Updates

Here is an update on my search for other children who were also in the same SWI (Social Welfare Institute) as our daughter, ElleAnna. I found a way to send a blanket e-mail to all the adoption agencies in the United States who work with the Chinese government. Only one indicated that they had ever had any referrals on children from Panjin - They've actually had three from there.... IT WAS THE SAME AGENCY THAT WE USED TO ADOPT ELLE. As far as we can tell, only three children have come from Panjin to be adopted by families in the US.

The other two children are both about a year older than ElleAnna. One was in fact the little boy who was adopted only a few weeks before we met ElleAnna. He was a little over three years old when he was united with his forever family. The other was a little girl, who has been with her new family since last fall. She was four years old when she was adopted. Both of these other children have special needs, so it is possible that is the only type of referrals they make for international adoption.

I did work with Adele Hall through Blessed Kids to send a camera to Panjin along with film, candy, and money to develop the pictures and have them mailed. We asked to have photos taken of places and people that Elle would possibly find familiar. We hope to get those photos in the next few weeks. The orphanage also sent a book for ElleAnna about their facility. She was never in foster care, so we are excited to have those for her as she grows up, especially given the very limited information about her region and very few children from there.

We will continue searching and learning - I may have found someone who can take photos of her "finding place". She was only a few hours old when she was found, based on a physician's assessment. It will be special to have a picture of that location also...
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