From Volunteer to Mother An Unplanned Journey in Uganda
Emilie Larter traveled to Uganda at 22 as a volunteer A decade later she and her partner Josh are raising four adopted children and fundraising to reunite the family in the UK against bureaucratic odds .
At age 22 British volunteer Emilie Larter traveled to Uganda in 2014 planning only a short term trip across multiple countries While working at an orphanage she formed a powerful bond with a five day old infant named Adam after being asked to care for him outside the high malaria risk village .
“When I was asked to help I completely fell in love” Emilie recalls
When she returned to the UK seven months later Emilie could not bear to leave Adam behind After working multiple jobs to fund her return she completed his adoption in Uganda and by 2019 brought him to the UK where Adam was eventually granted British citizenship .
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Building a Diverse Family in Uganda
During her time in Uganda Emilie became involved with a children’s home and a hospital where she met Josh the head of hospital security Their friendship soon turned into love .
The couple later welcomed two of Josh’s young cousins Tallie and George who initially came to stay temporarily but ended up becoming full time family members through local adoption In 2020 their family grew again with the arrival of James the younger sibling who completed their household of four children .
Even as their family flourished in Uganda Emilie and Josh dreamed of eventually building a life together in the UK Emilie settled in Worcestershire with Adam for a time while Josh remained in Uganda to complete the adoption processes for the other children .
Years of Separation and a Fragile Reunion
Between 2019 and late 2023 the family endured a long distance life separated by thousands of miles and endless paperwork Emilie focused on securing Adam’s UK citizenship while Josh finalized adoptions for Tallie George and James in Uganda .
By late 2023 Emilie and Adam returned to Uganda for a fragile but joyous reunion Together again the family renewed their determination to move as a unit to the UK .
The Fight to Return Launching a GoFundMe Campaign
Determined to bring their family to England the Larters launched a GoFundMe campaign with a target of £80000 approximately $106700 The funds will cover visa and legal fees adoption costs and essential relocation needs such as housing and transportation .
Emilie has used her growing presence on YouTube Instagram and TikTok to share their journey and inspire support Thousands have rallied behind the family offering encouragement and donations While Emilie admits she does not expect social media to cover every expense she believes in its power “Crazy things can happen when people come together online” .
Looking Ahead Maintaining Roots While Building New Beginnings
The Larters plan to begin their new chapter in Emilie’s hometown of Worcestershire However they remain committed to preserving strong ties to Uganda ensuring the children visit their paternal grandparents and remain connected to their heritage .