AUSTIN, Texas — Malachi is a bright and curious 11-year-old boy who loves learning about the world around him. He's been in foster care for five years and currently lives in a group home. Before that, he had to live in different places.
During the school day, he enjoys science class and running around during recess. He's very friendly and has a lot to say.
KVUE's Hannah Rucker met up with him at the new "Sharks" exhibit at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
"I've been reading about different animals lately and then when I got to sharks, I just couldn't stop reading," Malachi said. "I read the books over and over, and now I'm kind of obsessed with them now."
Walking through every section of the exhibit, Malachi was able to spout out different facts about each shark.
"I like sharks because I like their instincts," Malachi said.
Malachi also has an incredible sense of humor and likes to make different funny faces. He does a great Stitch impression from "Lilo and Stitch."
"'Ohana means family'" Malachi quoted from the movie.
Malachi also loves playing with Legos and thinks being an architect could be cool.
His caseworker said he is in need of a positive role model after everything he's been through. Malachi said he thinks being in a big family would be special, but he's open to anything.
"I want them to be a nice family," he said. "When I'm frustrated, they help me with that. They tickle me to make me happy again. And when I'm sad, they help me with my emotions."
To learn more about Malachi or to put in an inquiry to adopt him, visit his page on the Heart Gallery of Central Texas.
PHOTOS | Forever Families: Meet Malachi
KVUE launched the Forever Families segment with Partnerships for Children (PFC) in June 2020 to highlight children in the Heart Gallery of Central Texas who need secure and permanent families. Every day, there are nearly 1,000 children waiting to get adopted in Central Texas, according to PFC.
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Editor's note: The children who are in the Heart Gallery program and featured in KVUE's Forever Families segments are children who have had every effort made on their behalf to connect them with family or others in their community to provide options for permanent, adoptive homes. Through no fault of their own, that hasn’t happened yet, and so in partnership with the Department of Family and Protective Services, we collaborate to bring awareness to KVUE viewers about these children in the hopes of finding them permanency before they age out.