Sawubona. My name is Liz. I'm a single mom to my son, Théo, who came home from Haiti in 2019. He is the light of my life! Théo is eight and a joyful little boy. It would have been so much easier to get two kids at the same time, but then I most likely would have been matched with siblings instead of the perfect little boy for me.
Two years ago we started on the journey to grow our family. Haiti holds a special place in our hearts, of course, and we even speak a little Creole at home. Because of instability there right now I've decided to adopt from South Africa, another country I dearly love. My dossier is in Johannesburg and we're just waiting for a match. Théo says he'd like a little brother and a little sister and he's eager to go now. He also asked that they look like him. We are excited and hopeful.
There are a lot of expenses to adoption. I'm still paying off a loan for Théo's. I have a $7,600 fee due once we're matched and of course all the travel expenses. Right now most families have to stay in South Africa for four to five months! Any help to bring home our new sibling and child is sincerely appreciated.
I wish I had quilts for all of you that donated. Thank you for helping me feel loved and supported in my journey. Phyllis Malone won quilt #1, Alison Shadoin won quilt #2, and Alison Carlyle won #3. My mom took Phyllis's quilt home in her suitcase this morning and I just mailed the other two. All are enroute. If you didn't win, don't despair! Mom has already donated a fourth quilt and everyone who already donated will be entered into that raffle (unless you opt out). I'll probably raffle that one after we have a match (meaning after South Africa picks a child for our family). Because of your generosity I have more than half of my fees covered for the post placement reports! Those are due before Théo and I would travel to pick up our new family member. It is a huge relief to be able to pay that down. Thank you.
In order from left to right, Quilts 1, 2, and 3. Please let me know which you're interested in.
Quilt #2
Quilt #2, Approximately 65 inches by 65 inches.
I really wanted my next update to be that we've been matched with a child in South Africa. But the wait continues. Every time Theo outgrows something he makes me put it in a bin in the closet "for my new brother or sister" and he talks about Africa all the time. Theo and I are really hoping to be matched soon, but changes in the way South Africa handles international adoptions have added uncertainty and delays. My agency has increased their fees and added a large fee for those of us who have been waiting over two years. That fee is due June 1 so I'm hoping to raise some money raffling off these three quilts! Each quilt has been lovingly crafted by either my mom or me and my mom, who is the expert. Each $10 donation is one entry. Make sure you let me know which quilt or quilts you'd like your entries to go towards. Those of you who have already donated also let me know. The drawings will be on April 30. Include your contact information either in the note with your donation or in an email to me at [email protected]. Thank you so much for all of the support and good luck!
Quilt #1 is the large one, see pictures in the other update.
Quilt #2 is what I'd call a lap quilt, it's approximately 65 inches by 65 inches. I made the top to this one, but my talented mother quilted it and somehow made it a square.
Quilt #3 is the Hungry Caterpillar baby quilt measuring approximately 43 inches by 60 inches.
