Amy Castle, Holt’s administrative social worker for the China program, recently visited a new orphanage partner for Holt in China. Very few children at this orphanage have joined families through international adoption, and many of them are older and some have manageable special needs. Below, Amy shares about her experience meeting these children, including seven for whom we urgently need to find families!

I visited this orphanage in March 2017 to prepare a few older children that Holt had matched with families for their adoptions. I had a very good impression of this orphanage from the beginning of my day there. The administrative staff seemed to know the children well and they were so pleased I wanted to visit. The orphanage director allowed us to use her office to video chat with the children’s families in the U.S., and she was also very interested in the older child adoption preparation books I brought with me.

But the most excited I saw her was when we presented a child with his family’s photo album. This was the first time this child learned he had a family, and I remember the sweet look in her eyes as they flipped through the album together. She spoke to him while he looked at the photos, and later my translator told me what she was saying: “Look, here are your new parents! They look so nice! And this will be your new room! Aren’t you excited?” You could see the excitement on the child’s face and it was a sweet moment to witness.

As my time in the orphanage concluded, the director said to me, through a translator, that she was so happy these older children have families. She has watched these children grow up from the time they entered the orphanage as infants, and now at 13 years old they will finally have families of their own. I left the orphanage feeling so hopeful for the other children living there, that we would be able to find families for them as well. I know the orphanage staff has that same hope, too.

These children need families!

Below are eight children at that orphanage who are getting older and closer to losing their chance at being adopted. They have watched many of their friends go home to adoptive families in China and are starting to get discouraged. Could you or someone you know be the right family for these children?

NOAH — Born Aug 26, 2009

Noah is deaf and received a cochlear implant in 2013. He became happier and more active after the procedure, and he has been attending a language training school for children with cochlear implants. Noah is described as a smart boy who adapted well to his new school. He gets along well with others. Noah very much wants to have a home with his own parents and siblings. Enjoy his photo — he lost a tooth!

Learn more about Noah!

TOMAS — Born May 4, 2005

Tomas is described as a patient boy who likes to help others. No special needs are reported in his file. Tomas likes music and sports, especially soccer. He came to the orphanage as a baby, and in 2010 he went to live at a foster care facility. This facility can be difficult to get information from. We do know, however, that Tomas gets along well with his foster family. A video is on file!

Learn more about Tomas!

CHARLESTON — Born March 1, 2006

Charleston had surgery for cleft lip and palate and he has intermittent exotropia. He is described as a nice boy who is good at studying. He received full marks in math this semester! Charleston also likes sports and running. He gets along well with the other kids in his care center. Charleston hopes for a family of his own, and would like siblings to play with.

Learn more about Charleston!

NYOMI — Born Aug 22, 2007

Nyomi is described as a lovely and sweet girl. She came into care when she was about two months old and had surgery for congenital heart disease (Tetralogy of Fallot) in 2010. Nyomi is well liked by her caregivers and teachers. She likes to help take care of the younger children in the orphanage and gets along well with other kids. She would like to have a family to live and play with.

Learn more about Nyomi!

SHANE — Born May 5, 2006

Shane has cleft lip and palate, which have been surgically repaired. His pronunciation is clear and no further treatments are expected for his cleft. He is now a healthy 11-year-old boy who longs to have a family with siblings one day. Shane’s personality is described as open, big-hearted, curious and energetic. He lives in the orphanage and attends a public school, where he earns average grades. He gets along well with other children and has five best friends who he likes to hang out with. He is curious and observant, paying attention to details and new things. He is a talented painter and is learning martial arts– please watch his video!

Learn more about Shane!

SAM — Born Oct 6, 2004

Sam is an active boy who likes sports and running. He is missing a toe and his development may be a bit delayed. He attends middle school, and he likes reading books and playing games like Chinese checkers and chess. His best friend was adopted recently and he hopes someday a family will come for him also. He would like to teach his adoptive family to speak Chinese. Sam urgently needs a family to come forward for him before he ages out of the adoption process on his 14^th birthday.

Learn more about Sam!

BRAXTON — Born July 1, 2004

Braxton has had surgery for congenital heart disease and crossed eyes. He came to the orphanage as a baby and went to a foster care facility in 2010, where he gets along well with his foster family. This facility can be difficult to get information from. Described as a shy and patient boy, Braxton is good at studying and likes English and calligraphy. Braxton urgently needs a family to bring him home before he ages out of the adoption process on his 14^th birthday.

Learn more about Braxton!