Sue said overseas adoption had always been in the back of her mind but the couple began seriously considering the option after meeting children who had been adopted from other countries.

After joining a small group involved in establishing an overseas adoption program, and setting the adoption process in motion, they eventually adopted Isaac, then five months old.

Sue said he was quite unwell when the family first embraced him.

“At two months he had bronchiolitis,” she said.

“They had no antibiotics over there so he got worse.

“When we got him back to Australia, he was put on antibiotics and got well, but they nearly lost him at two months.”

Sue said Isaac forged ahead after the rough start with his health and the Year 9 Ormiston College student and Capalaba Scouts member now shows promise as a pianist and singer.

“We’re not musical at all but Isaac is extremely talented in music,” she said.

To Sue and David, being opened to another culture was one of the highlights of international adoption.

“We’re part of the Australian-African Children’s Support and Aid group and we go to their functions and they sometimes have African cook-ups.

“We also go to a camp at Mapleton, where all the cultures come together, every January,” Sue said.

“The kids all have a great time there.”

The Donnan family is also travelling to Ethiopia later this year.

Sue said she and David would have adopted from overseas again had they not had two biological children following Isaac’s adoption.

“We were in the process of adopting again to get our little Ethiopian princess when I fell pregnant,” she said.

“Then we started a third time and I fell pregnant again.

“But I would definitely do it again.

“It’s a great way to form a family.”