Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Aug 20, 2009 6:17 pm US/Central
Texas Families Work To Help Sierra Leone Orphans
COLLEYVILLE (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
North Texas families are fighting to bring over orphans from the blood diamond wars of Sierra Leone and only one major hurdle stands in their way. The plan is to send the children back to Africa.
All 89 children at the Wellington Orphanage in Sierra Leone saw their parents murdered, but you wouldn't know it by their upbeat spirit.
In a visit to the orphanage in June, Tricia Lewis of Colleyville was captivated by 15-year-old Agnes who wants to be a lawyer. "When you ask her why do you want to be a lawyer [she says] it isn't for finances," explained Tricia. "[Agnes says] it's to right the wrongs that have happened in her country."
Tricia and her husband, Clint, are taking part in a North Texas-based program called Revive Africa. The eight families participating will take in an orphan for a year and then send them back.
"Because she was so little when she lost her parents. She doesn't know what it's like to be a wife or be a mother," Tricia said of Agnes. "We want to get her loved up, lots of hugs, lots of kisses."
Paul Shabay and his brother, Chris, founded Revive Africa. "We have dropped any ambitions for adopting children, but we thought to provide them with a year of education in America with incredible teachers," he said.
One crucial aspect into convincing both governments into allowing the kids to come over to America was to have an accredited school where they can learn. Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville stepped up and has done what it takes.
"We have businesses all over the metroplex who are willing to give these kids internships so they can learn," said Clint.
The last obstacle for the children – they must go before the U.S. Consulate and the Lewis family learned approval is only about a 33-percent chance, because of concern the kids won't return.
"It's like waiting for Christmas and you're not even sure if Christmas will come," Tricia said of the approval process. "The last thing I said to her when we left in June was that I was gonna come home and I was gonna fight."
Agnes will interview with the Consulate next week. Now Clint and Tricia can only hope and pray the teenager can soon join them in their home.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hollywood Hair
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
