Foster carers John and Genevieve Mercieca don’t believe they are doing anything “wonderful”.
They see themselves as normal, everyday parents of five children. But for the past 12 years, the Little River couple have opened their house and their hearts to children in need of a safe and loving home.
The Merciecas are among 400 Victorians who foster children through support service Anglicare.
But the state still has a shortfall of people willing to help kids in need.
Anglicare and the Merciecas hope Foster Care Week, which ends on
Saturday, will encourage more people to become carers. “It is satisfying
to know we make an impact on the lives of the children we care for,” Mr
Mercieca said.
“We get as much out of it as the children do.
“I have difficulty when people say we are doing a wonderful thing because foster caring is just something we can do to help these children.”
The couple has cared for about 50 children over the past 12 years.
Some stayed with the Merciecas for a few weeks or months, while others
were in their care for a couple of years.
For the past 10 years they have looked after two teenagers and are now their legal guardians.
Mrs Mercieca, who was a foster carer for about 20 years with her
former partner, said she couldn’t imagine not being a foster carer.
“I grew up with five brothers and sisters and there was something
about knowing that other people weren’t as fortunate as me and wanting
to do something about it,’’ she said.
“If we want these kids to grow up to become part of our society then we need to do something to help them.”
Mrs Mercieca said Victoria’s carer shortage meant that children were often moved on to new homes after a few days.
“Few carers means a lot of juggling, which can be unsettling. More
carers would also mean that kids wouldn’t have to travel as far to get
to a home.
“At the weekend, we were asked to look after a little boy who
needed emergency care because there was nowhere else in the north and
west regions for him to go. The system needs more carers.”
» anglicarevic.org.au/foster-care
