Country Information
We at Bethany Christian Services have the privilege to work with children around the world with special placement needs. The following is information about the types of waiting children in many of these countries.
China has a very unique program for placing children with special placement needs. The children's needs greatly vary and referrals are matched to families at various stages of the adoption. There is an ongoing need for families!
Colombia has many school-aged children and sibling groups. Most of the children have been abandoned, neglected, or malnourished and brought into protection for these reasons. Some children had parents who abused drugs or alcohol. There are also younger children who have moderate to significant needs.
Ethiopia has a lot of school-aged children available for adoption who are fairly healthy.
Ethiopia also has many children, young and older, who are HIV-positive. With medications and proper nutrition, these children can live long, healthy lives if they are adopted into loving families.
In Haiti, most of the children have been abandoned and come into the orphanage system very malnourished and weak. There are young and older sibling groups, and very young children with moderate special needs. Some of the children are HIV-positive and some have genetic disorders or syndromes. They are well cared for in the orphanage.
In Hong Kong, the children have significant special placement needs. About half have Down syndrome. Others have non-correctable medical issues, genetic disorders, or syndromes. Older children with a history of neglect and sometimes abuse are also waiting to be adopted. The children are well cared for in the orphanage.
Lithuania has children with various needs. There are many school-age sibling groups who come from a history of neglect, malnourishment, and sometimes mistreatment. Many of the children’s parents have abused alcohol. There are also younger children who have moderate needs, such a spina bifida and cerebral palsy.
In the Philippines, there is a small group of children who wait for families. Most of the children are of school age and have moderate cognitive delays. Children who are blind and/or deaf are also waiting to be adopted.
South Korea has children who have minor, correctable to moderate needs. Most children are very young. They live in foster homes and receive very good care.
Bethany staff are committed to help train and prepare families for children with special placement needs. The staff will help find resources specific to the child’s needs. They also connect families to support groups and other families who have adopted similar children.