Connecting Three Dots

My name is Dalal and I’m a short-term foster carer for Barnardos Australia.

When I came to Sydney, I was very shocked to hear that there were traumatized babies and children that needed a safe home. Hearing this from a friend made me cry, and I knew in my heart that I needed to help them.

The first child that I cared for was a baby, she was so tiny at only 2 months old. Her mother was in a very dark place and was experiencing severe trauma that she could not properly take care of her baby. I knew that it hurt her, as I could see that she loved her baby very much.  She was so scared that her baby would call me “mama” and forget about her, but I reassured her that she will always be the child’s mother and I can be “grandma”.

The child was in my care for 2 years, 3 months, and it was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. In the beginning, I thought that I would only be giving that child a safe and loving home – but it was much more than that – I brought her family together. When the mother was undergoing trauma, her family distanced themselves from her because they didn’t know what to do.  Now that they see that her baby is growing up well and that she is improving, they are all there to support her.

My faith is very important to me. Allah teaches us to help others as much as we can. So being a foster carer and helping children and families who need it is a wonderful way to do his work.

If you are thinking of being a foster carer, just try it. It will change your life, like it has changed mine.