Meet Kimberley

Kimberley is an adorable 7-year-old in a country that I love in Latin America.  (A country that Elim has sent teams to work in.)  A family recently adopted a little girl from there.  Is it believed that she was be the first child adopted from there with Down syndrome.  Another family is in process right now for a little boy with Down syndrome.  Wouldn't it be great if Kimberley was next?  

According to her Reece's Rainbow profile:

Girl, born Feb 2007
Down syndrome, congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism. Mental delays.

Report dated 2010

Kimberley is predominantly cheerful.  In the orphanage the girl is described as a sociable, smiling, loving, quiet girls, who enjoys being with other persons. Her sleep is normal. She enjoys eating pretty food, so the orphanage gives her vegetables, eggs, iron, etc.. However, they still give her vitamins and avoid foods with lactose.

Her communication is usually through gestures, cries and guttural sounds.  General gross motor and fine motor delays, common for a child with Down syndrome.

She participates in group activities and plays in partnership with other children.  She is cautious with strangers but she adjusts quickly to their presence.

I can't help but wonder how much progress she's made in the last four years and how much more she would make with a loving family?  

These are the requirements to adopt from her country:

• Single women or married couples, age 25-55
• Couples must be married 2 1/2 years
• Both parents, one trip of 4 weeks
• After the adoption finalization and new birth certificate, one parent can go home early (about 2.5-3 weeks); one parent remains for final visa exit interview and new passport
• Approx 9-12 months from dossier submission to travel
• No set restriction on family size
• Parents with mild mental health history may be considered on a case by case basis
• Two unrelated children in the same orphanage can be adopted together
• The agency seeks Christian adoptive parents
• Total cost approx $27,000 (additional child, add about $5000)

As you can see, the costs of international adoption are high.  Grants through Reece's Rainbow and other organizations help offset this cost.  Every purchase you make will help this little girl's future family.  Maybe that family is even you!