The simple fact is that only a small number of the mostly younger abandoned children living in Chinese orphanages will find homes through domestic and international adoption. While CCAI is able to place orphans as old as 13 years, we do understand that once a child has reached about seven years of age, his or her chance of ever being adopted is further reduced.

Placement of older orphans in foster families is also not common. Most of the older children—many with special needs—reside in the orphanages, grouped with similar-aged boys and girls, until they are 17 or 18 years old.

There is not a standard upper age limit of children under the care of an orphanage. Some orphanages will release their healthy children and children with minor physical conditions into society when they reach the age of 16. Some orphanages wait until the child reaches 18. Orphanages usually assist these older teenagers to find a job, and the government encourages companies to hire handicapped workers through tax incentives. However, due to the high unemployment rate in most parts of China, orphanages face an uphill battle to convince companies to accept their children, even those with some learned skills.

Through generous donations to the Children Charity Fund (CCF), we are able to provide older children growing up in Chinese orphanages with health care, life skills, and knowledge they will need to eventually function as independent, productive, and healthy adults in society.

Previously, CCF has spent money on medical treatments, education, clothing, and even bicycles for older orphans. In all cases, we try to show older orphans that they are not forgotten. For more information on how you can get involved in helping older orphanage kids, please contact charity@ccaifamily.org.

Please check with your employer to see if they will match your donation.