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Karyn Arnauld-Bakelaar
Founder & Director (South Africa)
Karyn has worked in the field of inter-country adoption for over 16-years; developing and managing adoption programs in Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Jamaica and India. She spearheaded the first Canadian adoption program for families open to adopting children living with HIV, and collaborated with international authorities in the areas of family law and immigration.
Karyn holds a Master's Degree in South African Law and Post-conflict Inter-generational Trauma, and has completed various certifications on the neurobiology of early trauma, addiction counselling, and trauma-informed parent coaching. During her career, she created and facilitated several workshops and education training programs for adoptive and foster families, as well as for social workers and mental health professionals that work with children with an early trauma history.
In 2004, she co-created the Families with Children from South Africa network along with three other adoptive families and has presented at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) Conference on maintaining cultural ties to your child’s country of birth. She has published articles on various topics such as human rights and adoption, as well as allyship and social justice for adoptive families.
She is the mother of three children; one by birth, and two by adoption. Her parenting experience led to a passion and life-long learning in the area of early-trauma and its impact on every aspect of a child's development. She believes in parenting with hope, and a caregiver's knowledge of the "why" behind a child's behaviour is the most empowering information a parent can hold. She believes that the three "A's" of caregiving (attuned, authentic and attached) could change the world.
She has spent extensive time living and working in her sons’ country of birth, South Africa, where she now resides with her partner on a small-holding in rural KwaZulu Natal (and is working on her isiZulu).
Darian Bakelaar
Founder & Director (Canada)
Darian first fell in love with South Africa when she travelled there as a child. She is the older sister of two brothers by adoption, and lived in South Africa for a year as a child – when their family first visited on a backpacking and volunteer trip. She has spent much of her adult life exploring the world, most recently travelling to Mozambique, Turkey, and Thailand.
Darian graduated from Algonquin College with a Law Clerk Diploma, and has worked as a Senior Paralegal for over 10 years in the field of international law. In her work experience she has developed strong skills in project management, client service, organization, leadership and team work.
As a parent to one child by birth, she deeply values empathetic parenting and raising children with a strong sense of social responsibility and awareness of the impacts of social structures and privileges. Her parenting journey is rooted in the principles of understanding and compassion, fostering a nurturing environment where kindness and a passion for social justice and change are key. Darian currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
Thabiso Bakelaar
Adoptee Support, isiZulu Lessons, In-country Guide
Thabiso ("bringer of happiness" in isiZulu) was the first child to be adopted from South Africa to Canada in 2002 at the age of 3. His adoption firmly established the South African adoption program for Mission of Tears (now Family by Adoption), opening the door for all subsequent adoptions to occur. He spent his next few years living in Squamish, BC, until his family moved to Ottawa, Canada.
He spent many hours attending events held by the Families with Children from South Africa network and enjoyed mentoring younger adoptees when called to do so. He has relearned his mother-tongue language of isiZulu, and now offers language lessons to adoptees and their families. He resides in Ballito, South Africa.
Majola Madikwa
In-country Guide, Searcher & isiXhosa Lessons
Zamajola is originally from the Eastern Cape and is a proud Xhosa who grew up in Cato Ridge, KwaZulu Natal. He spent most of his childhood being cared for in a Children’s Home, and so has a unique understanding of children who begin their lives this way. He is excited to travel with our families and get to know them from this unique perspective.
Siyabonga Manana
Searcher and In-country Guide
Siyabonga "Bonga" is an artist, musician, and father of three beautiful children. Bonga has a diploma in business outsourcing and administration, as well as a diploma in television, video and film production. He is passionate about helping children to reconnect with their first families and their culture of origin. He is a proud Zulu man with traditional values; he currently resides outside of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal.
Ceemba Mdlalose
Driver, Searcher and In-country Guide
Welcome to TMP Adoption Agency, where we believe that every child deserves a loving family. We are committed to helping children in need find permanent homes where they can thrive. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing support and guidance to families throughout the adoption process. We understand that adoption can be a complex and emotional journey, and we are here to help every step of the way. We are proud of the many families we have helped create over the years, and we look forward to helping even more in the future.
