Italian couple arrive to take adopted son home

Travel restrictions lifted

Alberto and Dossi Sinalda, who had been speaking to Mahendra over video calls for months, finally got to hug him and take him back home

He had only seen and spoken to them over video calls. But when Alberto and Dossi Sinalda walked through the doors, joy lent wings to Mahendra's feet and he ran to hug his parents.

The Sinaldas, who are in their mid-thirties, had adopted the almost six-year-old boy in March but lockdown kept them apart for so long. As restrictions eased, the couple finally flew in from Italy and arrived at the

orphanage on Tuesday to take their son home.

Dilip Mer, district officer of the District Child Protection Unit, said, "Their case is special because Mahendra suffers from clubfoot (birth defect in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position) in both feet. His

biological parents had surrendered him when he was two and a half years old. He was severely underweight and had developed speech problems too. He was treated for his clubfoot and speech impairment. This

helped him walk properly again. He also began gaining weight."

The Sinaldas live in a joint family in Villafontana in Italy. While Alberto is a metal worker, Dossi works as a salesgirl. The couple did not have any kids and decided to adopt Mahendra some time ago.

The adoption process was handled by the Missionaries of Charity, Paldi Shishu Gruh and the District Child Protection Unit.

The entire process got over in March but the lockdown and international travel restrictions imposed by both countries delayed their trip to India.

District Child Protection Office carried out process efficiently. Since Mahendra is child with special needs, we are happy he will have a good family taking care of him

Sandip Sagale, Ahmedabad Collector

During this time, the couple would regularly make video calls to Mahendra. They would show him their house and talk about their family. The couple did not know English, so they learnt the basics to communicate with

Mahendra. Meanwhile, the boy - who is five years and 11 months - was also given training to understand the basic nuances of English.

Mer said, "Once the restrictions were lifted, the couple got a special visa. The number of video calls were increased to create a bond between the child and the couple. Normally, couples in India hesitate to adopt kids

with special needs while foreigners choose to give such kids a better life. People here should come forward and adopt such kids."

Talking to Mirror, Ahmedabad Collector Sandip Sagale said, "The District Child Protection Office carried out the process efficiently. Since Mahendra is a child with special needs, we are happy that he will have a good

family taking care of him. We are happy for him and the couple."

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