The Finding Ad

Orphanages place an advertisement in the local newspaper as part of the legally binding abandonment declaration process for Chinese children. Effort is made to locate the birth parents and give them an opportunity to reclaim their child before placing the child into the international adoption program.

Imagine how the mothers of these children must feel. They may watch the newspaper finding ads for several weeks or months looking for their baby. Many of these women didn't want to give up their babies. They agree to do it because of pressure from their family members. I have also heard that many of the mothers and fathers visit the orphanage gates and watch for their child. Some mothers give up multiple children. Remember, that abandonment is the only option in China. They don't have the option of adoption as birth parents who feel unable to care for a child and desire a better home for her.

We had someone research for Zoe's finding ad. It appeared in the Jiangcheng district newspaper on January 3rd, 2006. In this photo, she is only about 2 months old! She is in the middle row of the newspaper advertisement and the seventh child from the left.