Germieke and Chiara

Chiara, can you tell us about being adopted?

It has so many aspects. Relation wise I do not know any better of course. My mum is my mum. I have one mum and she is in my eyes the best mum there is. She is amazing, so wise, loving, patient, creative and always listens to all my stories and questions. Also about being adopted, which must have been quite challenging to answer I guess. When I turned 20 my mum and dad took me and my sister to Colombia for a few weeks which I loved. I was over the moon being there, but also realised I am quite Dutch in many ways. Now I can experience the best of both countries.

Physically of course I see the differences. And that was quite a life challenge for me. I could not relate to my mum, but also not to my family, to my friends. But as positive minded as I am, I learned to celebrate me. And again I could always discuss my issues with my mum. I was quite early with puberty, breasts etc. and she stood by me in all those phases.

All my life people have told me they feel sorry for me being adopted. Well I never experienced it that way. Also I have been asked if I am not angry of my biological parents for giving me up for adoption? No I am not angry. They must have had their good reasons I am sure of that. Or people say I am lucky, I should be grateful being adopted. Well, I do not know to be honest. I do not know what a life in Colombia would have brought me. All I can say is that it is what it is, my path is my path. I have a wonderful life full of love and I cherish all and everyone in it.