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SINGAPORE : The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) says it needs more foster mothers.
In the last three years, the number of foster moms went up by 7.5% to 178 last year.
But the number of children who need foster care has grown by 19% to 275.
45-year-old housewife Sahara Raja Mat has three grown-up daughters aged 15, 16 and 18.
But a boy named Justin is the special child in her life.
Justin, whose name has been changed for this report, was left in a toilet just after he was delivered.
His biological mother was a 14-year-old teenager.
Justin barely survived the abandonment and developed cerebral palsy.
When Madam Sahara took on the assignment to care for Justin, he was only half the size of an average new-born.
But seven years on, thanks to his foster mother's tender loving care, Justin is a healthy and happy child.
He goes to a special school and loves to learn.
Besides Justin, Madam Sahara also takes care of 12-year-old Leena, whose name has also been changed for this report.
Leena was abused when she came under Madam Sahara's shelter four years ago.
Caring for the two children, especially Justin, who needs to go for regular medical check-ups, takes a lot of time and money.
But Madam Sahara's only worry is if the day comes when their biological parents ask to take back the children.
"If the parents come to take them back, I have to let go because they are their own parents. But I need to keep in touch with them after they leave," says Madam Sahara.
"For me it's very hard, I cannot forget my two foster children because I've been taking care of them for a long time. Even though they're not my children, I treat them like my own."
Madam Sahara is just one of 180 foster parents helping MCYS look after 280 children.
The ministry says it needs more helping hands to come on board.
And to help defray the expenses incurred by the child, foster parents will be given a monthly allowance.
Foster parents get from $650 to $786 a month, depending on whether the child has special needs.
But for most long-serving foster mothers, some of whom have cared for other people's children for decades, it's certainly not about dollars and cents.
All they want is to provide a caring home for children who have been abused, abandoned, neglected, or for some reasons, are unable to stay with their families.
Those who wish to join the fostering scheme can contact the ministry at 1800-258 6378 or visit its website at www.mcys.gov.sg/fostering. - CNA /ls
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