With every trip to the orphanage, I’d see him again. The first time we met, he smiled from afar. Now, he runs to greet me and holds my hand and asks me how his friends are doing who have been adopted. I wondered why he still waited. Yes, he’s older. But, why would he not have been adopted sooner?

 

His file was never ready.

Babies and peers were made paper ready for adoption. But, he waited. When we visited, I asked if we could evaluate him too. He’s smart, I told them. He is warm and friendly, sweet with other children. Why not prepare his papers and see if a family would want to make him a son.

But, he’s so old, they said. And, his eye is not right, they said.

But, they did it.

Now, close to being too old to be adopted legally, he’s finally been made paper ready. When I shared with one of the directors the good news that his file had finally made it to America and that he might have a chance now, he sent me these words:

Z is a smart, lively, cheerful, kind, respectful, considerate, so handsome, handsome, boy! He has had some healthy problem, same age has a certain gap. But, his language development and intellectual development is basic as same age children. I take Z to my home for the weekend and to children’s park with friends and for family party. He will take care of others, not only will take care of himself. Everyone notices how he is considerate and takes care of people. For this, my son envies him! In my house, he gets up very early, has to tidy up the bed, then sweep the floor, mop the floor, and clean the house. He does it all cheerfully. He also helps me pick vegetables and wash the dishes. He bathes himself and sets his underwear and socks aside to dry up. In outdoor activities, when I barbecue, he will stand beside me and fan me and wipe the sweat from my face. His self-discipline is very strong, very obedient. He doesn’t let himself do things he shouldn’t do. At any time, even at the time of playing computer games, if he is told to stop, he stops to accept instructions (generally, even when urged many times, children ignore parents’ instructions when playing games!). Z himself is very willing to be adopted by a family and wants a home!

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Z is listed as special focus which means that any family, regardless of if they are paper ready themselves, can commit to adopting him. If you are interested in reviewing his file, please contact waitingchildren@awaa.org today.