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8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, January 21, 1986 They're not out to save the world, but Connells enjoy helping less f Clayton and Rosemary Connell. have always wanted to do something to help less fortunate ~ children in Third World countries. But unlike most people, this Port Perry couple was not content just to sponsor a child with a few dollars each month, or make a donation to a relief agency. Over the past four years, the Con- nells have endured miles of red tape and considerable personal expense to bring four children from different corners of the world to Canada to be part of their family. About four years ago, they first welcomed Lien, now 17, and her younger brother Tuan from a crowded refugee camp in Maylasia where the two children had spent nearly a year after fleeing their native Viet Nam by boat. The two youngsters have adapted well to their new life in Canada, picked up English very quickly and attend Paul Dwyer High School in Oshawa. "But we kept asking ourselves if there is something more that we could be doing," said Clayton in an interview with the Star last week. So last March, they began to make enquiries through Limiar, a private agency based in Ohio, about the possibility of adopting children from South America. Early in December, they were notified to be in Sao Paolo, Brazil by mid-month where two young or- phaned brothers were waiting for: adoption. The Connells immediately flew to Sao Paolo and then spent eight days in the Brazilian city signing papers and documents. They had to appear - in a court where a Brazilian judge made the final decision that the two young brothers should be allowed to start a new life in Canada. Although it was a time consuming process, Mrs. Connell said things went "very smoothly" and eight days later, five year old Carlos and eight year old Cristiano were on a plane for Canada with their new parents. The .two brothers had never 'known their father. Their mother had died of hepatitis. With no other blood relatives in the city, the boys were probably destined to grow up in an orphanage. 'Despite the fact the temperature was over 100 degrees when they left Brazil and well below freezing when they arrived in Port Perry just before Christmas, the two young brothers are fitting in well at the Connell household. "The first time the youngest boy saw me, he grabbed me by the leg and called me Pa. He's still calling me Pa,' said Clayton. They don't seem to mind the cold "weather and the snow, but. they haven't quite got used to the fact that putting on heavy winter clothing is a necessity. The boys have never attended - school, but are now enrolled in Kindergarten and grade 1 at Im- maculate Conception. Getting a command of the English language will be the first priority. More than a year ago, the Con- nells had been involved in long negotiations to adopt four youngsters from a family in war- torn El Salvador. "We were notified to go to the air- port to meet them, but for some reason, everything fell through right at the last moment,' said Clayton. The Connells were never told just why the plans fell apart and they have no idea what happened to those four children who lost both parents in the fighting in El Salvador. With four adopted children, and four biological kids (the Connells use 'this word when referring to Elizabeth, 12, John, 11, Erin-10 and Mike, 9) the household is an active one. Mr. Connell teaches woodworking at Port Perry High School and Mrs. Connell is a grade 1 teacher at Im- maculate Conception School. Clayton and Rosemary say the fact that they are teachers has helped make it possible for them to adopt the four kids from overseas. The family owns a four-plex in Port Perry and lives in two of the units which gives them six bedrooms and two bathrooms. "We really needed that extra bathroom," said Clayton with a smile. "With just one bathroom, there was a line-up in the mornings." When asked why exactly they have taken the steps and the ex- pense to adopt four children from - far-off lands, Clayton and Rosemary say they are motivated by a love for children and the desire to help those less fortunate. Clayton admits candidly that some people in Canada don't seem to understand. "We are sometimes asked if we are trying to save the world, or why we don't do something for kids in Canada." His answer is that they are not out to "save the world" and there are all kinds of social and government agencies working for less fortunate children in Canada. "This (adopting children) is something we are able to do and something we want to do," he said. It's not an easy process to legally adopt children from overseas countries. ; The Connells had to have a _-- done by a professional social worker to determine that they are "fit" to be adoptive parents. Just about every letter and piece of documen- tation must have a lawyer's stamp on it. Dealing with immigration departments here and abroad can be a lengthy and sometimes frustrating experience. The red tape seems endless. "Sometimes I think all the red tape and delays are thrown up on 'LAKESIDE Top quality equipment - We install and service. FOR INFORMATION & DEMONSTRATION CALL: ELECTRONICS Enjoy the winter with SATELLITE T.V. . Over 100 channels of news, movies, Christian broadcasting, sports, educational programming, many 24 hours a day. Drake, M/A Com, Scientific Atlanta, Uniden, with one year guarantee on equipment and installation. 985-2652 The Connell family of Port Perry grew by two more last month with the adoption of five year old Carlos (seated right) and his eight year old brother Cristiano from a Brazilian orphanage. The Connells already had two adopted children, Tuan, 16 and Lien, 17 from Viet Nam. Clayton purpose to test us, to see just how committed we are," said Rosemary with a smile. Obviously, Clayton and Rosemary . believe that the frustrations and red tape are more than made up when children ar- better life. The Connells first became involv- ed with overseas children several years ago while living in Lindsay. They volunteered to look after ~ children from Viet Nam while the parents were attending school dur- ing the day. They are from the Lindsay area originally and it's not surprising that they both come from large families. Clayton is from a family of eight kids and Rosemary had a dozen brothers and sisters in her family. Here in Port Perry, their children are very active in music and sports (it seems we are always driving somebody to a lesson or a game, says Rosemary). The family recently purchased an old lodge on 15 acres of land in Haliburton and that has become their retreat during the summer months, weekends and school holidays. It gives the family a chance to do things together like cross country skiing arid hiking, swimming and boating. 'And the best thing is no radio or television," said Clayton with a laugh. And he recalled with a chuckle the time last summer when the family arrived and all the children were wearing school t-shirts. "The neighbours must have XL GAS BAR| 6 Union St. - Port Perry - 985-8513 JANUARY - SPECIAL - FREE Gasline Antifreeze with 320.00 FILLUP ~ MONDAY to THURSDAY ONLY OPEN 24 HOURS (air pump available) "en the chance at a thought we were opening some kind of a summer camp," he said. In this day and age when three children is considered a "large" family, the Connells turn a few heads when they file out of their 12-passenger van. Do they have any further plans for the future? Mr. Connell said that some day he would like to travel to a Third World country and put his carpentry and construction skills to use on a building project of some kind. " ortunate kids (18 Vall \ il and Rosemary, both teachers, have four children of their own: Erin, 10; Mike, 9 and John 11, seated at left; and 12 year old Elizabeth, stan- ding at centre. "We have always wanted to help less fortunate children," said Clayton in an in- terview last week (see story). But for the time being, he and Rosemary are going to be busy enough with their own family at home. HOSPITAL REPORT January 10 - 16 Admissions ..................... -- 30 Births... 3 Deaths ................... a eshrrrnpnnerenes 1 Emergencies .......................... 234 Operations ...... PTI FT 10 Discharge .................ccccoeee 26 Remaining ...................... ETI 41 PIR LE ALL PURSES ALL SLIPPERS . ALL FALL & WINTER BOOTS - PUMPS - FLATS 2% 50% Off cine... 19% OFF -- SHOP EARLY FOR BEST SELECTION -- DURHAM SHOES inc. 230 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY YOUR FOOTWEAR SPECIALISTS FOR LADIES, TEENS, ANO CHILDREN stata ae aS i AR a ie Ap SEs. os Ge MI os 5 i ME BI lA Silos i fai " LL ie mint aiinbis 3 E os ad pF a CN PEALE NTS ens i AIRS. La EA Nip I co i ot nth ot i pr bic so cud a SG 40 onl ST pm hl