Woman Is Handed a Baby Right at His Mother's Funeral, Works 3 Jobs to Become His Mom

A single young woman craved new and exciting experiences in life, harboring no thoughts of motherhood at all. Unbeknownst to her, the biggest adventure was just around the corner and one that would change her life most unexpectedly.

They say life happens to us when we're busy making other plans. When things don't go according to our heartfelt desires and wishes, we often feel a myriad of emotions, including disappointment, pain, confusion, and hopelessness.

But we might forget that sometimes, the most heartwarming moments we experience are products of pure coincidence. Extracting joy from life's endless surprises and sheer unpredictability can be a wonderful stroke of luck, and today's story centers around something similar.

A TRUE EXPLORER

Emilie Larter from Worcestershire, England, had no idea what fate had in store for her, at least not in the beginning. Before entering university and even during her university life, she had embarked on many trips. She wished to travel her whole life and had an adventurous streak.

After finishing university, she flew to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Then, her friend flew out to meet her, and together, they traveled around, enjoyed safari rides, and relaxed at the beaches in Zanzibar.

WORKING AS A VOLUNTEER

After her friend left, Larter headed to Uganda in August 2014, where she had booked a two-month trip to volunteer in a children's home. She had plans to go down to South Africa and several other countries afterward. However, her plans were interrupted by an unexpected happening.

By this time, she had landed a teaching job, and seeing the kids around her reminded her of the seven-month-old baby she had left behind.

According to Larter, volunteering at the children's home was hard work but rewarding. She changed diapers, helped kids with their meal times, and kept them entertained. She had only been there for a month when the home manager received a phone call.

THINGS TOOK A STRANGE TURN

It turned out that a mother in the Butagaya village had tragically died, leaving behind seven children, including a newborn. Shortly afterward, Larter and the other volunteers arrived at the young mother's burial, where something strange happened. Larter recalled:

"A 5-day old baby was placed into my arms. I was only 22 years old but, at that moment, my life as I knew it changed."

A neighbor handed the little boy to Larter and told her there was no one to take care of him. The baby didn't even have a name. Larter took him to the children's home, where the charity director asked her to become the newborn's primary caregiver. Without any hesitation, she agreed to take care of him.

EXTENDING HER STAY

The moment Larter unwrapped the tiny baby from the bundle of blankets he was in, she fell in love with him. The baby boy was given the name "Adam." Soon, Larter became so attached to Adam that she extended her stay. She recollected:

"Adam slept in a cot next to my bed, loved being cuddled and would cry if I wasn’t around. His siblings all went to live with friends or neighbours, and everyone told me not to get attached, but I ended up extending my stay to look after him."

THE HARDEST GOODBYE

During that time, the thought of adoption crossed her mind, but Larter let it go because she was young, a fresh university graduate, and had not even landed her first job. She also knew about the adoption laws in Uganda and how rare it was for a single female to adopt a male child.

Larter showered Adam with tender love and care for seven months and raised money to buy his milk, diapers, and clothes. But in April 2015, the young woman knew it was time to leave Uganda. Something tugged at her heartstrings, and she knew it was her love for Adam.

Back home in the UK, Larter couldn't stop thinking about Adam. By this time, she had landed a teaching job, and seeing the kids around her reminded her of the seven-month-old baby she had left behind.

HEART-BREAKING NEWS

Larter also enrolled Adam at a British nursery school in Uganda and continued funding his baby formula, diapers, and clothing. Then, one day, she received a heart-shattering message. Adam was in the hospital suffering from severe malaria. Larter recounted:

"I called my Dad in floods of tears. All I wanted at that moment was to be there with him [Adam], comforting him and making sure he was okay. It was then that I realized I could do this no longer. I would find a way. I loved him more than anything."

GOING BACK

On Christmas 2015, Larter went to Uganda and met social workers to help her with adopting Adam. She also worked hard to ensure she could provide for Adam and pursue his adoption without any hurdles. Larter revealed:

"I juggled three jobs – teaching, bar work and care work – seven days a week, so I could save up and return to Uganda. I spoke to a lawyer, who said once I’d adopted Adam in Uganda, I’d have to formally adopt him in the UK, too, under immigration law."

In August 2016, Larter packed her suitcases and moved to Uganda to be close to Adam, who had turned 23 months old but loved her all the same. However, only months after moving in, Larter lost her job and became worried about how she would raise little Adam.

GROWING HER FAMILY

It was then that a colleague suggested Larter create a GoFundMe page. Several people rallied in support within a few days, and she had enough money to complete the adoption process. Larter's family also offered to support her living cost until she found another job.

During this time, Larter said she met a man named Josh via the children's home and entered into a relationship with him. She noted that Josh was kind and sweet with Adam. Shortly afterward, Josh moved in with them in October 2016.

In September 2018, Larter was thrilled to receive an adoption hearing in Kampala, but her happiness turned to sadness when it got canceled. Soon, Josh's cousins, George, three, Tallie, two, and James, one, came to live with her as their parents were too unwell to look after them.

MAKING THINGS OFFICIAL

After canceled court dates and two failed court hearings, Larter stood before a judge in December 2018, and seven months later, Adam was officially declared her son. The little boy she first held in her arms five years ago finally became her family, and Larter's feelings at that moment were indescribable.

After a long and tiring process of obtaining adoption orders, written ruling, and other necessary paperwork, Adam's Ugandan adoption was finalized at the end of November 2020. He finally had his passport and was granted a UK visa.

THE DOTING GRANDPARENTS

In January 2021, after almost four and a half years of living in Uganda, the mother-son duo flew to the UK to start a new chapter of their lives. The pair started living in Leigh Sinton with Larter's parents, who were delighted to meet their grandson. Larter's father, Peter, expressed:

"He [Adam] has settled in really well and he is a really loveable boy. His energy levels are amazing so it is tiring but it is good, we wouldn't want it any other way."

Moreover, Larter's mom, Jacqueline, shared, "Now that he's here... I wouldn't have it any other way, he's our grandson, and that's it."

WORTHY OF A CELEBRATION

Although Larter had officially adopted Adam in Uganda, the adoption was not recognized in the UK, which meant she had to start the process all over again. After several visits to social workers and many court hearings, Larter was declared Adam's legal mother in December 2021.

The happy news came just before Christmas, and Larter was over the moon to know that Adam was her son in both their home countries. She said:

"My baby boy, totally unplanned, totally unexpected. I was just 22 when he was placed into my arms at 5 days old. 7 years and 4 months later, he was forever mine and I was forever his."

ENDURING THE SEPARATION

But while Adam remained with Larter in the UK, her life partner, Josh, and their three adopted children remained in Uganda. Being apart from the rest of her family deeply hurt Larter, but she hoped to be reunited with them eventually.

Through it all, Larter said she was immensely grateful for meeting Adam and welcoming him into her heart and home. Regarding her journey, she added:

"I didn't 'save' him. I’m not the hero of this story. I just held a baby in my arms and fell in love. I chose love over everything else. After all, love IS what matters."

A LIVELY YOUNGSTER

According to his adoptive mom, Adam is exceptionally kind and caring and loves his family. He also loves animals and is a talented sportsman. Larter is immensely proud of her son and looks back on her journey with nothing but gratitude.

This phenomenal story teaches us that sometimes, unexpected encounters can bring complete strangers together and forge lasting connections. We hope that Larter and Adam reunite with Josh and the other three kids and continue inspiring the world with their positivity.

If this story touched your heart, please share it with your loved ones. Click here to read another story about a selfless teenager who left her home and became a single mom of 54 kids.