Maxim has his loving parents now!

I’ve never worked in adoption services myself so it’s a mystery to me how civil servants select profiles of children up for adoption to show prospective parents. It seems that Maxim’s profile has been at the bottom of the pile for years, that’s why he’s been unlucky.

It’s been two years and he’s 15 now, but you would never know. He grew a little and became more slender, he looks even cuter with his new longer hairdo.

Maxim is famous in his orphanage for being a performer; he takes part in many competitions and concerts. On our request he brought a hefty pile of his achievements. A couple of the congratulatory letters were for academic success, the rest commemorate his involvement in acting. He is truly passionate about stage but he is afraid of contemplating the acting career when he grows up. Why? His success and popularity have made his classmates envious and, since he’s not very strong, he has to deal with physical bullying from time to time.

Max loves reading, too, - he’s a regular visitor at the school and local libraries, although his academic achievements have been moderate. In the last few months, however, his mindset has changed significantly. I’m not sure what made him change but it appears the boy has arrived at a conclusion that he needs to work hard to deserve a family. In order to become more attractive to prospective parents, he must do better at school. Maxim has taken to academic books, asks the teachers lots of questions and by the end of the academic year his grades went up. It’s pleasing and saddening at the same time. It’s great because his abilities far outstrip what he has demonstrated in the last few years, the reason for not doing well was lack of motivation. And it’s sad because the trigger to study more was desperation. It’s possible that he will still become convinced that he’s not good enough to be loved and cared for and he must earn these with hard work rather than be entitled to them.

I’m writing about him again because I have faith that his parents are waiting for him somewhere...

Video was shot with the support of Dnepropetrovsk Regional Charity Organization "Rainbow Shine". There are more profiles on a website .

If you are interested in adopting Maxim, please read the memo to the potential adoptive parents, guardians, and foster parents; you can also contact Children’s Affairs' service of the Zaporozhia State Administration by telephone (061) 239-01-56 and to tell them the number of Maxim's profile accordingly to the orphan list # 0060656.

Other children who dream of finding a family

If for some reason you are currently not able to adopt (for example, you are a student and do not have a family of your own yet) you are still able to help children at a boarding school (an orphanage with your financial support. Ways you can help include: planning and participating in excursions and trips for children; visiting a child in an orphanage; or helping purchase developmental toys, books, construction sets, and sports equipmen