Hello my name is Sasha!

Across the ocean I wait. I have been waiting a long time for you, for a place in your heart, for a place in your home, and a place in your family.
My name is Sasha.

http://www.projecthopeful.org/waiting-kids/details/3/153

I was born with a minor heart condition (VSD). Due to my facial features, some believe I might have FAS, (fetal alcohol syndrome). HOWEVER, it's quite possible I do not have FAS. This has NOT been documented in my file, but just a cautionary disclosure to my potential family.
http://reecesrainbow.org/sasha56

I currently live in an older child internat.
As I get older my chances for a family continue to decrease. Sadly the pictures below could be me. There are little options when I age out of the orphanage. My future will rest in the hands of the director of the orphanage. Will he/she care enough to help me in tradeschool or will the darkeness of night, the freezing tempatures, and the sewers where street children gather await me. Where will I turn when my hungary, scared, or need shoes in the depth of snowy winter? Disease is sure to strike from eating out of trash cans, lack of warm clothing, and any medical care. Who will comfort me, tell me everything is going to be ok, and hold me in their arms?
Who is going to teach me that evils will be offered to me to numb the pain, or that there are "ways" to make money?
My dreams are about what is on the otherside of the orphanage walls. My dreams are to be loved and cared for. Right now, no one is waiting for me on the otherside of the orphanage walls. My dreams are just that, dreams.


Here is the truth:
"For an orphan at age 15 or 16, this life is awaiting them. Another option they have is prostitution that can also lead to sex trafficking. Here are some alarming statics;
After "aging out" of the orphanage system at age 15-16,
10% of orphans commit suicide before the age of 18.
60% of the girls end up in prostitution.
70% of the boys end up in crime.
Only 27% are able to find work.
The older a child gets, his or her chances for adoption drastically decrease
When children age out of the orphanage at the age of 16, most are completely on their own, with no family or support of any kind and lacking the education necessary to provide for themselves."*

I want to be loved, I want to feel love, and I want a family. And most importantly, I want to give love.
Is that too much to ask?
Life in an orphanage has cheated me out of my childhood. Help me, rescue me, save me from what awaits me as I age.
Can't it be my time?

*stats taken from kevinandpam.blogspot.com

What is Reeces Rainbow? What is Project Hopeful?

"Project Hopeful is not for profit ministry that educates, encourages, and enables families adopting children with HIV/AIDS. Every orphaned child hopes for a family and a home. The reality for many children with HIV/AIDS and other special needs is that the chances of having that dream materialize are slim."* Project Hopeful works to advocate for children with HIV/AIDS and special needs to make that dream a reality for those children.
To learn more about Project Hopeful, please visit:
*  http://www.projecthopeful.org/project-hopeful

Reeces Rainbow is a ministry that advocates for children with downsyndrome and special needs.  They promote international adoption of children with Down syndrome and special needs.
"The primary focus of Reece's Rainbow is to raise grant funds and promote the international adoption and rescue of children with Down syndrome in particular."*
To learn more about Reeces Rainbow, please visit:
*http://reecesrainbow.org/

What is a FIG advocate?

FIG stands for "Family in the Gap."
Our role as a FIG advocate is to:

• commit to praying regularly for Sasha to find a forever family
• spread awareness about them and be instrumental in helping locate a family for them
• raise money for Sasha adoption fund to help eliminate financial barriers presented by adoption

The FIG program is headed by Project Hopeful  http://www.projecthopeful.org/fig-fund
please contact figs@projecthopeful.org for more information about the FIG program!