UPDATE 9/24/04 A FAMILY HAS BEEN FOUND FOR THIS CHILD. THANK YOU RAINBOWKIDS READERS!

In my frustration to find families for some of the children I care about most, I’ve decided that, on an ongoing basis, I will do my best to represent a few of our waiting children in words I feel these children might use if they had the opportunity.

My name could be Emily or Mary or Katie, if only my family could be found. I know that some very nice people are trying to find my family somewhere in the world but still….I wait. They have taken many photos, videos and asked me lots of questions…but still I wait. Soon, another one of my friends will leave our children’s home to join her new family. I’m happy for her and her family, really, really I am, but now I’ll have fewer friends to help me wait. I know I’m older, I know most families want to adopt babies but I’ve seen photos of other children my age who are now with their new families so, why not me? Maybe I’m not pretty enough, or smart enough or chatty enough. I really don’t know why I wait, except that I’m 10 ½ years old. If adopting parents knew how much I wanted a family maybe then they would choose me.

I’ve been lucky, I like living here and I’m happier than I have ever been. I’ve only been here for about 10 months but I like the people here better than in my first children’s home. I started first grade in my last children’s home but I never finished it because I came here. I’m in school now and I’m learning in English. When the Aunty from America comes to visit I get a bit shy using my English but I do try. Her English sounds quite different than my teacher’s English however and so I don’t always understand her when she talks. Each time she visits it is easier to understand her. I’m a bit shy so it’s harder to try my English but my teacher says I’m really doing well. I do study and practice the things I learn and it is pretty fun. I get smarter every day. Here we learn by rote and I know long lists of things like domestic animals, wild animals, fruits and vegetables. I know songs and children’s rhymes and all of this is in English. I can count past 100 and back again. I know a lot more than this but it gives you a good idea.

It’s funny, I know I’m shy at times but the one thing I like to do is to dance. When I’m asked to dance I love to show off a bit because everyone seems to think that I dance well. It’s fun to see their smiles and applause. Here is what I like. I like the younger children here and I try to help them when I can. I like to draw and I like my weekly Yoga lessons. I like my room mother and my teacher (although she expects lots from me and she makes us listen and work hard, she’s strict). I like learning. I like playing with my friends and although I’m shyer with adults, I can be noisy when we all get together to play. I have made many friends here but not many of them are waiting for families. I’m different as I don’t have any family at all and they do.

I’m a good kid, I really am. I wonder when I will have a chance to be part of a family?

Teri L. Bell, LSW, MA

Waiting Child/Program Coordinator

Americans for International Aid and Adoption

info@aiaaadopt.org

248 362-1207