A couple’s dream of starting a family turned into a nightmare as they found themselves trapped in Cyprus after paying £85,000 for twins born via surrogate. Damian, 33, and Pasan Fernando, 36, began their journey to parenthood six years ago. Struggling to find a surrogate in the UK, they turned to the World Center of Baby in Cyprus for assistance. After fertilising a donor’s eggs with Pasan’s sperm, chosen to resemble Damian’s features, the couple was matched with a surrogate who became pregnant with twins in April 2024.
The twins, River and Liko, were born on January 3, 2025, in Cyprus. However, despite having all the necessary documents, the parents have been unable to bring their babies home to St Albans, Hertfordshire, for over eight weeks now. The delay lies in their passport application, which has been hampered by numerous misplacements of crucial documents. Damian expressed his frustration, highlighting the avoidable human errors that have kept the children from meeting their grandparents.
Damian and Pasan’s journey towards parenthood included years of unsuccessful attempts to find a surrogate in the UK. Eventually, in September 2023, they decided to explore surrogacy options abroad and landed at the World Center of Baby, Cyprus. After careful selection of an egg donor resembling Damian, fertilisation, and pregnancy confirmation with twins, the couple eagerly awaited their birth in Cyprus. However, bureaucratic complications have now left them stranded in the country, facing additional accommodation costs on top of their substantial surrogacy expenses.
The process of obtaining passports for River and Liko has hit a roadblock due to ongoing miscommunications and document misplacements. Daily calls to the concerned authorities have not yielded a resolution, leading the couple to endure the uncertainty of not knowing when their applications will be reviewed. The financial strain, compounded by the indefinite timeline for passport issuance, may force Damian to take unpaid leave, adding to their mounting concerns.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Damian and Pasan remain hopeful and determined to navigate through this ordeal. They emphasize the importance of vigilance in pursuing surrogacy, cautioning others against potential scams while advocating for perseverance in the pursuit of parenthood. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the hurdles faced by families pursuing non-traditional routes to having children and the importance of support and perseverance amidst adversity.
As the couple continues to await a resolution to their plight, they strive to maintain a positive outlook for their growing family. Their resilience and unwavering hope serve as an inspiration to others embarking on similar paths to parenthood. The Home Office has been approached for comment on the situation, underlining the need for improved processes and support for families navigating the complexities of international surrogacy arrangements. Despite the challenges, Damian and Pasan’s unwavering commitment to their children’s well-being shines through, illuminating the power of parental love in overcoming adversity.