was born with Down syndrome and is delayed in all areas of development. She has a heart defect that was successfully repaired. Hope often has a smile on her face when she is listening to music. Her caregivers cherish this little girl who affectionately gives them hugs and kisses.

We can only imagine the joy Hope Eloise will bring to the right family!

Rosalia seems to be doing very well! Her caretakers say she is a very helpful, adorable and happy little girl. Rosie is a fast learner, smart and active. She loves her teachers and going to class. She likes to play with my friends and play with the ring toss, blocks and balls.

Elsa is just adorable! She is incredibly charming, and sweet. Elsa has Down syndrome with the expected delays, but was walking at 2 years old. She has no known heart issues. She lives with a foster family, who have made sure she has a good diet, plenty of fresh air, and all the hugs she wants(she likes warm hugs)! Elsa is ready to let it go and have a family of her own and will waste no time in wrapping them around her little finger.

Cherlin was diagnosed with congenital heart disease (VS, PDA, OSD) and had successful surgery when she was just an infant. Her heart is now healthy. At age seven, she was described as sunny and active. She is able to do daily tasks (toileting, eating, brushing her teeth, folding clothes, etc.) independently. She runs fast, colors inside the lines, likes dancing and performing, has a good sense of rhythm, and remembers actions correctly. Her communication is good and she understands adult instructions. She is able to draw a circle and count to ten.

Georgia is a quiet little girl who loves to be held. She is in good spirits and has a good appetite. She can grasp for toys, turn her body over and raise her head. Although she is delayed developmentally she is a very happy little girl.

Daniella is described as an active and bright girl though her intellectual capabilities are behind that of her peers. She can use simple language, but cannot speak whole sentences. Her caretakers believe she has the intent to speak but is unable to do so clearly. Instead, Daniella often expresses herself through her actions. She enjoys listening to children’s songs and being read short stories. Daniella can run and enjoys body rhythm training where she is asked to do movements that imitate different animals. She can feed herself, put on her shoes, and clean up after herself. She is not potty-trained and must wear a diaper. Daniella gets along well with her caregivers and peers in the institute. She enjoys watching TV and playing house (i.e. cooking, cleaning).

Hannahlee is a beautiful little girl! Hannahlee’s medical showed a heart murmur, but further tests showed no problems. Hannah has the delays expected with a child who has Down syndrome. She is making progress, and her nannies work with her every day.

Hannahlee is a thoughtful and sweet girl. Her overall health has been good. She enjoys playing in the play room, and likes stuffed animals. Hannahlee’s nannies all hope she can find a loving family. We do, too!

Hanna has Down syndrome and was abandoned as a newborn. Hanna has a big smile and is described as an active little girl. Since being placed with a foster family, she has made progress in her language, physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Hanna is not a big talker, but she understands and responds to her teacher. She can use the bathroom, get dressed/undressed on her own, throw and chase a ball. Hanna likes to care for other children and comfort them when they are sad. Could this sweet girl be your daughter?

Update: 5 year old Hanna is an absolute doll! Agency staff were blessed to meet her in September of 2015. She is in foster care in the orphanage village on the orphanage grounds. She attends school in the orphanage, where she is in her 2nd year of kindergarten. She likes to play with toys and help put chairs away at school. She is friends with all of the kids in her class. She loves sweet dim sum, crackers, and cakes. Hanna likes playing with the sports equipment, especially balls. She is toilet trained.

Hanna was sent to the orphanage in 2014. She had a scar on her neck when she came- the orphanage is not sure what it was from. She is super cute, smiley, flexible, and very friendly! She laughed happily and is always excited to see new people. She offers toys to new friends and is good with sharing. She is not at all aggressive. She only makes noises and mimics. She has a couple of simple words, but is not totally clear. Hanna loves to dance and has good gross motor skills. She has good fine motor skills as well and can string beads. She is independent with her care- she can dress and undress herself and feed herself using a spoon and a cup. Hanna is high functioning for a child with down syndrome. She is a very happy and loving girl who will bless some lucky family so much!

Haile is such a lovebug! She gets along well with her foster family and is always showing compassion. She can take care of herself and follows directions well. Due to her Down Syndrome, she is delayed in language but she can express her daily needs. Haile is a quiet girl, and she loves singing, listening to music, and dancing. She is a creative child and loves to draw. She plays well with others and has a great appetite!

Precious Daia is described as a very happy girl who loves playing with her nanny. She also likes to play alone, especially with musical toys, picture books, and a favorite toy truck. She knows when she is called by name and is able to communicate when she needs help. She is said to adapt very well, but is afraid of strangers. Her favorite foods are fruits and her favorite activity is listening to music. At the time Daia’s file was prepared, she was babbling. At that time, she could also sit alone, crawl on her hands and knees, and stand with support. Daia was able to feed herself and throw a ball. At times she was impatient and would cry if caretakers didn’t tend to her, but she was said to be easily comforted.

At the time her file was prepared, Daia had not had heart surgery. As of October of 2016, Daia was attending a preschool class and was said to adore her teacher. She could follow simple instructions and loved dressing up! Caregivers said she was very shy. Sweet Daia needs a family to love her forever and help her get the medical care she needs.

Clarabelle is a sweet girl diagnosed with Down syndrome. She likes to draw, and her artwork is said to be very abstract. Caregivers say she is considered to have an introverted personality, but she plays exceptionally well with other children. Though she is not in school, the orphanage reports that they are teaching her using “play learning.” Her heart sounded normal to a doctor visiting with our staff. Clarabelle can feed herself, and helps caregivers with basic tasks like picking up trash.

More photos available.

Cheyenne is an active and very optimistic girl. She loves to sing and dance and is a very happy child. She loves playing piano and is capable of doing many things on her own, such playing and eating. She can communicate well, although sometimes must speak slower for strangers to understand her. She loves all types of food and is not a picky eater. Could this precious girl be the joyful addition your family needs?

Short update, early 2021:  She can say some simple words like mother, father, brother, teacher. Her cognitive ability is better than her peers with Down Syndrome who live in the same family. She gets along well with the children at home. She enjoys playing with blocks and family games. Her personality is gentle, but she is lively when she plays.

Hazel is an adorable little doll! She has been a part of a foster family and enrolled in a sponsored school called the Grandma program. She is able to go up and down stairs by herself, skip and stand on one foot. She can draw lines, knows big and small, can button and unbutton her clothes, and wash her hands by herself. She is said to be fond of imitating, listening to music and playing with toys. She has a ready smile and gets along well with others. Her favorite activity is watching TV, and her favorite toy is a rag doll. Hazel is ready to be the joy of her new family!

Sweet, adorable Kennedy is a “girly-girl” who just needs her family! Kennedy has Down syndrome as well as CHD that was repaired in 2011. Kennedy now lives in a family home with 4 other children. She is excited when seeing others and will run over and hold their hands and walk with them. She loves to sing songs and help her teacher hand out snacks. She can walk and run, and walk the balance beam. She loves to “play house”, helps others, and has good self-care skills.

Precious Lina has Down Syndrome and entered the orphanage when she was about 3 years old. She is very timid. When she does not get a toy, she will cry loudly and will cry out, “Mama, it’s mine” to the nannies. When she gets a toy, she will smile at the nannies. When she’s sleeping at night, she will lie down on the bed and wait for the nannies to say, “Lina, we are going to sleep and we are going to turn the lights off, be a good girl!” She will smile and nod her head then close her eyes and go to dreamland. When she feels wronged, she will run to the nannies and say, “Mama, Mama” and the nannies will comfort her and pat her head and say, “Good girl, don’t worry about it.” She will then run over to the children and continue playing. When she sees other little children with a runny nose, she will help them wipe it and then smile at them.

Libby is a joy! She is 4 years old, quite a spunky kid, and a born entertainer. Libby has Down syndrome, with no known heart issues. Her motor development has been good, with some delays in her speech. Libby loves music, loves to “sing”, and was born to karaoke! She is social, happy, follows directions well, and is ready to charm her new parents. Libby is waiting!

Beautiful Leia! This sweet little lady has grown and developed well over the years. Leia is a friendly girl, eagerly greeting those she knows. She does have some wariness among strangers, though. She has good self-care skills, including feeding herself and washing her hands. She helps with simple chores, and also speaks in sentences. Her favorite thing to do is draw. Staff reports that she has a great capacity to learn. At her facility, Leia receives therapy for language and motor skills twice daily.

UPDATE: April 2016 Leia is a pretty girl who was very eager to come play when our staff visited in April 2016; she hovered nearby while they talked with other children trying to patiently wait her turn! She is diagnosed with Down syndrome, and they learned from staff that she had surgery for a heart murmur in 2014. They observed nystagmus but the caregivers report it doesn’t seem to affect her vision in daily life. She also has some facial paralysis on her left side, but this was already the case when she came to the orphanage so they don’t know the cause. She was very focused when playing with the toys, and quickly figured out the stacking cups. She did fairly well on the shape sorter, though sometimes she had to try a few times to find the right match. She needed to be looking directly at the lid with the shape holes (straight on) in order to use it. She receives lessons at the orphanage, and is able to point to some colors when asked, but can’t yet count. She tries to put words together in sentences, though her speech isn’t clear. She gets along well with other kids, and loves to hold the babies!

Lauren loves to play with the older children. She is active and stubborn. She likes some animals and likes to watch tv. She understands adults and after reminding her a few times each day, she is very cooperative. She sleeps well through the night.

Additional information available. She is surrounded by people that love her and children who loves to play games with her. They wish Lauren all the best and hope she will lead a successful life and live happily ever after.

Chloe is a playful and happy girl! Staff report that “Chloe fills every room with laughter and joy. She loves to play, socialize and have fun in all aspects of her day. Chloe is the youngest member of her community group home, and she is very loved by all her older sisters and caregivers! She is a very social girl who enjoys spending time with others. She is able to express herself through use of gestures, simple phrases and sentences. Chloe is friendly, greeting those she knows with a big smile and hug! She also displays confidence and has been observed introducing herself to new people and is willing to spend time with them. She is caring and will make sure that all of her friends are included in any games or activities that are taking place! She can be a bit mischievous – she has been caught several times sneaking into her sister’s room to eat snacks with a big smile on her face!”

“Chloe is independent in most self care skills throughout the day. At times, her caregivers will supervise her to make sure she is completing a task correctly like dressing. She enjoys mealtimes and can feed herself with a spoon. She can brush her teeth and toilet independently. She loves selecting her own clothes and wearing pretty dresses! Her caregivers report she will change clothes if she prefers to wear something else over what has been selected for the day. Chloe attends a special school outside of the Project and Welfare Center. She attends school 5 days a week. Her classes at school include fine motor activities, exercise, language, art and self care skill development. Despite some difficulties with focus and concentration, Chloe has shown she has an ability to learn and is making progress in her subjects. Chloe loves many activities, especially if she can do them with other children or a carer. She enjoys dancing, singing, playing games with her sisters, watching stories on TV, going for a walk or to the playground, drawing/crafting, and having her picture taken! Chloe LOVES all things girly including dresses, painting her nails, and sparkly headbands.”

There is a $1,500 agency grant for Chloe’s adoption with her current adoption agency.

Esther is an outgoing little girl who filled the room with her own high-energy sunshine when our staff saw her on a trip. Everything she saw delighted her- the giant rolling balls, brightly colored pipe cleaners, blocks to stack. She has Down syndrome, and seems to have good motor skills; she can run and jump, but her verbal skills are currently limited to “mama,” “baba,” and some expressive syllables. However she will also use gestures to express herself, and understand directions from her nannies.

This curious little girl likes playing on the playground and enjoys all sorts of toys. Her nanny told our staff she’s very good at imitating what others around her are doing. When they sit down to rest, she will pat their backs, and if other children are crying, she will comfort them with a cuddle. Her self-care skills are good, she can feed and dress herself. She has had surgery for a heart condition, and the doctor with our staff didn’t hear any murmurs.

There is a $4000 Child Grant that may be available to families through the agency.

Update (age 7): Sweet Erica is as cute as can be! Erica is a cheerful girl who loves to play – she plays well with other kiddos, but she is just as content playing on her own with some building blocks. She always looks at her creation afterwards and is so proud! Her nannies tell us she also loves to get her picture taken. When she sees someone with a camera she gets very excited and begins to pose for a picture – it is very cute!

Erica walks a bit slowly, but she can walk, run, jump, and go up or downstairs without any problems. She can say a few words and can understand what adults say to her. Her limb function appears to be normal and she can put on her shoes, socks, and pants on her own. Please help Erica find her forever family!

Gabriella has Down syndrome and had surgery for congenital heart disease (VSD). A recent echocardiogram was normal. She came into care when she was a baby and joined a foster family in 2014. She gets along well with her foster family and is especially close to her foster father. She brings him his shoes when he arrives home from work and plays games with him. She can say a few words and knows how to greet the neighbors politely. Gabriella is a curious little girl who likes to play outside and gets along well with others.

Dori is described as extroverted, affectionate, cheerful, lively, and smiley. Her file states that she loves to talk, but her speech isn’t clear, she can say simple words like mama, thank you, and she can make sounds. Dori’s file states that she can walk and is good at imitating. Her file says she likes watching tv, listening to music, and dancing. We have been told that Dori is attentive and will clean another child’s face is their nose is running and help with chores. Her file indicates that she blows kisses and says goodbye to her caretakers.