2018 Picnic

Our annual picnic was held in the sunshine on Saturday, 8 September 2018 in Oullins, in the Rhône region.

Over 200 people enjoyed getting together to share their experience of adoption, with its joys and difficulties, find common ground, chat about countries of origin, daycare centres, and play together…

A few brothers and sisters who had been separated at the time of their adoption were reunited.

Children, teenagers, adoptive parents, parents awaiting an adoptee, and association volunteers – a wide range of people with colourful profiles from all over France, who shared the wonderful adventure of adopting via COFA Lyon.

After a traditional drinks party organised by the school chaplaincy and the brightly coloured Columbian and Haitian handicrafts sale, Anne Montel, our president, celebrated our wide-ranging variety in her speech. She presented an overview of international adoption today and explained our mission: to offer the best possible support for families who entrust us with the joy of becoming parents.

Afterwards, everyone took advantage of the shaded park to share a picnic. The children then joined in some unforgettable football matches. Some of them had a go at coconut shy and air rifle shooting.

At the end of the day, everyone went home, bolstered by the joy of coming together and identifying with other life experiences, and with renewed energy from the group.