At the same time, Barnardos was advertising for foster carers able to provide a safe home and love for a child in need. More than 45,000 children in Australia are unable to live safely with their birth families.
Foster carers give children and young people a safe, stable and nurturing family environment for a few months, years or for the rest of their lives through open adoption.
Barnardos provides constant guidance and support to ensure the carer and the child’s needs are met.
Lebanese-born Roula, who is in her 50s, has been a Barnardos foster carer since 2016 and has cared for 10 children up to the age of five years in that time.
The single mum says she feels blessed whenever she has a baby or toddler in her arms.
“I asked my children how they felt about me being a foster carer because our family has so much love to give and they encouraged me; they love having a little one in our home as much as I do,” she said.
“Sometimes I have a baby come to me straight from the hospital and they stay a few days or months but one little boy was aged 18 months and he lived with me until he was nearly three.
“It was hard saying goodbye to him and that’s probably the most challenging part of being a foster carer but I am thankful for the time we had together and some parents keep in contact which is lovely.”
As well as getting an allowance to cover the child’s food, milk, nappies, medication or other needs, Barnardos provides wonderful support to carers including home visits and lots of telephone contact.
“I would strongly encourage anyone who has a stable, happy home and the time to provide a child with the love each one of them deserves, to think about becoming a Barnardos foster carer,” Roula said.
“It would be fantastic if more people fostered children; you give them love and they love you right back, it’s such a beautiful, amazing feeling.”
There are not enough foster carers to meet the needs of children needing care and protection and Barnardos urgently needs more short-term foster carers in the area, and permanent carers for older children and siblings.
To find out more about how you could make a difference in a child’s life, call 1800 663 441.
Make a difference in child’s life
ROULA was starting to feel the tug of the empty nest syndrome with the youngest of her three children approaching the end of her schooling when she saw a heartbreaking story about a newborn being left in a drain while authorities frantically searched for the mother.