Editor's Note: The country where this waiting child resides does not allow names or photos of their children to be listed on the internet. Photo is of a similiar child who is now at home with her family.

I was born early last September. I'm Nalima.....OK , I'm not Nalima but it's a pretty name and although my real name is pretty too, they tell me I can't use it here. Sooooo, for now I'm Nalima. I live in a very nice place with friendly and nice people and they take good care of me. They feed me, they take me to the doctor (too many times though) they hold me, they love me and they let guests come and visit me. Recently, an Aunty and Uncle came to visit me and they stayed for a few days. They said they wanted to be sure to get to know me and my friends very well. The Aunty said she would do her best to find me a family who would love me even more than the nice people here. I would like a family to be with me every day and night. That would be great.

The American Aunty says that my development is good. When people play with me I giggle. I like to giggle. I can roll over both ways and my head control is good. I'm full of smiles and I think new people are interesting not scary. When they play with me, it makes me smile. I like to smile and I like to play. Aunty uses big words too much and I don't know what they mean, but she says, “I'm socially responsive and involve myself in reciprocal interactions”, I think I've got that right. Do you think I might sound like that some day? She says everything about me is good but that I'm eventually going to need some surgeries once I get to my family. I'm kind of mixed up about the things that make me different from the other babies here. I do notice when they change diapers that my skin is really different. I guess that makes me even more special but I don't understand this at all. My AA (American Aunty) will tell you all about it for me.

This little girl was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (CMN) . Unfortunately this covers a significant portion of her lower body and her back side. On her front, the nevi cover her from her waist area to the middle of her thighs. On her back, they start higher up and extend down below her buttocks on the right side and almost to the top of the back of her knee on the left. She also has smaller patches on her upper back, her arms, head (pretty much hidden by her hair) and tiny spots on her legs. In addition, she has a patch on the top of her cheek (under her eye) on the right side of her face. The skin of these patches is dark black and on her thighs it is covered with black hair. In reading the research, it appears that there is a risk of degeneration to malignancy. This is apparently however quite uncommon in prepubescent children ages 0-7. Here are a few web sites to help you begin to understand this medical condition. Please if you are interested; discuss this topic with a dermatologist. http://www.nevus.org/home/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=2

Now I know that the above is a daunting description but I urge you to try and understand that I do not consider this to be a description of this baby. The baby warms you with her smile and I forgot very quickly that her medical issue was an area of concern for her. She's is a beautiful baby and if only I could share a photo of her sweet face you would agree with me instantly. At this point in time, we are looking for two things for Nalima. We are looking for a family to love and support her and we are looking for support families who have experienced parenting children with this issue.

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I guess that you now know almost everything about me. Here are the last few things I can tell you that might make you want to love me. I adore being held and cuddled. I'm soft and a bit round and I fit right into the curve of your arm. I like to look right into your eyes and I'll be happy to “talk” back to you if you talk to me. I eat well, I sleep well and I like toys a lot. I'm just about perfect in so many ways.

Teri Bell (alias Aunty), LSW , MA

Americans for International Aid and adoption

For information on this little one please contact: Moti Irani at Americans for International Aid and Adoption 248 362-1207

Moti can also be reached by email at: barb@aiaaadopt.org