Big-hearted Renton gran off on Belize aid mission

Nov 14 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

A RENTON woman who adopted three Central American children is returning to the country to make a difference to more youngster’s lives.

Grandmother Shona Hodgson first lived in Belize 17 years ago when her husband George was stationed there with the navy.

They immediately fell in love with the children they met at the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre – and decided to adopt three siblings.

Shona said: “I never went to Belize thinking I would adopt a child, I already had two daughters, Grace and Cathie.

“But as soon as I met Joel and his sisters Yvette and Keisha there was a connection and I wanted to make a difference to their lives.”

The family moved back to Jamestown, where the three children – the first Belizean children to be adopted in Scotland – attended St Mary’s Primary, Alexandria.

But when Shona’s husband George died four years later, the family moved down south to start a new life.

However, despite being happy in her new life, Shona always knew she would return to Belize.

“It’s like my other home,” she said.

“I love it there, the people and, of course, the children and the centre hold a very special place in my heart.”

Once Joel, Keisha and Yvette had grown up, Shona decided it was time to return to Belize and, although adoption wasn’t in her plans, she soon bonded with one very special girl – 12-year-old Siera.

“I wanted to take care of Siera, she had such a terrible life in so many ways. She wasn’t receiving the correct education and she was barely allowed to leave her home,” explained Shona.

“So, because I wasn’t able to adopt her, I took her out on regular day trips and I paid for her education for the next few years to make sure she was being cared for properly.”

Working at the centre and taking care of Siera occupied much of Shona’s time in Belize for the two years she lived there, but three months ago she decided it was time to return to Renton.

She said: “I always knew I would come back to Renton eventually – it is my home after all.”

Now Shona is returning for a short trip to Central America to give a little something back to the people she has spent so much time helping.

“I’m taking over children’s clothes and all sorts of other things. People have been so kind – I’ve had so much stuff I’ve even been able to make up layettes for the centre,” she said.

“At this rate I will have to go back every three weeks with the donations people have made!”

Shona would like to thank everyone who has kindly donated to Belize over the years.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the centre should send it to Shona at Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre, Cor St Thomas & 19th Street, Belize City, Belize.