Halifax couple desperately trying to adopt 3 children from Lebanon against a ticking clock

Victoria Joumaa’s Halifax home is filled with bedrooms furnished with single beds, each carefully decorated with personal touches for the children who do not live there. Soccer balls on the nightstands in one room, a pink owl clock and a plush panda toy in another — all waiting for their intended occupants. Joumaa wipes away tears as she speaks about her deep desire to bring her biological cousins, Anthony Makhlouf, 13, Charbel, 12, and Theresa, 6, to Canada.

These children have faced neglect and abuse for most of their lives due to their parents’ struggles with mental health issues and addiction, compounded by the trauma of living through war. Joumaa, who is already their legal guardian, has been fighting for the past five years to adopt them and provide them with a safe and loving home in Canada.

The urgency of the situation is palpable as the boys are set to leave their orphanage at the end of June, with no suitable place to go. Both biological parents willingly signed over their rights to Joumaa in December 2020, and Lebanese legal documents support their departure from the country without their biological parents.

Despite Joumaa’s efforts to navigate various adoption processes and visa applications, she has faced rejection and bureaucratic hurdles at every turn. Even reaching out to her member of Parliament, Lena Metlege Diab, who is now Canada’s minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship, did not yield any help. Joumaa’s immigration lawyer, Chantal Desloges, highlights the outdated nature of Canadian laws regarding adoption and immigration, which makes it challenging for cases like this to be resolved efficiently.

The emotional weight of the situation is evident in the letters of support from family members in Canada and Lebanon, all advocating for the children’s well-being and urging for their swift relocation to Canada. Joumaa’s dedication to her cousins is unwavering, as she has always played a parental role in their lives and is determined to provide them with a better future.

As the deadline looms, Joumaa and her partner, Jaya Meier, continue to fight for the children’s adoption, despite the numerous setbacks they have faced. The love and commitment they have for Anthony, Charbel, and Theresa shine through in every effort they make to bring them home. The bedrooms are ready, the closets are filled with clothing, and their hearts are open, waiting for the day when the children can finally be reunited with their family in Canada.