There are 160 children in Belize currently in need of foster families. This morning the Ministry of Human Development launched its eleventh annual "Give your heart to a child" campaign. It is an appeal for interested and eligible foster parents to take on a child. The children range in ages from 1 year old to 16 years old and we found out why you should consider opening your heart and home to one or more of them.
Keith Swift Reporting,
13-year-old Amelia Vanson has been living at the Dorothy Menzies Childcare Center for 6 years. She says life at the center is good but she really wants is to live with a family.
Amelia Vanson, Foster Child
"I want someone to watch over me and just be there when I want and assist me when I need."
Keith Swift,
What kind of family are you looking for?
Amelia Vanson,
"One that will really take me in and cherish me and love me."
Amelia along with these children are all in need of foster parents. This morning the Ministry of Human Development launched its "Give your heart to child" campaign - a nationwide search for foster parents.
Joleen Arnold, Child Placement Team
"We want people to open their heart and open their home to take in these children that are in need."
Supervisor of the child placement team Joleen Arnold says the requirements to foster a child are straightforward.
Joleen Arnold,
"The requirements include filling out an application form, submitting screening documents such as your police report, medical checks, and three references plus an officer will need to do a home study interview on you."
Keith Swift,
How do I choose my foster child?
Joleen Arnold,
"Based on the home study report and the type of child that you specify in your report then we would match a child with you based on your needs and strengths. The department will look at your suitability in terms of economic, it is not dependent on how much you make but how can you provide for a child in need, give that child the love and attention and the basic needs for the child."
Unlike adopting a child - fostering is only temporary. Hortence Augustine who is the foster mother at the Childcare Center says that having a foster family - even if it is only on weekends - makes a world of difference to these children.
Hortence Augustine, Foster Mother - Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center
"Whenever a child has the opportunity to go with a family, when they come back they have so much to tell you. The feeling, even in their academic work, you can see the improvements in them, even sometimes in their behavior it changes so much."
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent - you can contact the Human Development Department in your district. Not all kids up for foster families are eligible for adoption. The entire process to foster a child takes about 6 weeks.
