A New Year, New Focus

My heart feels very strongly for orphans, as you should know by now.  I am just one person and certainly cannot bring them all home.  There are some children that I feel drawn to more than others, for example Claudia and Chance.  I believe that they are both meant to be our children and we are working hard to bring Chance home.  There is another child however that I feel very drawn to as well, her Reece's Rainbow name is Anjelica. 

It is not possible for Jason and I to be Anjelica's parents at this time or for the foreseeable future.  You see, her country requires at least one year between adoptions or the birth of a biological child.  Chance will not be home for another year and a half or so, which would mean that IF we were meant to be Anjelica's parents, she would be waiting in an orphanage for two and a half more years before we could even submit paperwork for her.  No child should have to wait that long.  This is why I feel that I am meant to advocate for her and find her a family!

About Anjelica, from her Reece's Rainbow profile:
(Found here http://reecesrainbow.org/4348/anjelica)

Girl, Born 2003

Anjelica was half-orphaned by her mother who died of heart attack. She was then cared for by her maternal grandmother who later died due to old age. With the latter’s death, the custody of Anjelica went to her maternal grandmother’s brother and sister-in-law, who subsequently referred her to the orphanage considering that they are also old with no sufficient income. While at the orphanage Anjelica’s father appeared and signed the deed of voluntary commitment relinquishing Anjelica to the care of the state. Anjelica’s father claimed incapability to provide for the child’s needs.In 2007, Anjelica was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and ventricular septal defect. She also had TB in the same year. She was also as born with Down syndrome.

Anjelica is undernourished and is continually provided with Pediasure milk twice a day to supplement her food intake and improve her weight. She measures 85 centimeters in height and weighs 9.2 kilograms. Due to her congenital heart disease-ventricular septal defect, Anjelica takes lanoxin, aldactone, and furosemide.

At her age she can sit, stand alone for several minutes and make 3 to 5 steps without assistance. She can walk sideways holding on to the rails but most of the time she prefers to crawl than walk. She can hold objects and make actions like clapping, waving good-bye, and do flying kisses to familiar persons. She knows her name and understands simple instructions. She can also feed herself with snacks and drinks in a training cup without assistance. She can say bi-syllable words and uses body language or gestures to communicate what she wants. She easily cries if she does not get what she wants but is easily pacified. She is not yet toilet trained and needs assistance from her caregivers.

Anjelica enjoys and dances to music. She also loves playing with toys and participates in the activities provided by her caregivers. She is also comfortable even with strangers. Anjelica was referred to the Philippine Heart Center and is still under observation by her pediatric-cardiologist.

• One trip of 7 days
• Married couples must be married for a minimum of 3 years
• Singles accepted with special approval from the country
• Must be 45 years old or younger
• Other children at home OK

I would like to first point out a few things.  This information is a few years old so she is likely larger than what is stated here.  We can only speculate on her current condition, she may have had heart surgery by now, could be walking, talking...  I don't know but I am trying to get updated information on her.  Based on this information, she is getting adequate care.  The Philippine Heart Center is a large cardiac center and from what I have read, they do good work there.  She is also getting supplemental feedings to help nourish her.  I hope that these interventions have worked wonders for her.  She had an undiagnosed heart condition for about 4 years, this likely greatly affected her growth during her first 4 years of life.

 

I have seen a picture of Anjelica, it is an older picture but she is adorable.  Unfortunately I am unable to share her picture due to her countries policies.  You can however inquire about her through Reece's Rainbow and get more information from her agency.

 

Poor Anjelica has been listed with Reece's Rainbow for a few years, it makes me so sad because this is the first time I have noticed her.  The children that do not have photos are rarely noticed.  Anjelica was on the Angel Tree this year which is why I took notice of her.  She currently has a grant of $1106.90 available.

 

A few other things that I have learned about her country's requirements: There must be at least one year between adoptions or the birth of a child before you can submit paperwork to adopt a child from her county, which is located in Southeast Asia. The following is a list of further requirements found HERE:

Citizenship: One adoptive parent must be a US citizen.

Age: Adoptive parents must be at least 27 years of age; there must be at least 16 years, but no more than 45 years, difference between the younger adoptive parent and child.

Marriage Status: Married couples are eligible to adopt if they have been married at least three years; single men and women are eligible to adopt children 9 to 15 years old. No more than two divorces are allowed.

Previous Children: Families with three or more children in the home are not eligible to adopt a child younger than 6 years of age; families must wait one year from the birth or adoption of a child before filing for adoption from the Philippines.

Education: Both parents must have high school diplomas; high school equivalent is acceptable.

Health: Medical and psychological conditions or history that disqualify a parent from adopting from the Philippines include:

• BMI over 35
• Complicated Diabetes and/or Metabolic Syndrome
• history of cancer
• major organ transplant
• stroke, myocardial infarction, and/or having a pacemaker
• degenerative muscle disorders
• auto-immune disorders
• any condition that will impede caring for a child.
• psychiatric disorders
• mood or major depressive disorders
• anxiety disorders
• substance abuse disorders
• sexual disorders

Religious Affiliation: Parent(s) must demonstrate a relationship of at least 5 years with a religious or spiritual organization.

Income: You must make at least $40,000 annually in order to be eligible to adopt. (Some sources say that you must only fulfill the USCIS requirements)

Criminal History: Applicants with a criminal history of child abuse, violence or domestic violence are not eligible to adopt.

Please also note that you would need an International Homestudy done by a Hague accredited agency and would need to also meet the requirements of your adoption agency.

 

If you would like to join me, please do what you can to advocate, share her story and if you are able, donate to her grant fund so that it will be easier for her family to commit to her.  You can make a donation directly to her account here: http://reecesrainbow.org/4348/anjelica 

I would love to find Anjelica a home this year!