Local mom meets adopted Congolese son for the first time
DYERSBURG, Tenn. — Local mom, April Lloyd, is fighting to bring her up adopted son home after meeting him for the first time in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this month. April and her husband Jason adopted Samuel from the Congo in November 2012. Since then, the Congolese government is not allowing adopted children to leave the country because of an investigation. “Even the state department has criticized parents for signing on to adopt in such an unstable country,” Jason Lloyd said. “I didn’t think it would be that great and he would cling to me,” April said. The Lloyds said children in countries like the Congo have a bigger need. They say meeting Samuel for the first time after more than a year since adopting him makes it all worth it. “It goes against logic how we can love a child that much and he could love us back,” April said. Since we last spoke with the Lloyds in April, Jason said Secretary of State, John Kerry, is now involved, urging the DRC President to issue exit letters. He said some U.S. families have been able to bring back their children home from the Congo, but there are still more than 450 families stuck in the process. April will be going to Washington D.C. on Monday with the advocacy group, Both Ends Burning, to talk to Congress about the issues.
