Three unique aspects of Holt’s Philippines Special Needs Project — and the children who are waiting to join permanent, loving families.
Most of the children waiting for adoptive families through Holt in the Philippines…
Have a Strong Faith
All children in child caring agencies in the Philippines are raised and educated in Christianity or Catholicism. Most have daily prayer and Bible education as part of their routine – this typically happens in the evenings as a whole group. Children raised in Catholic child caring agencies have received their rites (depending on their age). For most children, their faith is important to them and they pray for an adoptive family every night.
Can Speak English
All the children can speak at least some level of English! Many could complete our entire interview without the assistance of an interpreter. A lot of school is taught in English, so children also know how to read in English. For older children, having a good foundation of English really helps them when they are placed with an adoptive family in the U.S. Without a huge language barrier, it is easier for them to make friends at school, and express their needs and wants with their adoptive family.
Receive Mental Health Support
Children waiting to be adopted through Holt typically have a psychological exam completed and most have access to counseling at their child caring agency. This is unique from many other adoption programs. The counselors at these child caring agencies talk with the children about their previous life experiences, help the children learn how to cope with negative memories and feelings, give them tools for dealing with frustration, and talk with them about adoption. One child caring agency is strictly for girls who experienced sexual abuse. This facility has counselors and social workers on staff who help the girls work through their experiences, help them with the prosecution of their abuser, and prepare them to live in a healthy family setting.
For most children, their faith is important to them and they pray for an adoptive family every night.
These children are so needing and deserving of a loving family. The children are very familiar with adoption, and they have regular conversations about it with their caregivers. Each one of them is excited about the possibility of adoption, and many of them express their desire to be adopted one day.
If you or someone you know wants to learn more about the children we met, we would love to talk with you! We have lots of photos and information about each of the children, and would love to share about their specific needs and personalities.
Email our Waiting Child Team!
Get in touch with our team of expert advocates for the waiting children we feature.
