Bitter Sweet GHANA

That date and time seems so long ago!

During the intervening years we were trying to obtain a visa for his mother who was very sick and needed medical attention and was hospitalised. During those preparations the mother passed away and the three children were left with no immediate family members to care for them.

This young Australian, 25 years old, wanted desperately to have his three siblings join him in Australia. He is intelligent, gifted and extremely talented and has the whole world at his feet, but he was determined to make sure that his siblings would be taken care of then and into the future.

How was it now possible? The wait time would have been enormous in terms of migration and the eligibility criteria and the length of time for a decision on an application.

It was decided that this young man would adopt the children. The adoption took place.

A child orphan subclass 117 was applied for and lodged on 23 July 2014 in Ghana. We waited! Policed clearances and health checks were requested.

Finally, 5 April 2016 notification was received that the visas had been granted to two of the younger children.

They arrived in our office on Friday 24 June 2016. A joy to behold! They came with broad smiles with dad/brother in tow with an even broader smile. They presented me with a gift and I am wearing it in the photo. A traditional Ghana male garment is used for celebrations. It is all hand woven in wool and hand stitched. Something to treasure that will provide many memories.

Sweetness is the result of much hope, perspiration and determination. Bitterness is the loss of their mother and the non-grant of the older brother’s visa application.

The wonder of this young man and the love he has for his young family. He will find a further sweetness as the end result of his older sibling/child come and live with them in Australia as an Australian family all the way from Ghana.