Waiting Children Program

Governments of foreign countries have asked US agencies not to post identifying information about specific children openly on the internet, i.e., their photos, names, birth dates, or city of origin. We can, however, share some of this information privately with prospective adoptive parents (upon receipt of a completed information release disclaimer form). 

ALL of the individual children and sibling groups for whom we advocate have been listed in the database and photo-listing at the RAINBOW KIDS advocacy website for waiting children. Please take the time to register there to access the photo-listing (keyword or agency search for "Illien").

To inquire specifically about one of the waiting children described below, email Joy McCarnan joy@illienadoptions.org, or call (404) 815.1599. Interested families should have a home study or at least be in the process of obtaining a current home study. Please understand that, in order to conform to intercountry adoption policies, before we will release to you child-identifying photos and medical reports, we must ask you to fill out and return a physically-signed copy of our "Waiting Child(ren) Information Release" disclaimer form (by fax, email, or post). Please also complete this free, brief online questionnaire to help us help you more efficiently (submitting this is also a requirement of the release form). 

INDIA follows Hague Convention guidelines for intercountry adoptions (please see our INDIA program page for general information). India's standard adoption requirements do have some flexibility when it comes to finding families for children who are older, who are part of sibling groups, and/or who have special needs. Ideally, your family's home study should already be complete if you are inquiring about a waiting child from India. We are currently advocating for the following waiting children in India:

• M-H: This 6-year-old boy is described by his caregivers as a quiet child, but also friendly, cooperative, and full of personality. [request photos/medical info]


• M-A: This 7- or 8-year-old boy is not communicating verbally, repeats only a few words. Everything else about his behavior indicates that he is a cheerful, active child. [request photos/medical info]

• M-K: Because she is blind, this nearly-3-year-old girl does not receive very much stimulation or opportunities to interact. She coos, babbles, and smiles. [request photos/medical info]


• M-RO: Are you hoping to adopt a child with HIV while he/she is still very young? This baby boy tested positive at five months old. Now about 2 years old, he is described by his caregivers as playful, cheerful, and developing normally overall. We hope to see him come home to a family soon. [request photos/medical info]


• M-P: This boy is 6 years old. He seems to be bright and active. We are hoping to help find a family who will welcome this boy with open arms. [request photos/medical info]


• M-V: This 3.5-year-old boy has been diagnosed with craniostenosis, and also has some visual impairments. He was abandoned. His caregivers describe him as a friendly and active child. [request photos/medical info]


• M-S: This 4-year-old visually-impaired girl, we are told, is shy and quiet, but also friendly and cooperative. As she has gotten older, she has started to smile and interact more and more. [request photos/medical info]


• M-SR: A beautiful 4.5-year-old little girl, "Illien-M-SR" is hearing-impaired and cannot speak. While she does have hemiatrophy on her right side, she is able to sit on her own, without assistance. [request photos/medical info]


• M-MY: This 3.5-year-old boy seems very friendly and happy. His vision is impaired, and his developmental progress is delayed. He also has a Leptomeningeal cyst. [request photos/medical info]

ETHIOPIA has specific guidelines for international adoption (please see our ETHIOPIA program page for general program information). Standard Ethiopia requirements have some flexibility when it comes to families finding children who are older, who are part of sibling groups, and/or who have special needs. We are currently advocating for these waiting children in Ethiopia:

• B-TA: This endearing 8-year-old HIV+ boy is described as active, cheerful, and as having an irresistible smile. We have received very inquiries about him, probably because he is an older child living with HIV. But he is a survivor and a wonderful boy; we cannot wait for him to meet his wonderful future family! [request photos/medical info]


• B-R: This 5-year-old little boy has significant special needs. He is both mentally and developmentally delayed, has HIV, cannot speak or walk, and spends most of his time lying down. He does demonstrate some responsiveness and seems to enjoy company: He smiles and tries to express his enthusiasm when he recognizes that new people are around him. [request photos/medical info]


• B-2M & B-2N: These brothers are 10 and 9 years old and have no major medical needs. They get along well together and with the other children, and they love playing outdoors. We hope to find these boys a family soon who can provide them consistent care. [request photos/medical info]


• B-D: This 15-year-old boy lost his father in 1995, and his mother in August 2010. He is in need of immediate assistance financially (we hope to find a family able to sponsor him at $50/month), and he is also (for the time being) available for adoption. [request photos/medical info]

ECUADOR follows Hague Convention guidelines for intercountry adoptions. These standard guidelines do have some flexibility when it comes to finding families for children who are older, who are part of sibling groups, and/or who have special needs. Please contact Honoré Washington, our Coordinator of International Programs, if you have further questions about adopting from Ecuador. We are currently advocating for the following waiting children in Ecuador:

• H-AG: "Active, curious, and precious," this 6-year-old little boy with Down Syndrome loves to dance, to play with toys, and--most of all--to play in the water. Although he has the typical delays and challenges that come with Down Syndrome, he shows interest in doing things on his own and has learned how to make his bed, dress himself, and feed himself. [request photos/medical info]


• H-JL: This 9.5-year-old boy is described as affectionate and lively. Although he does not communicate verbally and has significant hurdles to overcome, he definitely understands and responds to his caregivers, and he enjoys playing with his friends. We are hoping to help him find a forever home. [request photos/medical info]


• H-AM: This 5-year-old girl has an endearing grin and loves to sing, help, play with her stuffed bear, and--especially!--she loves to DANCE. Since birth, she struggles with some cognitive, psychological, and speech delays but is making progress, holding a pencil better and saying words better. While her caregivers indicate she has a stubborn streak when it comes to responding to authority, they also describe her as a joyful and expressive. [request photos/medical info]

We share this information to raise the level of awareness of the waiting children as prospective families consider, define, and then build their long-term adoption plan. THANK YOU for your interest in these waiting children!

ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE (INQUIRY FORM) –Get started with an inquiry. With no obligation or cost to you, this form will help us help you.

WAITING CHILD(REN) INFORMATION RELEASE FORM –Fill this out and scan, fax, or mail it back to us with your signature(s) so we can share more information for your consideration!

Click here to learn more about the INDIA Adoption Program.

Click here to learn more about the ECUADOR Adoption Program.

Click here to learn more about the ETHIOPIA Adoption Program.

Please contact Joy McCarnan at joy@illienadoptions.org (or 404.815.1599) for more information about waiting children.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO PICTURES OF WAITING CHILDREN ON THIS WEBSITE.