Red tape strands adopted twins in Ebola-ravaged Sierra Leone
Canadian government's assistance making matters worse, Alberta couple says
The holiday season has only brought anxiety and frustration for an Alberta couple trying to get their adopted twins out of Ebola-ravaged Sierra Leone.
Kayt and Stefan Mahon legally adopted Grace and Leo from an orphanage in the West African nation, but have faced a mountain of red tape getting their children to Canada.
"I know that if something were to happen to them [Grace and Leo], we would be notified," Kayt Mahon told CBC News. "I know that they are doing their very best, but we don't get updates or pictures anymore."
The Canmore couple adopted the two-year-olds 10 months ago, but the bureaucratic thicket they faced in getting the children Sierra Leonean passports grew thicker as the Ebola epidemic spread.
"We tried to speak to the twins' house-mom — we called them," Stefan Mahon said. "It's very difficult — this is one of the things where Ebola's affecting all aspects of the life, you know."
"She can't get minutes on her phone — there's no in-and-out of the orphanage," Kayt added.
After the CBC aired the Mahons' story in August, the Canadian Immigration Centre offered assistance, but the couple say the government agency is only making matters more difficult by asking Sierra Leone for more documents.
"The [Sierra Leonean] government has put a ban on travel," Stefan Mahon said, "so if we need to get something from Freetown, which is 4½ hours by car, it's almost impossible."
A CIC-imposed Feb. 15, 2015 deadline to complete the process is adding tremendous pressure, the couple say.