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For information about
Hand In Hand's newest adoption program, United
in HOPE, which serves to provide permanent placement
for children with special needs from China, please
see the News page.
Our China program was begun in 1992 by MaryLee
Fahrenbrink Lane, the founder and Executive Director
of Hand In Hand. MaryLee was referred to
Dr. Hong Hai Yang, who was at the time the pediatrics
doctor for the Health and Welfare Institute of
Nanjing, China. Dr. Hong became the Chinese
coordinator for the agency. His acceptance
by the Chinese Civil Affairs and Justice Ministries
was a tribute to his work with orphans and care
of all ages of children at the Welfare Institute.
Program Director is Roger B. Lane, Director of Development in the Administrative Office of Hand In Hand. Assistant Program Director is Sonja Wendt in the Mesa, Arizona office.
China's one-child policy and the strong desire for a son bind many parents in China, as sons are responsible for caring for their parents in their old age and for carrying on the family name. This is just one reason there are more females than males available in the Welfare Institutes of China. Birthparents confront this difficult situation by leaving their children in a safe public place where they will be found quickly, with the intention that the child will be taken care of. For many birthparents, this seems to be the only real choice, as violating China's one-child policy can mean serious penalties and fines imposed on the family.
Hand In Hand receives referrals for children in orphanages all over China. Estimates are well over one million children who await a home and family to call their own. Our overall experience with these orphanages has been positive. Most are simple but clean, and do their best to provide good basic care for the children. In some cases, children are raised with nearby foster families. |
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Types of Children Available: |
- 6 months to 10 yrs old; preponderance of infants
- Many toddlers 3 to 4 years old
- Typically girls but some boys
- Healthy children and children with mild to moderate medical conditions
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Types of Families accepted: |
| As of May 1, 2007, requirements for adoptive families have changed. We have included highlights of these requirements here, but please check with your local Hand In Hand office for specifics. |
- Couples married at least two years; if either spouse was previously divorced, current marriage must be at least five years
- Both spouses must be 30 to 50 years old (45 is maximum age for infants; 55 is maximum age for child with special needs)
- Adoptive parents must be in good health
- Adoptive parents must hold high school diploma or greater education
- Families with children at home acceptable for placement of a healthy child as long as there are no more than four children under 18 already in the home and as long as the youngest child is over one year old
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Travel Requirements: |
- One parent must travel to China
- Length of stay is approximately 10 to 14 days
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Time Frames: |
- Dossier Submission to CCAA Acceptance – 4 to 8 weeks
- CCAA Acceptance to Match – 24
to 30 months
- Match to Placement – 1 to 2 months
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China is a wonderfully diverse country, full of history, amazing sights, wonderful food and warm, welcoming people. Not surprisingly, however, it is different from the United States in every conceivable way (including having opposite days and nights). Time for families to adjust to the time change and initial culture shock is specifically built into the two-week trip.
China is home to 1.29 billion people - over 20% of the world's population. The capital of China is Beijing and the official language is Mandarin, with dialects spoken in different areas.
China offers a rich and varied history and culture and historic sightseeing opportunities, such as the Great Wall. |
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