Photos: British teacher moves to Uganda to adopt boy she cared for while on her gap year

A British woman has moved to Africa to adopt a Ugandan boy she cared for while working at an orphanage during her gap year.

Emilie Larter, 25, started looking after Adam when his mother died from bleeding after he was born.

She got so close to him that when she returned to the UK she could not forget about him so decided to return to Uganda.

She took up a job as a teacher and now wants to adopt him so that she can bring him back to the UK.

She has set up a Gofundme page to pay for the legal fees.

Writing about her experience on the website she said: On the 15th September 2014, a 5 day old baby boy was placed into my arms. From that moment I knew my life had changed forever.

I had arrived in Uganda in August for a two-month volunteering stint for a children’s charity. I had just finished university and I had many other worldly adventures planned. However, life had a different plan for me.

It was just another morning at the children’s home; changing nappies, playing with children, organising the staff.. when we received a phone call. Several people had been trying to contact us. They told us a newborn baby was in desperate need. We got ready quickly and were on our way to Butagaya.

When we arrived, we realised there was a burial going on. A lady had died, leaving behind 7 children. The youngest was a baby boy; he was just 5 days old. His mother had died due to excessive bleeding after birth. He had not received any breast milk or formula and there was no one able to care for him. His mum left this world before even giving him a name.

We took him in and I became the little one’s sole carer. The sleepless nights were down to me, but they were no bother. I felt privileged to do it.

I extended my stay. I stayed with him for almost two months. We named him Adam. I didn’t do much but never a day went by where I was bored. I could sit and watch him for hours.

The time came for me to go home for a month for my graduation. It was not easy to leave. But when I returned – how he had grown! I spent a further 4.5 months in Uganda with him.

Come April 2015, I was to return home to be bridesmaid at a close friend’s wedding. I had also run out of money. I began some casual work back home and booked a flight back for a visit in June. I then landed a full-time teaching job in London, but flew out at Christmas and Easter. I would leave the country the minute the school holidays began.

These short visits were not enough. I soon began the process to foster Adam. In Uganda, you must foster before you adopt. To adopt, you must reside with the child in Uganda for at least one year.

There are very few international teaching positions in Jinja, Uganda. I was incredibly lucky to be offered a job in the only large international school in the area. In August 2016, I moved to Uganda for the foreseeable future.

Adam now lives with me. The joy he brings me every day is incredible.

Not only does he make me smile every day, but I have heard nothing but good reports on how he has been doing at nursery school. Since I have been back, he is happy, cries less and has grown a lot.

I cannot imagine a future without him in it. I was planning to reside here and save up to adopt him before being able to return to the UK.

Then, just before Christmas, I lost my job.

There are very limited positions for expats out here and despite searching, I have not yet found any options.

My incredibly supportive parents hope to help me to remain out here until I am able to return with Adam.

But first, I need the money to finish the adoption process. Lawyer fees, court fees.. it all adds up. I no longer have an income to be able to pay for this as I had originally intended.

I am asking for your help to bring Adam home. I am asking for your help to ensure we are not separated again. In the New Year, I hope so desperately to legally become Adam’s mum.

Any small amount you can spare is so gratefully received. Any money raised will be going towards the legal process of adoption. You can help us to become a family once and for all!