Fostering Tea Session (Joyce & Land)


On 30 May 2020, HFG-SG organised our first ever "Online" fostering intro session, together with Epworth Foster Care

The Filipino couple (Land and Joyce Palmero) came to know about fostering 6 yrs ago through a church mate. Having pictured Singapore as a perfect country before coming over, they were shocked to hear that there were children in Singapore who did not have safe homes and that there was such a pressing need for more foster parents.
They struggled in deciding whether to foster as both were v busy at work. However, they were inspired by something one of the foster parents mentioned in a fostering tea session, "What you can give, you give”. Upon reflection, they were convicted by God to give these vulnerable children a safe and loving home just as much as they had been blessed abundantly in their lives by Him.
The couple have fostered 4 children so far, with some of them having special needs such as Global Development Delay (GDD) and ADHD. There were challenges along their way such as Joyce's health issues (she was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 just after they were approved to foster), their busy work schedules as Senior Project Managers, and being there for their own teenage biological son who had difficulty adapting to not being the only child at home.
However, what they thought impossible was made possible with God. While fostering has enabled them to give their time and love to the children, fostering has also taught them valuable lessons. They have learned to depend on God’s supernatural patience when the going gets tough, learning to trust God in the process and to recommit their purpose of fostering to God whenever they feel overwhelmed.
Joyce also shared about a time when she felt rejected by one of the foster children. She decided to not to give up but to continue to pray and show love as she knew that the child nursed deep hurts within. The foster child eventually opened up to her and they have become close to each other.
In closing, they shared that fostering is a team effort, and that their HFG-SG and church communities provide great support. They also encourage their son by making him part of the Palmero fostering team. In addition, both Land and Joyce ensure they each spend quality time alone with their different foster children and their son, building fun and loving memories together. Their family has grown emotionally and spiritually as they care for these children.
Despite the ups and downs, the family continues to demonstrate God's love, joy and hope towards each kid who enters their home. They remain faithful to this ministry that God has called them to.

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