Peggy and Devlin – My journey with my adopted son
by Peggy Taillon
It’s been a little over 16 years, after a life changing motor cycle ride tested faith and determination; uniting an unlikely family and setting in motion a constellation of connections guided by the one of a kind bond between mother and son.
Over the years, we have updated you on how life continues to evolve for Devlin and Peggy Taillon, their family in Kenya, the people and projects that continue to shape their lives; and how their mission and commitment continues to grow.
First a reminder of their harrowing journey to become a family: Devlin’s 14 year old birth mom, an orphan herself, unable to care for him; meeting Peggy days after landing in Kenya with her dear friend Wendy who knew the family. Peggy deciding to pursue adoption only to find that it is rare, relatively untested and fraught with challenging provisions including a prohibition on single parent adoption. Peggy, whose love for her son is so great, pressed forward through an echoing chorus of no’s and so many challenges, going all the way to the Supreme Court in Kenya where they were eventually declared a family after 15 agonizing months.
To honour that gift, they created an organization, HERA Mission, Hera means love in Devlin’s tribal language of Luo, and is his middle name. Hera Mission partners with organizations and groups in Kenya, East Africa and Canada who are committed to creating healthy, prosperous communities through initiatives focused on education, entrepreneurship, health interventions, infrastructure and development for Black, African women and children. For them it is a blessing to have these deep connections and shared purpose.
Both Peggy and Devlin would say that their annual trip home to Kenya in August 2022 was one of their most meaningful. After a two year absence due to covid coming home was truly a journey of the heart.
The impact of covid, not unlike in other parts of the world has been challenging, but in communities, already struggling, it hit hard. Poverty and inequality make everything harder, covid peers on vulnerability. Collaborations with their partners are even more important than ever.
Devlin’s birth family has grown with the birth of three new siblings making him the proud big brother of four. He loves his siblings:
Denisha (Precious), Damien, Dylan and baby Daya all of whom he named.
Devlin continues to follow his passion for basketball, proudly playing in his second year with Canada Top Flight Academy, cheering on his beloved Raptors and enjoying grade 10 at St.Pius.
He is stepping into a greater understanding of the promise that was made all those years ago when his mom took him in her arms for the first time. He understands that he is a Black, African, Kenyan, Canadian; he is proud and deeply connected to his beloved heritage. Devlin knows part of his life’s purpose is very connected to Kenya, he sees himself using his love of sport and what he’s learned from Hera Mission, Top Flight Academy and Giants of Africa to drive development in Kenya. His many mentors have taught him the value of service and that the good you do will be returned to you in infinite ways.
He knows he stands on the shoulders of those who came before, who struggled, suffered, persevered, rose above and shaped the path he now walks on. The promise that was made all those years ago is in his hands and it is becoming clear to those who watch that he is more than capable of keeping
Peggy Taillon
Founder and President HERA Mission www.heramission.org @heramission 613-769-5499