From a Documentary to a Six-Child Family: The Dombkins’ Adoption Journey

Mark and Anna Dombkins were a young married pair caring for their six-month-old son in Wollongong when a documentary exposing Chinese orphanages prompted them to consider adoption. After three years of trying to adopt in Australia without success, they impulsively decided to move to Tanzania, attracted by safety, work prospects and ethical adoption laws. In Tanzania they connected with a baby home that had twins, Shay and Charlie, whose older brother Jabari was severely malnourished; the Dombkins adopted all three, adding them to their existing children Jackson and Jemima.

The family spent three years abroad before returning to Australia, where Anna soon discovered she was pregnant with their sixth child, Max. The Dombkins describe their household as “beautiful chaos,” noting how the adopted children have broadened their biological kids’ perspectives. Their story highlights the personal impact of global humanitarian issues and the complexities of building a large, multicultural family through adoption.