Hope for victims of failed adoption agency

Precious Yutangco

A Toronto-based mining company has donated $100,000 to keep an Ethiopian orphanage afloat, giving hope to Canadians in the process of adopting children living there.

Many companies have offered donations to help would-be parents left heartbroken when Imagine Adoption filed for bankruptcy July 13, said BDO Dunwoody Ltd., the trustee handling the bankruptcy.

However, the large donation given by Yamana Gold Inc. should be enough to keep the Addis Ababa facility afloat. It currently houses 43 children already matched with potential Canadian parents.

The gift will ensure the well-being of children already matched with potential parents. BDO Dunwoody has said they will continue to negotiate with licensing government offices, stakeholders and other organizations who can help those not yet matched with a child.

The trustee will continue its efforts until a creditors' meeting Thursday when they will discuss their next plan of action.

Parents made a tearful plea in front of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services in Toronto last Friday. "Children's lives are at stake," said Christine Starr, chair of Families Of Imagine Adoption.

Up to 450 families across Canada were left in the lurch when the Kids Link International Adoption Agency, which operated under the name Imagine Adoption, folded.