Amanda, intrinsically, has a great longing to connect people. “Maybe because I completely miss the connection with a family of my own.
In 2016, during a search for family in Sri Lanka she finds out that everything is wrong with her adoption papers. It also becomes clear that the supposed elder sister with whom she was adopted at the same time, is not her natural sister. At that moment she thinks that she will never find her biological family.
In 2017, through a broadcast of Zembla about false adoption papers, Amanda finds out that she is not the only one. When she comes into contact with other duped adoptees from Sri Lanka, together they get the idea to make use of DNA. “For if your papers don’t match, your DNA search is your only chance.
Next Amanda, supported by her partner Boudewijn, and Wendy plunge into Sri Lanka DNA. What began as a Facebook page grows into a foundation with its own website.
Although it costs Amanda a lot of free time, she is entirely dedicated to Sri Lanka DNA. She still remembers clearly how she gave the first DNA kit to a mother in Sri Lanka. “That woman had been searching for her child for ten years. She was so happy we could help. So this doesn’t cost me no time at all, at least it doesn’t feel like it.”
For Amanda the first DNA match through Sri Lanka DNA felt like awarding a winning lot. “So cool that someone is shouting in your ear for more than a quarter of an hour, because she cannot believe that it happened.” Amanda hopes for a lot more reunions.” So that relations that, with a lot of sorrow. were broken a long time ago, can be repaired.”