Over the years, it has been a joy and privilege for America World Adoption to help
find families for children considered hard to place, through our Waiting Children
programs. Waiting children are orphans who have been identified as ready and
available to be placed in loving homes due to an assortment of reasons. These reasons
might include the fact that they are considered an older child, or are that they are
diagnosed with a medical or developmental condition.
China Waiting Children Program
In China, there are waiting children between the ages of 6 months and thirteen years old, hundreds
of whom have their paperwork ready and they are currently waiting for their forever families.
There are boys and girls who are healthy older children or children of all ages who have a medical
or special need. Commonly seen special needs include: cleft lip/ palate, heart defect, hand or foot
deformity, spine conditions, Hepatitis B positive, and hearing or vision impairments. Families can
receive referrals immediately upon entering the program and in some cases can adopt two unrelated
children with one adoption process.
Eastern Europe Waiting Children Program
In Eastern Europe there are waiting children between the ages of 14 months to 15 years.
Many of these children have been prepared for international adoption and are simply waiting their
forever family. Similar to the China program, there are both boys and girls who are healthy older
children or children of all ages who have medical and/or specials needs. Families can review
referrals immediately upon entering the program.
Ethiopia Waiting Children Program
In Ethiopia, the Waiting Children include older children (older than five) with no special need,
children part of a sibling group, children who are HIV positive, children with a hearing or
vision impairment, or developmental delays. As you begin the process of building your family
through adoption, we encourage you to consider adopting a waiting child.
El Salvador Waiting Children Program
In El Salvador, the Waiting Children include boys ages 10-14 and girls ages 12-14, healthy
or with medical needs. Some sibling groups in this age range are available. As you begin the
process of building your family through adoption, we encourage you to consider adopting a waiting child.
India Waiting Children Program
The waiting children in India are boys and girls, ages 1-12 years with medical needs. Some medical
needs we see are: vision or hearing impairments, limb differences or limited muscle mobility, mental developmental
delays, TB and blood conditions. Families who have completed a home study, and America World has registered
their information with CARA (the adoption authority in India), are eligible to inquire about referrals. Any family is
invited to contact AWAA to learn more about how to adopt a waiting child from India.
Kenya Waiting Children Program
There are waiting children in Kenya-boys and girls ages 12 months and older, healthy or with medical needs.
Medical needs include HIV, limb differences, cerebral palsy, heart conditions, developmental delays,
vision impairments.
Honduras Waiting Children Program
In Honduras there are estimated to be around 200,000 children with orphan status. While the orphans in
Honduras are of all ages, most waiting and ready to be adopted are older children (over 6 years of age)
or children with special needs. The children viewed here are referrals which are shared across agencies
and have been provided to America World in hopes of advocating for these precious Waiting Children.
Families interested in any child on this page should inquire with an America World staff member as to
the child’s immediate status and for additional referral information.
