about Waiting ChildreN in Bulgaria

Watch a video of Ruby Mae delighting in a new snack.

Watch a video of Ruby Mae climbing on the playground. 

Meet Ruby, a sweet, sociable ten-year-old girl currently living in an Eastern European country. Despite bilateral hearing loss, Ruby engages beautifully with the world around her and loves participating in group activities, dancing, and expressing her creativity through art therapy. She is remarkably independent in her daily routines, successfully managing eating, dressing, and personal hygiene with minimal adult support. This capable and resilient girl responds wonderfully to praise, maintains excellent eye contact, and has a strong desire to connect with the peers and caregivers in her life.

Ruby received hearing aids in October 2025 to support her hearing loss. While she manages a mild developmental delay, she demonstrates good short-term memory, strong visual-figurative thinking, and a creative imagination during play. To help her reach her full potential, Ruby requires access to advanced, specialized speech and hearing services to support her language development and articulation. This affectionate and resilient girl is looking for a patient, nurturing forever family that can provide the consistent guidance, specialized resources, and stable environment she needs to continue progressing.

Watch a video of Ethan telling us about his friends and favorite subjects in school.

Watch a video of Ethan displaying his ball-handling skills.

Thirteen-year-old Ethan is a resilient and capable young man. After transitioning to a group home at the age of 10, he mastered a second language in just two years. This achievement speaks to his natural curiosity and strong cognitive abilities. Ethan is a healthy, independent boy who meets all developmental milestones; he enjoys intellectual challenges like tangrams and complex puzzles, and he takes pride in managing his own daily routines and hygiene with ease.

Beyond his academic and physical strengths, Ethan is a sociable and friendly teenager with a clear understanding of what it means to join a family. Having watched peers from his group home transition into adoptive homes, he is highly motivated to find that same sense of belonging and is eager to learn another new language to communicate with his future parents. Ethan is looking for a family that can support his continued growth as he navigates his teenage years. 

Watch a video of Anastasia with her new toy

Anastasia is a 19-month-old girl living in an Eastern European country who is described as emotionally responsive and calm. She demonstrates a clear desire for human connection, initiating interaction with adults by smiling, vocalizing, and extending her arms. Anastasia is comforted by tactile contact; she enjoys being hugged and reacts to being spoken or sung to with attentive eye contact. She has been in her current care setting since she was one month old and has developed the ability to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people, responding warmly to those she knows.

Physically, Anastasia is active and is able to turn from her back to her belly and vice versa. She can assume a sitting position with assistance and is able to stand while holding onto a fixed support. She can hold a toy that is offered to her for a brief period. Diagnosed with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (Type 12) and polyformative syndrome, Anastasia communicates primarily through non-verbal cues like gaze and gestures. She is looking for a family prepared to support her specific medical needs and celebrate the consistent, quiet joy she brings to her daily interactions.

      Watch Scotty talk about what he likes to do and what kind of family he is hoping for.

Scotty is a remarkable twelve-year-old boy whose resilience is matched only by his extraordinary capacity for kindness. Despite a history marked by early childhood abandonment and extreme poverty, Scotty has emerged as a gentle, handsome young man who "lights up a room" with his sincere smile and warm presence. He describes himself with one simple, perfect word: "Good." This goodness is evident in his everyday actions—from giving his last bit of money to a stranger in need to offering half of his modest monthly allowance to a new child at his center who arrived with nothing. Scotty’s deep empathy stems from his own past; he knows what it is like to have nothing, and he has made it his mission to ensure others do not feel that same ache.

While Scotty has a slight mental delay, his emotional intelligence and social maturity are far beyond his years. He is a child who values connection above all else. He is currently waiting for a family who can provide the stability and warmth he has longed for since childhood. For a family ready to offer a structured and loving home, welcoming Scotty means bringing in a child who truly understands the value of a selfless heart and is eager to share that love with parents he can finally call his own.

Watch a video of these brothers with a very special bond.

Agape and its Bulgarian partner have worked together to reduce the adoption fees for Blake and Bradley by $10,000!

Blake and Bradley have an unshakable bond; brothers with their own dreams and a story defined by how lovingly they interact and how deeply they rely on one another. They are looking for a forever family that can match their resilience with advocacy, love, and support.

Blake, age 9, has a gentle smile and a warrior’s spirit. Described by his brother as playful, strong-willed, and unstoppable, Blake approaches life with immense curiosity. He is a budding artist who finds joy in his circle of friends and loves drawing cars; in fact, his only wish for Christmas was a sketchbook and a remote-controlled car.

Blake has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and an expressive speech disorder. While he gets around well in his wheelchair and is working hard on his fine motor skills, he embraces challenges and never takes the easy way out. Currently, Blake does not receive the daily therapy crucial for his condition, yet he meets every day with bravery and light. He needs a family ready to advocate for his medical needs and help him maintain his physical strength.

Bradley, age 10, is the big brother every child dreams of. Protective, patient, and endlessly kind, he possesses a maturity far beyond his years. He is Blake’s champion—adjusting his wheelchair so he can join activities, helping him move around the Center, and reading him stories to comfort him.

But Bradley is also a child with big dreams of his own. A creative soul, he is currently learning to play the guitar, loves singing, and dreams of one day being an actor (or learning the bagpipes!). When he isn't looking out for Blake, he loves just being a boy—engaging in pillow fights, playing hide-and-seek, and kicking a soccer ball around with friends.

Together, these brothers are a testament to the power of family. Blake’s world is brighter because Bradley is in it, and Bradley finds purpose in being there for Blake. They are waiting for parents who can lift the weight of caregiving off Bradley’s young shoulders, provide Blake with the medical care he requires and deserves, and love them both unconditionally.

    Vito is an active and social 9-year-old boy living in Eastern Europe who radiates energy and a desire for connection. He is physically coordinated, excelling in gross motor activities like running, jumping, and climbing. While he navigates challenges related to a corrected cleft palate and moderate cognitive delays, he has made significant strides in his communication. Although he continues to work on his pronunciation and grammar, his speech is understandable to those around him. Vito thrives on engagement; he loves role-playing games, uses interactive toys appropriately, and can follow both simple and complex instructions when he is motivated and supported.

Vito has been diagnosed with ADHD and an expressive speech disorder. Additionally, he has a history of mild hearing loss. Currently placed in a foster home and attending school, Vito is learning to manage daily routines and personal hygiene independently, but he continues to need constant adult supervision and a dedicated team of specialists—including speech and behavioral therapists—to help him reach his full potential.

    A grant of $1,500 is waiting for the family who will adopt Axel.

Axel is a cheerful and resilient two-year-old who radiates joy through his frequent smiles and infectious laughter. While Axel has navigated early medical challenges related to congenital malformations, his successful surgeries have paved the way for him to focus on reaching new milestones. He is an active, determined explorer who uses a walker to move around and sits independently. Though he is currently working on his speech and motor delays, Axel is making steady progress; he actively seeks adult interaction and adapts well to new routines. Calm, curious, and full of untapped potential, Axel is simply waiting for a dedicated, nurturing family to provide the stimulation and love he needs to truly thrive.

  Watch a video of Doan

Video #2

Doan is a nearly three-year-old boy who has been in foster care in an Eastern European country since he was six months old. He is described as a gentle child who shows a genuine desire for human connection. He expresses affection through hugs and smiles with familiar caregivers and can sit and stand independently. While he shows a slight lag in his physical growth, he is active and engaged in his environment, successfully grasping and rolling toys. Doan currently requires constant, one-on-one supervision and a high level of structure due to behavioral challenges and his diagnosis of childhood autism.

Doan’s communication and cognitive skills are in the early stages of development. He does not yet have functional speech or the ability to communicate his basic needs. While he can memorize simple actions after many repetitions, his thinking processes are slow, and he often does not follow verbal instructions. He prefers to play alone and does not yet use toys for their intended purposes, though he will allow an adult to guide him through simple tasks like stacking blocks. A family with experience in neurodiversity and the resources to provide intensive, long-term therapeutic support would help Doan reach his full potential.

Austin is a calm, six-year-old boy with a peaceful spirit living in an Eastern European country. Born with lumbar spina bifida and internal hydrocephalus, he experiences lower flaccid paraplegia and uses a wheelchair for mobility. While he can roll independently and has good head control, he requires total assistance for all daily tasks, including hygiene, dressing, and spoon-feeding. Austin finds quiet enjoyment in sensory experiences, particularly during bath time, and communicates his needs through a few simple words like “yes” and “no,” or by turning his head and making eye contact when he hears his name.

Despite these challenges, Austin is emotionally stable and shows a sweet, attachment-based response to familiar caregivers through smiles and calm cooperation. Austin needs a dedicated, patient family prepared for a lifelong journey of medical advocacy, one that can provide him with a consistent routine and celebrate the subtle, meaningful ways he connects with the world.

Watch a video of Eddie

Eddie is a 3-year-old boy living in Eastern Europe, who is searching for a loving, permanent family equipped to meet his special needs. He was born with complex medical conditions, including esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and a small interventricular septal defect (VSD). Because of this, Eddie is fed five times a day through a percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG). Despite significant delays in his physical and psychomotor development, Eddie possesses a calm, cooperative, and curious temperament. He is very active in his crib, loves playing with toys that make sound and light, and enjoys music, often making dancing movements with his body. He is visually attentive, makes eye contact, and is fascinated by technical things like phones and cameras. Although he is unable to sit independently or produce meaningful sounds, Eddie is working with therapists and shows a capacity for engagement and joy, especially when being carried or cuddled. His therapists believe he has a strong potential for continued development and emotional growth within a stable, loving family environment. If you are prepared to embrace his medical and developmental journey, please inquire further to learn how you can become the dedicated parents Eddie needs.

 Meet Johnny, a sweet and resilient one-year-old boy from an Eastern European country whose bright spirit shines through. Born with several medical complexities, Johnny transitioned from the neonatology unit to a children's home and now resides in a group home catering to children with medical needs. Johnny delights in interaction, showing positive emotion and good hand-to-mouth coordination as he grasps his toys. He has reached developmental milestones like sitting independently, assuming a hands-and-knees position, and turning from back to belly. Though he faces challenges, including hydrocephalus managed with a shunt, macrocephaly, and delayed neuropsychological development, Johnny is fundamentally a calm child who seeks comfort through gentle touch and talking, calming quickly when his need for attention is met. Johnny is ready and deserving of a loving and devoted family—one that can provide the consistent individualized attention, affection, and support he needs to flourish and reach his full potential. 

Watch Hudson show you where he lives in this recent video.

A grant of $4,000 from A Child Waits Foundation is waiting for the family who will adopt Hudson.

Meet Hudson, a bright and engaging boy who just celebrated his 12th birthday! Hudson possesses enormous potential, with an intellectual functioning within the above-average range (IQ 95%). He is a sociable, observant, and curious individual who actively seeks connection, often initiating games with other children and expressing himself with politeness and courtesy. Hudson demonstrates a remarkable capacity for empathy and compassion, showing genuine interest in the experiences of others, and readily seeks attention, sympathy, or comfort through verbal expressions or affectionate gestures like hugs and cuddles. He dreams of having a loving family and friends, a testament to his desire for connection and belonging.

Hudson thrives on dynamic and active games, bringing energy and enthusiasm to his interactions. Beyond physical play, he also enjoys creative pursuits such as drawing, making collages, and embarking on various projects. Hudson takes pride in maintaining his personal space and willingly participates in household tasks. He is truly a boy with a resilient spirit and a loving heart, poised to blossom in a secure, nurturing home where he can feel safe, supported, and ultimately, become the best version of himself.

Dorothy is a 2-year-old girl whose resilience and sweetness shine through in everything she does. Though she is blind, Dorothy explores her world through sound and touch — delighting in music, gentle voices, and the comforting presence of familiar caregivers. Her laugh is infectious, and she lights up when someone sings or speaks kindly to her. 

Dorothy is making beautiful strides with the help of a special educator and is learning new skills every day. She can sit up on her own, move actively, and is learning to walk with the support of a walker. She loves musical toys and can often be found pressing buttons on a soundboard with a big smile. 

She enjoys mealtimes, bathtime, and the reassuring rhythm of daily care. With consistent love and attention, Dorothy has shown incredible potential for growth and connection. 

Dorothy would thrive in a nurturing home where her progress can continue, and where she can receive the love, stability, and individualized care she deserves. 

Dorothy has been diagnosed with congenital anomalies including hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, internal hydrocephalus, Aicardi syndrome, microphthalmia of the left eye, buphthalmos of the right eye, blindness, and global developmental delay. 

Nearly 3-year-old Sullivan is a smiley toddler who lives in an Eastern European country. Sullivan loves to be held, cuddled and give big smiles when his care takers talk to him. He loves to play “peek a boo” and play with his toys- his favorite is to play with two rattles which he likes to shake to make noise! Sullivan has age appropriate social and emotional reactions with his caretakers. He says a few words, such as mama and grandma.  He is most happy when he is around those he is familiar with and waves hello to his caretakers. His photos and videos show a darling little boy with a radiant smile and engaging eyes! Despite his medical needs, Sullivan is learning to stand from a sitting position with support and use his upper body to reach for toys.

Sullivan is too young to understand adoption; he will need a family that can meet his medical needs and provide ongoing care for him so that he can reach his fullest potential.

Sullivan has been diagnosed with: 

• Spina Bfida -surgically corrected.
• Lower flaccid paraplegia and pelvic reservoir incontinence
• Congenital hydrocephalus with VPA
• Congenital cardiac malformation: VSD + Atrial septal defect foramen ovale type
• Delay in psycho motor development