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CHOICES Adoption & Counselling Services
CHOICES is committed to providing a professional comphrehensive, client centered adoption service which best meets the needs of everyone in the adoption constellation with paramount consideration given to the best interests of the child.
CHOICES Families
The following are some families with whom CHOICES has had the pleasure of helping with adoptions from Ethiopia.
Janice & Luke
Nowhere on this planet do more helpless orphans exist, than on the continent of Africa. She was calling me back. And rightly so.
Despite my extensive travels across the continent on two prior occasions, nothing could prepare me for the visit to the small orphanage on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. This is where I was to find the most precious souvenir one could ever imagine - my son, Luke Zion. It was just two weeks before his first birthday. I told myself I would not cry, that I would just calmly walk into the room and say hello to him and if I was lucky, pick him up or give him a hug. Emotions took over. The moment I laid eyes on him, tears streamed. He smiled and raised his arms to be lifted out of his crib. We touched. I gently pulled him toward me; cheek to cheek. His soft little body melted into mine. Tears ran. I was a mother.
Our time together in Ethiopia was unforgettable. I spent the weeks learning as much as I could about my son, his land and his culture. Most times, the beautiful landscapes, exotic food and wonderful people were grossly overshadowed by the abject poverty, rampant disease and overall despair. Despite this, we took in all the sights, and experienced as much of the local way of life as was possible. Of particular significance were our return visits to the orphanage to be with the beautiful and selfless people who took incredible care of my son for most of the first year of his life.
A steady concern for me throughout the process was that fact that I was removing a human being from his homeland. I quickly came to learn however, that Ethiopians love their children and truly want the best for each and every one of them. They know all too well the challenges that local orphans face. The number of children who try to fend for themselves on the streets of Addis Ababa is testimony to this harsh reality. The locals understood, appreciated and accepted that I was taking Luke to Canada to join my family – to provide a life for him that they could only dream of. Not a day went by that I didn’t hear "lucky boy" or "god bless you" from a passerby; gently smiling when they caught a glimpse of their native babe in my arms.
Luke is now 18 months old and thriving. He loves trucks, wheels and airplanes, but also loves to dance, cuddle and kiss. Truth be known, I am the lucky one, as Luke is the angel that was missing from our family. Both our lives are changed forever. Many thanks to the dedicated and caring people at CHOICES for their patience and support every step of the way.