Archive for August 24, 2015

China Summer Host Kids Return Home Safely

Whew! They made it! All 30 Host children from China made it safely to their orphanages last night. It was not an easy day and please keep the children and their families in your thoughts, as good byes are never easy.

The children arrived July 20th and spent the last several weeks with host families. Many of our host families moved forward with adoption and many did a tremendous job advocating to find forever families. The group as a whole has banded together with a mission to ensure that all 30 children come home this time next year forever! There are just six kids waiting, click here to meet them.

Check out some of the photos of departure day.

It’s All About Siblings!

Our Latvia Winter Hosting program has launched, and this winter, a number of siblings are looking to spend the holidays with a family. Siblings groups are in pairs only (brother/sister, sister/sister, and one adorable brother/brother pair!). If your family is interested in hosting a sibling group, you’ll get a $100 discount on the hosting donation costs for the second child.

3 GREAT Reasons to Host a Sibling Pair

1. Double the Fun!

Why host one when you could have two? A sibling group will give you double the fun of hosting and create great memories for the children to share with each other when they return after hosting.

2. A little family for your family!

Sibling groups are often the hardest to get hosted, so you can help keep a little family together! Sibling groups have often formed strong family bonds with each other and do well forming bonds with a host family as well. Consider bringing a little family into your family this winter!

3. Shared Past for a Shared Future

Sibling groups have often stuck by each other through thick and thin. They come with a shared past, but they can look forward to a shared future with your family. Make some memories with a sibling group, and share this winter holidays with them!

Winter Latvia, Philippines, and China Photolistings Are OPEN!

As we draw to a close on the summer, we begin to look forward to the upcoming Winter Hosting Program that will give a new group of children the opportunity to come to the United States, share the joy of the holidays with a family, and have a life-changing experience. If you’re ready to host, visit our Hosting Photolisting today to meet the kiddos who will be a part of the Winter Hosting Experience!

Latvia Program: To receive full access to the children’s photos, please click on the children’s bios to access our short Latvia Hosting Full Photolisting Request Form. Answer just a few short questions, and we will send you the password to the photolisting for that group of kiddos.

Philippines Program: To receive access to the children’s photos, please contact a Program Coordinator directly at info@orphanhosting.com or call 512-323-9595 ext. 3092 or 3101.

If you’re ready to have the Christmas hosting experience of a lifetime, view our photolisting today!

Summer Host Kids – Need Forever Families

Our Summer hosting program is coming to a close and our kids are heading back to China next week! These kiddos are still looking for forever families! Contact our coordinator today to learn more about these kiddos. Shannon can be reached via email Shannon@gwca.org or phone call 512.323.9595 ext 3101.

Meet Matthew!

Matthew is a bright, outgoing, fun-loving, energetic, eager teenage boy. In the month that he spent with us, he had a lot of “firsts” – first time to ride a bike, first time eating foods from many different regions of the world, first time miniature golfing, first time driving a go-cart, first time picking berries, first time taking care of pets. The list goes on. Matthew was always eager to participate in any activity the family embarked on. Often the activities were simple, such as going for a walk to the park and feeding the ducks, or picking various summer berries either in our backyard or on a trail. Matthew found enjoyment in almost everything. You could tell because he would be smiling. There was rarely a time when our family’s activity didn’t produce a genuine smile. Matthew is an active teenage boy. When there was free time, he wanted to ride his bike, or shoot baskets, play ping-pong, or badminton. He was always eager to try a new activity like throwing a Frisbee or playing catch with a lacrosse stick. He would catch on quite quickly and seemed to be very athletic and coordinated.

Matthew was also very eager to learn. When our kids would sit down to complete a math activity to keep their brains engaged over the summer, he was happy to complete whatever I gave him. He easily sped through some elementary math worksheets. He also especially liked learning English. On a number of occasions he would grab his notebook and write the Chinese and English of the words or phrases we had translated using Google translate. Of his own initiative he would sit almost daily and use Duolingo app on the iPad to learn English. He seemed very motivated and was a quick learner. He very much liked routine. One of his favorites was sitting at night with our family to read. He followed along with the reader. When we would take turns reading scripture, he was excited to be able to take his turn and read scripture out loud in Chinese. He also loved to go daily with his host mom to the grocery store helping ensure everything on the list was purchased and getting to sample the various treats at the local market. He always made sure to help push the cart, carry the groceries, and manage the list.

He was learning what a mom and dad mean in a boy’s life. He mentioned in a letter that he appreciated his host mom when she cared for his scraped knee when he was learning to ride his bike. He enjoyed sitting with his host dad at night to read. He clearly respected his older host siblings and bonded easily with his host brother near in age. He was never afraid of our three animals: a small dog, cat, and kitten. At first he didn’t know what to do with them so he would just sit beside them and watch. As time went on he developed a real enjoyment of the dog and especially the kitten. He would snuggle, play, and care for them. He was eager to ensure they had food and water daily. Matthew tried and liked so many different foods while he was here. I’m not sure we had the same dinner twice the entire month he spent with us, with the exception of hamburgers (his favorite). He loved almost every kind of vegetable and fruit put in front of him and often ate those first before the main course. He happily ate Mexican, Japanese, Indian, Italian, American, and German food. He had a great appetite as evidenced by the seven pounds he gained while with us. The only three things we couldn’t convince him to eat were avocados, bell peppers, and macaroni and cheese. There was occasion to teach or modify his behavior. He accepted direction and correction easily. He wanted to please so it was relatively easy to show him how to properly do something. Natural consequences seemed to be effective as well. Matthew had a habit of racing down the stairs at home. On a number of occasions he slipped and fell. After several times or that it was easy to tell him to walk because he knew what was likely to happen if he didn’t. Matthew liked solving puzzles. He absolutely loved to have Rubix cube races with his host brother often winning. He was also quite adept at fixing bike problems. If the chain came off, or the gear needed adjusting, or the inner tube needed replacing, he would carefully consider what parts needed adjustment or how to put the pieces needed back together. He took responsibility for doing these things.

Matthew would blossom and mature quickly in a family where he has older siblings from which to learn. He would do well in an active family where he can develop his natural athletic abilities either playing a team sport or running cross-country or track. He has some great traits and seems motivated to learn. However, keeping his Chinese language and culture is important to him.

Meet Paul!

Paul is a handsome 9 year old. He was born with Hydrocephalus.
However a shunt was put in at a very early age. He does not appear
to be significantly behind. He is a very curious young man and quick
to figure out how things work. He is a very fast learner. Though he
has not been in school, I expect that he will learn very quickly when
given the chance. He has a beautiful smile and an infectious giggle!
He loves Mickey Mouse! Paul really wants to please. He loves to
help around the house. He likes to help with the cooking. He is
always first to wash his dishes. He also likes to help with the
laundry. Paul loves to play in the water (he does not know how to
swim and is quite cautious). He also loves coloring, using a pencil,
working on a puzzle, playing with cars, looking at books, and
listening to music. Though he was initially afraid of the pets (dogs
and cats), he has acclimated well. He loves to hold the cat. Where
once he screamed at the sight of the dog, he now pats him on the
head and says, “Hi” or “Ni hao”. Paul is very independent. He can
take care of most of his needs by himself. He gets himself dressed,
brushes his teeth, takes a bath, gets ready for bed with very little
help.

Meet Chase!

He is such a quick learner and has already caught on to routines and schedules. He really looks forward to learning even more, he is always asking “What is this called?” Once he gets familiar with his surroundings he is VERY active and curious. He also wants to try everything! He loves watermelon and bananas! Chase loves to play with toys that you can learn how they work and remote control cars seem to excite him! He is always excited to go in the car he likes watching all the big semi trucks and buses! He is for sure all boy! He loves to help little ones, especially the little 2 year old! He already knows English numbers and colors. He truly is a fantastic little guy that would love a forever family with either lots of siblings or no siblings he is very adaptable! Chase is being hosted in Marlyand.

Meet Wynn!

“Wynn” is a confidant, intelligent, outgoing social guy. He is helpful, caring and happy. He particularly loves our dogs and has had no problem integrating into our family. He loves our children who are just a few years older than him and he is a very typical healthy 12 year old child. He enjoys all sports activities, games , and family time. He has an excellent understanding of written mandarin and he has even learned some English in the short time that he has been here. It is his dream to live in the United States and to have a family he can call his own. We are confidant that he will be a wonderful addition to any family!

Meet Sean!

Sean is such an amazing 12 year old boy. He is deaf, but he is so resilient, confident, sweet, incredibly smart, and extremely well-behaved. He is so easy to have around. He picks up on things quickly and you usually only have to show or tell him once. He is very observant and willing to learn. He makes his needs and desires known. He is a good gymnast. Basketball is his preferred sport to play. He enjoys swimming and riding his bike or ripstick. He knows a lot of Chinese sign language and the written language. He is a very talented artist in any medium. He has the cutest laugh and the sweetest smile. He will be an amazing son!

Meet Isaac!

Isaac (which means laughter) is 9 years old and is diagnosed with Nystagmus (which he now has glasses that helps him), and the neurological disorder Schizencephaly . His right side is weak, but he has good mobility in both his arm and leg and it doesn’t limit him much at all. He is staying with a host family in the US and is scheduled to see a Pediatric Neurologist while here. He laughs often and it is always from his belly, making everyone else around him laugh too! He has such a sweet smile and it always shines when you praise him. He has learned to say “good job!” and learned how to give high5’s. He is smart and very curious, active, catches on quickly to things and loves to explore and discover. He is all boy and all about karate (mainly Power Rangers)! His host family has him enrolled in karate classes and he loves it! He also enjoys bike riding, swimming, coloring, anything music, and puzzles. He transitions very well and is very resilient. He competes with kids his own size (around 5-6 years old) and is afraid of dogs, but he is getting much better in both of these areas. He is protective of the host mom and enjoys helping her around the house. He is able to attach to adults and children and enjoys receiving affection. He has come a long way in the short time he has been here and the host family feels he has a ton of potential in the right family! Issac is currently being hosted in Florida.

Follow Isaac’s Journey!

Latvia Interview Trip Ends and a New Adventure Begins

Well that’s it – we survived! All told, Kayley and I probably spent around 6 hours in a car for the entirety of the interview trip. Despite the (literal) bumps in the roads, we had a great time. Our in-country team is wonderful, and we are so lucky to have them supporting our hosting program and kids there.

The big takeaway from this trip is that the children of Latvia are extraordinary. Quite a few of them were able to speak to us in some English, and all were eager to learn. It was the little things that we noticed that were so impressive – when we sat at tables to talk with the kids, they would push the chairs back under the table when they left. They said please, thank you, and were excited to try to answer questions in English (albeit a little shy at first!). We had to convince many of them to take a toy, and for those kiddos who were there with their sibling, they immediately shared. Older siblings took great care of their younger brother or sister – we could not have imagined a better group of kids.

Latvia hosting will be a real opportunity for all of these children to experience life in America. It is a wonderful chance for them to improve their English and spend time with a close knit family who can provide them with some direct love and care. Since most of the children live in foster families, they have experience with a family structure and prepared for some of the transition they will experience through hosting. What these children need is a better opportunity – an opportunity to learn English, get a better education, and improve their future.

The Latvia Winter Photolisting will launch tomorrow, Friday, August 13, 2015. If you’re ready to give these kiddos a chance, contact us at info@orphanhosting.com or start your application today!

China Winter Hosting Photo Listing Now Available

It’s time to begin matching for the 2015 Winter Host Programs. The China Photo Listing is currently available and the Philippines and Latvia are soon to follow.

Contact one of our hosting coordinators today to learn how you can be a part of  our upcoming Hosting Programs.

Updates from the Rollercoaster!

We are on the rollercoaster ride of a hosting trip, and it’s turning out to be a bit literal this go around. Kayley and I have had the pleasure of seeing much of the Latvian countryside as our (super stellar, patient, wonderful!) guide and hosting representative Karina drove us to meet the children around different parts of the country. What we didn’t expect were the back country roads that remind us a lot about the rural parts of Texas. Dirt and gravel kicked up everywhere, and dust flew up behind us as we jostled up and down in the car. I hit the lottery of getting the middle seat, so I had the added benefit of a seat belt buckle in my back for most of the ride! This is the Latvian Hosting Team – we all made it on our bumpy ride.

No pain, no gain – the ride was worth it! We met with a number of kiddos at midday, but one young lady stood out to us. She told us her favorite subject is math, and that when she grows up, she wants to go into something likes statistics. She was quick with her answers and told us that she would love to come to America to improve her English. Many of the children expressed this desire, and most had some understanding of the language but were too shy to talk to us!

After a quick lunch in a picturesque village, we hopped back in the car for another, quite bumpy, hour and a half to meet another group of kiddos. We met an amazingly sweet sibling pair, an 11 year old girl and her 8 year old brother. The sister was so supportive of her brother and they were both sweet, well-behaved, and kind. At the foster home the children stay at, the children offered us the raspberries and cherries that grew in their garden and walked us around to show us flowers that they help to grow! We’ve been beyond impressed by how kind all of the children we have met so far have been – Latvian children are sweet and loving…and very excited to meet American host families! I particularly love them because they told me I look twenty today! Thanks kids!

Our Latvia photolisting will launch for early applied families starting Monday, August 10! Your application must be in to get early access to the photolisting. The photolisting will launch for all families starting Friday, August 15.

Keep following us to see more updates from the Latvia interview trip!

Greetings from Riga, Latvia!

The official launch of the Winter 2015 Hosting Program is underway! Kayley and I (along with our fearless leader, Snow!) hopped on a plane early Monday morning around 8:30 am, and on an essentially non-stop intake of coffees in airports and on planes, we went straight to work when we arrived here in Riga at 11:00 am Tuesday morning. It’s strange to chase the sun around the world but exciting to get to know we’ll be meeting the children who will touch the lives of so many families this winter!

Latvia is a beautiful country, and we have the best guides in Karina and Evita to show us all the historic landmarks and museums. Compared to Texas, the weather is beautiful! The countryside is filled with lush green trees and flowers bloom all around.

We met our first amazing kiddo in a small but bright orphanage with green painted walls and a piano standing in the corner. Caught in the middle of a nap, the sweet little lady we were interviewing came to the table rubbing her eyes and looking at her caretaker for guidance. She told us her favorite movies are Rapunzel and Frozen, and that her best friend lives with her at the center, and they share a room.

After another hour trip, we met a group of girls, including a sweet pair of sisters! The older sister told us that, though she was allowed to pick on her sister, no one else could pick on her! She was a confident little lady who told us that she secretly likes the idea of being someone’s younger sister herself. She’d do great a host family with older siblings to play with! Both of the sisters told us they want to come to America to improve their English. She drew us a cute narwhal photo!

All of the children today spoke English, and most of them spoke very well. They are excited to improve in speaking with their new host families. While we can’t post photos of the children on the interview trip, I can say that any family would be lucky to host any of the girls we met today.

Tomorrow is another full day of riding in the car meeting groups of children who hope to be a part of a host family this winter. Stay tuned to hear more about these wonderful kids and what they hope to learn in America, and contact us at info@orphanhosting.com if you’re interested in our Winter Hosting Program!