Can you give a child a safe, loving home?

THE gift of a good home can mean the world to a child in need.
With this week (September 13-19) being Foster and Kinship Care Week, it is a great opportunity to say thank you to all the wonderful foster carers who provide children with safe and caring homes.
One of these carers is retired Catholic primary school teacher and Earlwood resident Sarah.
Sarah has been offering short-term care to children in need of a safe home since January.
She became aware of the great need for carers when she attended a Family Spirit info session last year and by January, she was providing respite care for teenage sisters.
In late January, Sarah agreed to care for six-year-old Ellie.
“I will never forget the day she (Ellie) arrived at my place,” Sarah said.
“Here was this little girl, standing in the middle of my lounge room, with a woman she didn’t know. But I saw an incredible inner strength in her, after all, this was her fourth home in six years.”
She has noticed a big improvement in Ellie’s confidence and behaviour this year.
“It’s so wonderful to see the development and growth in a child that’s been through trauma,” she said.
Ellie has chosen to call Sarah Nanna and when Ellie finds her forever home, Sarah is looking forward to continuing to support her as her foster Nanna.
Sarah admits that it is hard work, but that it is absolutely worth it.
“Go to an info session because that’s where you hear about the children, their needs and about the type of carer you can be,” she added.
For more info, call 13 18 19 or visit familyspirit.org.