Carol and Natasha's story
A strong sense of making the world a better place and giving a child a much better life were the motivations for Carol* and her partner Natasha to become foster carers.
Carol and Natasha provide foster care to two siblings (they now have full guardianship of one of the siblings with a permanent care order), as well as opening their home one weekend a month to a third sibling, who is in permanent care with another foster family. Carol and Natasha also have two children of their own aged two and seven.
"Becoming foster carers has been a wonderful experience, it has enriched our family's life and our children's understanding that not everyone is born with the same opportunities," said Carol.
"We also feel strongly that we are enriching our community by providing foster care to children who are in desperate need of love and a stable home."
"For many children in foster care, they have no one to record their life milestone, to take photos of them or remember their birthday. A foster carer can play such an important role in making these children feel cared about."
"While we have decided to pursue longer term placements, it is important for everyone to realise that it takes so little to achieve a lot. Short-term respite or emergency care is equally as valuable and important to the lives of children who need care."
"One of the most valuable lessons I have learnt about foster care is that if I don't do it, unfortunately there is not always someone else who will, and it is our most vulnerable children who are affected."
"I urge anyone in a position to consider foster care to make that first step and call the Foster Care Hotline. You have the ability to provide a gift for the future and contribute to making the world a better place," said Carol.
* names have been changed to protect privacy