Always, there is hope | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

A Waiuku pair is ensuring children going into foster care feel loved and cared for, as Valerie Schuler discovers.

The first foster child to arrive at Sam and Jenni Weir's home just about broke their hearts.

"They arrive looking quite distraught and, because they've been whipped away from their home so quickly, they usually come with little or no belongings," says Mrs Weir. "Those who do have some clothes with them usually carry them in a rubbish sack."

The Waiuku mother and daughter have fostered seven children, most of them under the age of 4, in the past 18 months. "Some of these kids don't have any toys at home and turn up looking really underweight. Sometimes we have to rush out at the last minute to buy them something to wear," says Mrs Weir.

To make the children feel welcome and cared for, the Weirs began collecting soft toys to give to them on arrival. They teamed up with a North Harbour woman, Louise Allnutt, who coordinates an appeal for underprivileged babies in New Zealand and Africa.

Together, via a Facebook page, they collected thousands of soft toys. These were distributed late last year through Iosis Family Solutions- a South Auckland organisation that helps families in need.

Although the toys were greatly appreciated, the Weirs soon realised that what foster children need most are basic essentials: underwear, nappies, toothpaste, brushes, shampoo; everyday items most of us take for granted.

So they set up Foster Hope, a charity that provides essentials for those going into foster care. Each small backpack contains hygiene products, books, toys and other items that show them they are loved. There are kits for boys and girls aged from newborn to age 18.

"We want these children to know that someone cares about them. No child should be made to feel like their belongings are rubbish, and caregivers should be able to focus on the emotional needs of a child, rather than having to run around doing last minute shopping," says Miss Weir.

The Foster Hope kits will be distributed through the Open Home Foundation, an Auckland social services organisation that works with children around the country.

The  intention is to  provide every child going into foster care with a kit. To do this, the Weirs need a little help. "What we really need is things like deodorant, baby and sanitary products and undies," says Miss Weir. "Any donations would be hugely appreciated."

Into care

About 5000 children live in foster homes at any one time in New Zealand. Many children who need a new family have experienced some degree of physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect.

Unlike adoption, the children remain the legal responsibility of their birth parents and the Department of Child, Youth and Family.

For more info, see: www.fosterhope.co.nz