Maria was not at all afraid of the camera — she smiled and waved her hand at it. The girl is easygoing and always eager to meet new people.

Maria is a child with special needs, she doesn't talk, but her lively face and body gestures won't leave you untouched. Maria attends to herself, minds her appearance, finds her way around the orphanage, knows her daily routine.

Maria likes dancing classes (she even did an improvised dance for us to accordeon music), she participates in holiday shows and sports. She is very friendly and gets on well with other children.

Maria's favourite toys are construction sets, she also likes drawing.

If you are interested in adopting, 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.

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 equipment.