SEVEN years ago, Jade and James made the 16,285 km journey from subtropical Durban to Calgary where winter lows hit the minus-thirties to meet their adoptive parents, Calgary fireman, Owen Watson, and his wife, Jolene.

The reports came back from time to time telling of how they had settled into their new environment exceptionally well. Quickly, making “snow angels” in the deep drifts of the white stuff became a favourite pastime. Strict media restrictions were put in place and both the new Canadians made great strides academically.

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Last week, close to World Adoption Day, which is celebrated in November each year, the Babies’ Home recently received an email from Owen describing how both are very healthy and are growing like weeds.

The email read: Jade, now 11, has all the attitude of a teenager and nine-year old James apparently could “power the entire city of Joburg on the amount of energy he expends in a day.

House mother at the Babies’ Home, Precious Thabethe, remembers the sister and brother clearly.

“It was purely by the grace of God that we discovered that they were siblings. They had come to us separately and it was only when someone with great sleuthing abilities picked up their relationship. So, when the Watsons enquired about adoption, Department of Social Development regulations about siblings having to be adopted together came into play”.

Jade and her brother James have become true Canadians.

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