Augusta and Aminata

by Lucinda Renaerts

My husband and I adopted two beautiful girls that were sponsored through Brittany's Hope Foundation. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you. Without the Foundation, the cost of adopting two children at once would have been very difficult. Unfortunately the adoption process is very costly for all the legal fees, thus making it very difficult for sibling groups to find homes. This is classified a special needs adoption due to the age of the children as well as it's a double cost to do the adoption process.

If we lived in a world where everyone worked for free and money wasn't a factor I know many people would adopt at the beat of a heart. Adopting a child right from the beginning is sacrificial. You begin by putting your heart on the line by falling in love with the idea of becoming a Mom and Dad. Thus risking hurt and disappointment if something during the process goes wrong and end up having to let go. It is however the beginning of a sacrificial love you will pour out again and again as you raise your child. One that is so worth it. Money is also sacrificed as you pinch by each month saving as much as you can, still feeling that it's never enough. Although knowing there is no price for a soul. Money can never take the place of our girls. Saving what we could and doing without things we wanted are so worth it. Having the Foundation has made the adoption of our girls so possible. We prayed somehow, somewhere money would come and we are so blessed to have found Brittany's Hope Foundation.

My husband and I have three birth children and three adopted children. However, we have five children at home. Let me tell you a bit of our story. We had our birth son three and one half years old and one adopted daughter whom we had since birth. When she was two, we decided that we wanted to adopt more children of the same heritage background but didn't know where to go. We had seen a documentary on the war in Sierra Leone and our hearts were pulled to the children left to pick up the pieces of a war torn country. Having one or both parents killed during the war, we knew even to make a difference in one life, was better than none. We searched for three years, trying to adopt a sibling group if possible. Knowing that being taken from everything they ever knew and had would be hard, even if it wasn't much. At least than they would still have each other.

In February 2003 we had a little girl and were still in the adoption process. In May 2003 she passed away suddenly, due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We had a choice to make at this point. We could stop the adoption process or trust God and love through our loss and pain. We thought it could still be a couple of years for the adoption to happen because we didn't have a proposal at this point and the country was so unstable. In early summer 2003 they called telling us about a sibling group of two girls that were being sponsored by Brittany's Hope Foundation. Aminata, age seven, and her little sister Augusta, age five. We said yes and by the end of August it was completed. Also, in October we found out I was pregnant again.

In March 2004 I flew at six and a half months pregnant to Accra Ghana to pick up our girls and complete what was supposed to be a fifteen month immigration process. My mother's heart knew I had to believe that God who blessed us with our new daughters, would make a way for the Canadian Immigrations to go quickly. So I called the Canadian Embassy in Accra and told them I was coming, even if it took months of sitting and waiting for them to finalize the paperwork. With complete peace and knowing my girls would be safe with me, I got on the plane. Everything went well while we were there, as far as the paperwork process. The girls on the other hand were so scared, as was I. As they slowly adjusted to me, we had a memorable time together with tears and laughter before coming home. Once home, the girls settled in more and more.

I think back of when we landed in Franford on the way home. They had men in uniforms standing by the gates and when my Aminita, the oldest stepped off the plane and saw them, she fell apart. Complete fear and terror flooded her face and she completely froze. I couldn't imagine what had taken place for such a little girl to become so scared at the sight of men in uniforms. We see them as safe people or even heroes. As months passed, I soon found out why the fear. The girls told us they were always running and hiding from men in uniforms. The girls often ask if policeman are good or bad. My heart breaks at the thought of where they would be today. I don't even want to think about it, because than my heart breaks for all those children who are still running and hiding, who have no Mom or Dad to protect them.

I remember when the girls were told by their new siblings that Talia (our baby that passed away) was buried at the cemetery as we drove by, the girls quickly asked "who shot her"? My heart in that moment broke once more for their hearts. For the childhood that was taken from them due to war. All the horrible things they had to see. All the pain that they hold.

As time goes by I find they have been able to slowly trust once again and start to live as little girls, rebuilding a foundation that has been cracked in their lives. The eldest, Aminita, has realized somewhat that she isn't the Mom. She doesn't have to clean and do laundry to survive anymore. She has learned to grumble when asked to do chores if she doesn't feel like it. This is a good sign. She can be comfortable enough to be herself. She's discovered the fun in dress up, dolls, bike riding and playing house.

The younger one, Augusta, we have found has a chronic pain disorder that nobody ever knew about. Prior to the adoption they would never have known because there is no money for the necessary medical tests. The Doctor has diagnosed her with Sickle Cell Anemia. She tells me she would lay for days in bed with such pain and nobody being able to do anything to help the pain. I have discovered when she gets to this point in her pain, which is called a crisis the only way to stop the pain is with intravenous fluids to hydrate her. Heavy duty pain killers are also necessary to get her through the tough times. Thank you Lord for good health care.

We are now able to control her pain and lessen her attacks having learned more about it. The key factor is keeping her hydrated. Thus I have been going through what seems like potty training. I ask her every hour if she drank water recently, reminding her that her body needs it. If not reminded, I find she will drink water only three to five times a day. The girls are not used to being able to drink whenever wanted or needed. For Augusta, this is a big thing. If she doesn't she will have severe pain. Sickle Cell Anemia can cause death if one of the Sickle shape blood cell's gets stuck in the heart. I couldn't imagine if she was still back in Sierra Leone without the sufficient amount of water needed or medical treatment. If she had a severe attack she would live and has lived most of her days in bed. It has been a big thing for her to live life learning to do things for herself and not others for her, because she is able to do so now, without pain.

Both girls have come so far in the last year for such young lives that have been through so much. They were so excited when their new baby brother Teagen was born. I find it has given them their pecking order and a natural way for them to see how I would have taken care of them from birth, had they been here. The girls were given new middle and last names when they came home. At first it was awkward for them. When Teagen was born and Mom and Dad named him he got the family last name. They were quite pleased to have the family name and that Mom and Dad gave them a new middle name. We are now all the same and they liked having a new middle name for a new start in life.

The children have all done so well through the changes and adjustments that had to be made with an expanding family. The girls open up more and more about their past, which is so wonderful to hear, as much as the fear of, had they never come to be our children. Where would they be grips me. If the funds were not there would they be fed everyday? Would they still be running and hiding?

I want to thank you for making the blessing of family real. The blessing of the girls having a Mom and Dad. For us to have two beautiful girls who have taught us to live life so unselfishly. They have enriched our lives so much. Thank you once again.

Sincerely, Shane and Lucinda Renaerts