September 26th 2024.
H is a remarkable young man, just 16 years old and already he has endured more than most people experience in a lifetime. He came to the UK as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child from Ethiopia, and I am honored to be his foster parent. I still remember the moment when I pointed to a full plate of food on the dining table and H asked if it was meant for all of us. It was a simple question, but it spoke volumes about his journey and the hardships he has faced. The plate was filled with chicken, rice, and salad, a normal meal for my family, but for H, it was a lavish feast. He later explained that on his journey to the UK, a single portion from our table would have fed six people. It was a shocking realization and it made me incredibly sad. It was as if all the films I have watched and books I have read about the struggles of refugees had come to life in front of me.
I have always been surrounded by foster children, thanks to my aunt who has been a foster parent for 30 years. Growing up, Christmases and Mother's Days were always special in our family. My aunt's home in Wales was always filled with love and laughter, as former foster children returned to celebrate as a family. Seeing the positive impact my aunt had on these children's lives, I knew I wanted to do the same. I wanted to make a difference and provide a safe and loving home for those in need. And now, with H in our home, it just feels right. I am a few months into my first ever placement, and I know that this is what I was always meant to do.
Unfortunately, there is currently a significant shortage of foster carers to support the growing number of children in care. According to the Department for Education, as of March 31, 2023, there were 7,290 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in England, a 40% increase since 2019. These children deserve a safe and loving home just like any other child. It breaks my heart to think that so many of them end up in inappropriate accommodations or without proper support. The Children's Commissioner for England reports that out of the 6,000 16 and 17-year-olds who presented as homeless in 2022 and 2023, 1,000 were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
H's journey to the UK was arduous, both in terms of distance and time. He had to travel on foot, in the back of a lorry, and even on a dangerously overcrowded boat. He has shared with us the terrifying moments he experienced, like fainting on the boat and witnessing a young boy fall off the lorry and being left behind. It is truly horrific to think that he has had to endure such trauma at such a young age. But despite all of this, he remains grateful to be here with us, and his words always humble me.
Since joining our home, H has already enriched our lives in ways we never imagined. I still remember how scared and overwhelmed he was on his first day with us. But as time has passed, he has become more comfortable, and his true personality has emerged. He is now a chatty and happy teenager, just like any other. My own children have welcomed him with open arms, and it brings me so much joy to see them laughing and joking together. We sit around the dinner table every day, and it feels like a true family. H has become a part of our family, and we are grateful for the bond we have formed with him.
It is easy to take things for granted when living in a safe country. But H's presence in our home has reminded us to be grateful for the little things in life. His journey has been difficult, but seeing him settle in, relax, and emerge from his shell has been incredibly rewarding. Every day, we see him grow and thrive, and it brings us so much happiness. We are honored to have him in our home, and we will continue to support and love him as he navigates his new life in the UK.
Let me tell you about my foster child, H. He's a 16-year-old boy who came to the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker from Ethiopia. I feel incredibly lucky to have him in my home. Just the other day, we were sitting at the dinner table and I had to point out that the plate full of food in front of him was meant for him, not for all of us. He looked confused and asked if it was for everyone. It was a normal meal for us, but for H, it was something he couldn't believe. He explained that on his journey to the UK, a single portion from our table could have fed six people. It was a heartbreaking realization and it made me think of all the movies and books I've seen where characters struggle to survive with limited resources. I couldn't help but feel incredibly sad for him.
As I mentioned, H is an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child. I have taken him in as my foster child and it has been an amazing experience so far. I grew up with an aunt who was a foster parent for 30 years of her life. She opened her home to children from all over the world and our family gatherings were always filled with love and laughter. Even after they left her care, many of these children would come back to celebrate holidays with us, and it was truly heartwarming to see the impact my aunt had on their lives. She inspired me to become a foster parent myself and now, with H in my home, I feel like I am fulfilling my purpose in life.
Unfortunately, there is a shortage of foster carers in the UK and too many children, like H, do not have a safe and loving home to go to. As of March 2023, there were over 7,000 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in England, and this number has been steadily increasing. It breaks my heart to think that these children have had to endure such difficult journeys just to find a safe place to call home. H's journey was particularly harrowing, with long distances traveled on foot, being crammed into the back of a lorry, and a treacherous boat crossing. He has shared with us his experiences of fear and even fainting on the boat. It's unimaginable what he has been through at such a young age.
But despite all of this, H has settled into our home and has already enriched our lives beyond measure. He speaks openly about his journey and his gratitude for being here, which is incredibly humbling for all of us. It's easy to take our safety and comfort for granted, but H's words serve as a reminder to be thankful for what we have. And it's not just us who have been impacted by H's presence. My own children have welcomed him with open arms, and I love seeing them all laughing, joking, and sharing their interests together. H has come out of his shell and has become a chatty and happy teenager, just like any other.
It's amazing to see the progress H has made in just a few months. When he first arrived, he was scared, overwhelmed, and very quiet. But now, he talks and jokes with us, tells us about his day, and is becoming a part of our family. It's a joy to see him relax and feel at home, and I know that he will continue to thrive in our care. Being a foster parent is not always easy, but moments like these make it all worth it. H has reminded me of the importance of showing compassion and providing a safe space for those in need. And for that, I will forever be grateful to have him in my home.
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