Filling spot in the family helps fill need in Ethiopia Spaghetti dinner March 8 will raise funds to offset adoption costs BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer With Michele and Ronnie Conte are (from left) Jonah, NoelleJoy, Faith and Christian. And soon to arrive is Yohannes, 3, who is being adopted from Ethiopia. OLD BRIDGE - While Michele and Ronnie Conte know they cannot adopt every one of the 143 million orphans in the world, they are determined to do everything they can to help alleviate the problem. "In the Bible, God tells us to care for the orphans, and I guess we really take that to heart," Michele said. "I guess if more people would consider [adopting] one, that number would go down." The Old Bridge couple has gone beyond that, adopting two children - Faith, 5, and NoelleJoy, 4 - to add to their family of two biological offspring, Christian, 10, and Jonah, 6. In April, the Conte clan will once again expand to include Yohannes, a 3-year-old boy from Ethiopia. "There is a very special need in Ethiopia," Michele said. "In fact, 80 percent of the children in Ethiopia will die before the age of 5." Due to a devastating AIDS epidemic there, many Ethiopian children are left orphaned. A general lack of medical care also contributes to their poor chance for survival. In beginning their search for a child, the Contes reached out to the Saint Louisbased Hope Adoption Agency, which specializes in finding homes for Ethiopian children. The Ethiopian man Michele spoke with on the phone explained the crisis going on there, and talked about the children he knew. "When this guy talks about the kids, you can see the smile on his face, and the heart he has for these children is just amazing," Michele said. Since most people looking to adopt seek out infants, the Contes decided to look for an older child in need. The family saw Yohannes' profile, and knew he was the one. "How do you look at a 3-year-old child's profile in Ethiopia and say no," Michele said. Even the Conte children are looking forward to meeting their new little brother, according to Michele. When NoelleJoy saw his photograph, she said his name would be John, Michele said. Since Yohannes translates to John in English, the couple saw it as a sign of sorts. "She wakes up every day and asks, 'When is Jonathan coming home?'" Michele said. "She's so excited." Michele will travel to Ethiopia in April with her friend of the same name to complete the adoption process, while Ronnie stays home with the children. The other Michele, a massage therapist, will be doing her part to help the children. She plans to visit orphanages to provide babies with massage therapy, as well as to train staff there to massage the children for enhanced health and well-being, Michele said. With round-trip airfare costing $1,600, along with myriad other fees involved in the adoption, the Contes are expecting costs to total about $18,000. By looking into grants and programs for adoptive parents, Michele came across LifeSong for Orphans, a religious organization that helps soften the blow of adoption costs by matching funds raised by those looking to adopt. Michele said the group will match up to $3,000 of funds raised. With help from family, friends and fellow church members, the Contes have planned a spaghetti dinner in hopes of offsetting some of the financial burden involved in their quest to give a permanent home to yet another child.Asuggested donation of $15 provides admission to the event, but those looking to help further are welcome to contribute more. To help with past adoption costs, the Contes have taken a loan on their home, as well as raised funds through another community-based event. Faith was adopted domestically, but NoelleJoy came from China, presenting a larger financial output for the couple. A Board Break-AThon hosted in 2004 by the Black Belt Academy, Route 516, helped them make it to the total $25,000 mark for NoelleJoy's adoption. The event raised a total of $4,700, including the academy owner's 50- percent matching contribution. "That was tremendous," Conte said. Now, with four children to care for, adoption costs have become more of a difficult prospect for the couple, but not enough to stand in their way. "To me, it's so amazing," Michele said. "I've given birth, and it's amazing to give birth, because you expect the child to have your smile and to look like you. But when you adopt a child from across the world and they're a perfect fit for your family even though they don't smile like you and look like you, that's so amazing, because you know that only God could have done that." According to Michele, when she and Ronnie were first dating, their shared concern for orphans helped to foster the bond of love between them. Though they share a passion for helping these children, Michele said she will look for ways aside from adopting to bring aid to them in the future. "I think my husband thinks five is enough," Michele said, laughing. Somehow, amidst the full-time job of caring for four, soon to be five, young children, Michele finds the time to host a monthly adoption support group at their home. There, adoptive parents come together and relate while their children mingle and do much of the same. As for the couple's own children, Michele said she and Ronnie have been doing their best to prepare them for their new brother's arrival, as he will likely take some time to adjust to what amounts to a whole different world for him. The spaghetti dinner will be held March 8 at the Cheesequake First Aid Squad, 123 Route 34, from 4 to 7 p.m. Those planning to attend should call Michele in advance at (732) 679-3211; however, all who show up at the time of the event will be welcomed. To make a direct donation, make checks payable to LifeSong for Orphans and send toMichele Conte at 19 Owens Road, Old Bridge, NJ, 08857.