Kia ora

Happy Foster Care Awareness Week! This year, throughout March, we are celebrating our caregiver members across the motu (country), hosting several events and giveaways especially for you, to acknowledge your aroha, hard work and absolute commitment to the children in your care.

 At Caring Families Aotearoa, we know what a massive, sometimes transformational, difference you are making to young lives. But caregiving often flies under the media radar, attracting relatively sparse coverage considering the number of kiwi kids we have in care.

Foster Care Awareness Week not only allows us to show you how appreciated you are, it also gives us a platform to tell others about your vital role and the issues you face. Please know that we are canvassing the media this week to tilt the spotlight your way, if only momentarily.

I am looking forward to an extra special event this Friday – the annual Excellence in Foster Care Awards. We will be hosting 10 remarkable caregivers and caregiving couples in Wellington and treating them to a lovely lunch out before the Awards Ceremony at Government House. The calibre of this year’s award recipients is nothing short of exceptional.

Enjoy your special week. I hope you can take some time out for self-care and reflect on the wonderful job you are doing.

Noho ora mai (Stay well, look after yourself, goodbye).