Ibra -- 11 yrs old. . . .

Ibrahim

Waiting is such a huge part of life in Burkina Faso!  But, waiting in lines, waiting at the traffic light, or waiting for a strike to be over does not compare to the waiting for the heart-felt need of a child to have a family.

Ibrahim is an 11 year old boy who has been waiting for many years now for a family.  He is a boy who got lost in a broken social system that for many years did not even think that he was adoptable.  He has been passed from home to home and then from center to center by well-meaning people just trying to find something that would work for him.

But still, Ibra is waiting for his Forever Family!  Do you have room in your heart for a young boy?  As you can see in the picture, Ibra likes to dabble in art.  He loves to play the drums.  He is bright and engaging yet has struggled greatly in school because of the instability in his life.  He used to run away a lot but this past year he has settled down and is reported to be  cooperative and responsive to his care-takers.

Ibra is waiting for his family to come and take him home.

Going home--

Initial moments

These past two weeks have flown by as we met the Dorseys, introduced them to their sweet little son, Sylvain, finished up paperwork at the US Consulate and at Social Action, and saw a little bit of Burkina through their eyes.

Kellen meeting Sylvain

After paperwork was finished we made a trip to Yako where they met their child, Waogba, who they sponsor through Sheltering Wings. They brought a backpack and some clothes for Waogba, spent some time with him, and met some of the children from the Yako orphanage.

Wendinda, Cris, and Sylvain

Waogba and the Dorsey Family

We also made a trip to Koudougou to visit the orphanage where Sylvain spent the first 3 years of his life before being transferred to an orphanage in Ouagadougou. On the return of this trip, we stopped by a lake which contains sacred crocodiles where everyone had a chance to sit on a croc. . . if they so desired.

Sylvain and his family are doing wonderfully well. Sylvain is a very gentle and tender-hearted little boy who gets so excited sometimes that he can just hardly contain himself! He is already understanding many English phrases and is repeating many, many words.

The Dorsey family are a gift from God. They came to Burkina with open hearts and with deep love for this little son/brother whom they had not yet met. It was love at first sight for each one of them. Sylvain was ready for his family to come for him. And, after a long wait, the Dorseys were ready to meet their son. Sylvain has some special needs and his family is ready for the challenge.

Tomorrow will be a bitter-sweet day of saying goodby to new friends while knowing that another child has been rescued by his Forever Family!

Waiting. . . .

So many precious little children who have been waiting a long time now for their families!  Do you have room in your heart for one more child?   These children have no voice.  Would you please help me to find families for them by sharing this post within your circle of friends?

Issa

This little boy is 7 years old. He was found on the streets of a major city alone and afraid when he was about 4 years old. Already he has spent 3 years waiting for his FOREVER FAMILY to come for him.

When Issa was found he was malnourished and could not see. He has been diagnosed with congenital cataracts. Surgery was performed and his vision has improved but still he does not see well. He can see light and dark, colors, and large objects.

Issa is an adorable child who is very social. He plays well with the other children and is attending a pre-school for the blind.

Issa rez

Gelles

This little 17 month old was abandoned shortly after his birth. No trace of his family has been found. Gelles is a very sweet baby but suffers from cerebral palsy, possibly blindness, and possibly torticollis.

Gelles has been in an orphanage since his birth where his basic needs are met but where he is receiving very little stimulation or physical therapy. Gelles is waiting for his FOREVER FAMILY to come and rescue him.