An adoption process takes time, patience, research and money. Especially with international adoption.
“Each time my wife and I have to go to Sierra Leone it’s $5,000 just to go for travel,” said Stefan Mahon, who is currently in the process of adopting two 19 month-old siblings named Leo and Grace from Sierra Leone.
What makes a couple want to charge head first into a spider web of red tape and bureaucracy in the name of adoption?
“That’s what everyone asks us; why Sierra Leone? And we will certainly address that more on our gala night.”
The gala organized by the Mahons will take place at Silvertip Resort on Thursday (Nov. 28), from 6-7 p.m. It will feature a cocktail reception, with dinner and entertainment following. A silent auction will also take place.
A shortened version offered by Mahon comes down to the desire to keep siblings of a certain young age together (to balance their current family dynamic) and to not be afraid of the challenges international adoption presents.
“The Canadian government requires us to do things in a certain order. So one, we have to go and connect so we know who these kids are, but then we can’t proceed until the Canadian government says A-OK. The African side says, ‘yeah sure, let’s go ahead.’
“If you proceed before the Canadian processes go through, they will think you are superseding them, so we’re now back in Canada waiting for the government to say it’s OK,” said Mahon.
Once documentation is accepted by the Canadian government, the Mahons will have to appear before a judge in Africa to continue.
Once both governments are satisfied, the Mahon’s next step will be applying for Leo and Grace’s citizenship. “At that point, we return and each time, these trips cost money,” said Mahon. “That is where we’re looking for a bit of support, and of course there are legal fees, adoption home-study and these types of things add up.”
Mahon pointed out prices quickly escalate when dealing with bureaucracy in two countries on two different continents at the same time.
“We feel (the gala) is a wonderful way to get support with our community. A lot of it is to bring awareness that we are bringing two black babies into a small town – you’re going to see us at Safeway,” said Mahon. “We want to get it out, we want to talk to people about it.
“It’s really been about community coming together to support us, that’s what I’d like to put across, that we’re so appreciative,” Mahon said. “We’re so appreciative of the response we’ve received from the businesses, for entertainment, support and response and from Silvertip for their support.”
The gala, said Mahon, “is going to be fantastic, even without the great cause, because $65 for a three-course dinner, drum show, cocktail reception, DJ and a chance to just get out and have a good evening is a really great value.”
Gala tickets available atVermelho Hair, Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours and available from the Mahon’s at: [email protected] or call (403) 675-0127.
Tickets must be purchased before Sunday (Nov. 24).
