Fostering Tea Session (Audrie & Chune Keat)
<Audrie and Chune Keat’s sharing>
Audrie and Chune Keat shared that their family was a normal and imperfect one with teens. Audrie first had a calling to help vulnerable children. She worked in the out of home care area, before finally starting the foster when she went for her further studies. Her family had already heard a lot about fostering so they were open.
Audrie shared that the current theme of fostering for them was “Healing and Restoration”. Through fostering, her family had over time learnt to become the “green pasture” and “still water” where the children could be restored. She shared how foster children often had traumatic histories. When her foster children, Jodie and Vicki (not their real names) arrived, they looked fearful and anxious. Despite her family going out of their way to welcome them warmly, one of her foster children shrink away from one of her family members due to bad experiences in the past. As they became more comfortable, the foster children often began to share about their past experiences. Their stories were often heartbreaking. Some of them not only had to find creative ways to stay safe daily, they found ways to protect their siblings. Despite this, Audrie has seen how the children found healing when they poured out their hearts in a safe and caring environment. As they find acceptance by caring foster parents and have the space and support to make sense of what happened to them, they began to love and trust again. This was one “special power” of fostering!
A part of the restoration was about self-worth for the child. Because of past abuse, some of her foster children would repeatedly say that they were worthless. There was often a need to look for new ways to rebuild the broken sense of self-worth and identity. Audrie shared how Jodie’s talent in art was discovered while she lived with them. Jodie managed to get more training and practice in art and slowly blossomed as she continued to received recognition for her art. Some of Jodie’s pieces will even be used as special gifts for guests of honour for her fostering agency Epworth Community Services. These experiences were very powerful in returning her sense of self-worth back to Jodie. Jodie’s confidence has grown and it was wonderful to see her walk taller, more confident and stronger.
Chune Keat shared that through their fostering journey, there was often a deep anger in the hearts of the children, driven by immense hurt. If not healed, the cycle could perpetuate itself. Through fostering, their family could help to “bind up the broken hearted, set the captives free, give a garment of praise instead of despair”. It was a chance to break the cycle and help these children build a different future.
Chune Keat shared that fostering has helped even their own children to grow in faith and strength. It also made their family keenly aware that they needed to be good role models for the foster children and even though they are still imperfect, it made them strive to become better. Family meetings became even more important as it was a space for them to talk, strategise and pray together.
In conclusion, Audrie encouraged everyone that you don’t need to be a perfect family to start fostering. It was important to know that you are not alone and you are part of a larger system with many professionals and take a teamwork approach. Many of these (e.g. Foster Care Officers, teachers, HFG, extended family) have been wonderful help in their fostering journey!