Photo: NRK
Catrine Hægeland Øglænd, a 37-year-old woman, has invested 1.5 million kroner and made seven trips to Thailand in her quest to bring her orphaned half-sister, Rose, aged 12, back to Norway. The process has been fraught with bureaucratic challenges that have complicated their pursuit.
Two years ago, Catrine and her family prepared a room for Rose at their home, allowing the young girl to choose decorations during their visits. Rose’s mother passed away from tuberculosis in 2020, and her father died in 2017. Since then, Rose has lived with a family friend in Thailand.
Catrine, alongside her husband Jan Simon Hægeland, has fought to gain parental rights for Rose since the summer of 2022. They have spent more than 300 hours traveling back and forth to Thailand and have incurred substantial expenses. “We have done everything within our power, but it’s never good enough,” she expressed, sharing her frustrations with the ongoing ordeal.
Catrine recounted their attempts to secure a proper legal framework to bring Rose home. They also acquired a seven-seater vehicle to accommodate her when she arrived. However, they ultimately sold the vehicle to fund additional flights to Thailand.” The obstacles seem endless, with an uncertain legal landscape preventing Rose from joining her family in Norway.
Guardianship approved in January
After several legal battles over guardianship and establishing paternity, she finally received approval in January 2024 to be Rose’s guardian. However, complications regarding the legal status of their decisions have hindered their progress, with several delays leaving the family in a state of limbo.
Despite the setbacks, Catrine maintains regular contact with Rose via FaceTime every Saturday. The siblings remain hopeful, but the prolonged separation weighs heavily on them, especially as the family approaches yet another Christmas without Rose at home.
As Catrine prepares for another visit to Thailand to discuss the situation with the embassy, she remains committed to reuniting her family. “Rose has always called us mommy and daddy, and she thrives in our family,” Catrine emphasizes, holding onto hope amid the uncertainty.
Source: NRK