Fostering is a fulfilling way of life
25.05.10
A COUPLE who have fostered nine children in 10 years are encouraging other families to provide a safe haven for vulnerable children.
Ahead of the start of a campaign to recruit 750 new foster carers, Chris and Nina Abdullahi spoke of the rewards of helping youngsters to build a new life.
"Fostering is challenging; it's not for everyone. But for the right sort of person it can really be the best job in the world," said Mrs Abdullahi.
The pair, from Canton, Cardiff, said their diverse backgrounds had helped them care for children of different nationalities, as well as mothers and babies. They currently foster an 18-year-old boy, from Somalia, and two 16-year-old boys, from Afghanistan.
Mrs Abdullahi, 57, said: "Chris is Welsh-Somali and I have a Polish background, so being aware of multicultural issues has helped us care for vulnerable children from diverse backgrounds.
"Chris and I don't have children of our own but family has always been important to us and we wanted to help vulnerable children and young people lead a better life, so becoming foster carers was the natural choice for us.
"To be a good foster carer you need to go into the role with your eyes open, be non-judge mental, supportive, understanding and patient. You also have to set boundaries for reasonable behaviour and be fair but firm when needed."
The couple are foster carers with independent fostering agency Cardiff-based Pathway Care and are supporting Fostering Fortnight, which begins on Monday. They said in the five years they have cared for their 18-year-old foster child from Somalia, he has grown in confidence.
"He's a talented sportsman and is currently studying for a BTEC in sport and one day hopes to become a sports coach," said Mrs Abdullahi.
"Over the last year the other boys have been with us they've worked hard in school and can now both speak good English and have integrated into the local community well.
"We never feel alone. Pathway Care provides us with support from experienced social workers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They also provide continuous training and I've achieved an NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care. This has boosted my confidence and enhanced my skills as a foster carer."
Wendy Keidan, Pathway Care's Director of Practice, said: "We're very proud of Chris and Nina who, like all our carers, have done so much to help fostered children lead a better quality of life.
"Fostering Fortnight is an important reminder that there's a real shortage of foster carers in Cardiff and the Valleys in particular. Foster carers come from all cultures, backgrounds and include couples with or without children, single and divorced people, and lone parents."
