When it comes to adoptions in Ukraine, girls always tend to be more 'desirable.'
I think there must seem to be something cuter, or sweeter or more 'manageable' about girls that draws adoptive families to statistically prefer girls over boys in adoption. Although I get this concept in 'theory', I have to add my 2 cents and say that after years of working with teenage girls, and after being one myself I think the assumption is not very accurate :). Girls are complicated and emotional...and well...you know....let's just say a lot of drama comes with the territory!
Now boys on the other hand....
The statistics point to there being more boys living in Ukrainian orphanages than girls--and from personal experience I would say I've observed this to be true in all locations we have worked. There isn't really a good explanation for this statistic other then what was stated above-- more families (local and foreign) want to adopt girls than boys.
So the boys remain waiting.
Fatherless.
Without positive male influences in their lives to teach them.
And with 1/2 a dozen 'mamas' in the orphanage, none of which fill the void of a real mother.
So I want to use this post to advocate for the boys of Ukraine.
3 of them specifically.
There is one sweet boy I just can't get off of my mind no matter how hard I try. I don't know why it has taken me this long to post his picture and share his story. Maybe it is because he is 12 going on 13 and I know that 12 year-old boys can be some of the hardest to place. (he is blonde smiling face pictured on the left here)
I met him in December in southern Ukraine and was so moved by his kind heart and his sweet smile. He has a slight limp to his stride due to a bad leg. He has faced a life of rejection and teasing because of his disability, and yet he was one of the most helpful children I met in the orphanage that day. He was quiet and yet kind and won my heart in the short amount of time spent with him. He is a smart kid, but because of his leg issue he is in an orphanage for kids with learning issues and as a result is not getting a good eduction. He could thrive given the opportunity.
4 months later after meeting him I still can't stop thinking about him. So I'm sharing his story here, in hopes it will resonate, in hopes that someone will hear.
He's available. Will you pray for him to find a home?
And then there are these two boys that a good friend of mine is advocating for. Two boys that she knows very well and two boys that need a family. They aren't brother's but they live in the same orphanage in the south. Bogdan, on the right is an active 9-year-old little boy who loves to read the Bible and pray and talk with his care-givers for hours on end. Daniel, on the left is 10-year's old and loves to play soccer and play and help around the house. Both are sweet boys and both are ready for a family.
Will you share their story?
I don't often use this blog to advocate for specific children, as I know it can be complicated. For some reason, tonight, these three are weighing heavy on my heart-- knowing that their age and their gender are working against them.
And to think that these are just three little snap shots to represent the thousands of waiting boys in Ukraine.
O Lord Jesus, in your mercy provide families for these boys, your precious sons. May they be able to know the love of a father and mother and see your hand over each detail of their lives. Help them to know you and walk with you all their days. Amen.
I think there must seem to be something cuter, or sweeter or more 'manageable' about girls that draws adoptive families to statistically prefer girls over boys in adoption. Although I get this concept in 'theory', I have to add my 2 cents and say that after years of working with teenage girls, and after being one myself I think the assumption is not very accurate :). Girls are complicated and emotional...and well...you know....let's just say a lot of drama comes with the territory!
Now boys on the other hand....
The statistics point to there being more boys living in Ukrainian orphanages than girls--and from personal experience I would say I've observed this to be true in all locations we have worked. There isn't really a good explanation for this statistic other then what was stated above-- more families (local and foreign) want to adopt girls than boys.
So the boys remain waiting.
Fatherless.
Without positive male influences in their lives to teach them.
And with 1/2 a dozen 'mamas' in the orphanage, none of which fill the void of a real mother.
So I want to use this post to advocate for the boys of Ukraine.
3 of them specifically.
There is one sweet boy I just can't get off of my mind no matter how hard I try. I don't know why it has taken me this long to post his picture and share his story. Maybe it is because he is 12 going on 13 and I know that 12 year-old boys can be some of the hardest to place. (he is blonde smiling face pictured on the left here)I met him in December in southern Ukraine and was so moved by his kind heart and his sweet smile. He has a slight limp to his stride due to a bad leg. He has faced a life of rejection and teasing because of his disability, and yet he was one of the most helpful children I met in the orphanage that day. He was quiet and yet kind and won my heart in the short amount of time spent with him. He is a smart kid, but because of his leg issue he is in an orphanage for kids with learning issues and as a result is not getting a good eduction. He could thrive given the opportunity.
4 months later after meeting him I still can't stop thinking about him. So I'm sharing his story here, in hopes it will resonate, in hopes that someone will hear.
He's available. Will you pray for him to find a home?
And then there are these two boys that a good friend of mine is advocating for. Two boys that she knows very well and two boys that need a family. They aren't brother's but they live in the same orphanage in the south. Bogdan, on the right is an active 9-year-old little boy who loves to read the Bible and pray and talk with his care-givers for hours on end. Daniel, on the left is 10-year's old and loves to play soccer and play and help around the house. Both are sweet boys and both are ready for a family.
Will you share their story?
I don't often use this blog to advocate for specific children, as I know it can be complicated. For some reason, tonight, these three are weighing heavy on my heart-- knowing that their age and their gender are working against them.
And to think that these are just three little snap shots to represent the thousands of waiting boys in Ukraine.
O Lord Jesus, in your mercy provide families for these boys, your precious sons. May they be able to know the love of a father and mother and see your hand over each detail of their lives. Help them to know you and walk with you all their days. Amen.
"But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless." Psalm 10:14
**Feel free to send me a personal message if you'd like more information on these boys. My email link is under contact information on the side bar.
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