Tara Murray
Taylors Lakes couple Maria and Andre Rasquinha don’t see themselves as volunteers.
For the past 20 years, the pair have been part of the Interchange Hosts program which involves families volunteering to look after children on a regular basis.
Gateways Support Services’ Interchange Hosts buddy program carefully matches a child or young person with a disability, with an individual or host family.
Mrs Rasquinha said the role is something that the family enjoys and for them it has never been a big thing.
“We haven’t thought much about it,” she said of volunteering for 20 years. “It’s not something that involves a lot of effort or time.
‘I could see the benefits to the family of the child but also enjoyed being able to give to the community and involve my own children in developing an understanding and acceptance of children with a disability.”
Mrs Rasquinha said the children they have helped look after, and their families, have become part of their family.
She said her two children had an extra playmate once a month while growing up.
“We don’t think of our role as volunteers. We consider all the children we look after as part of our family,” Mrs Rasquinha said.
The family have looked after many children over the years, including 18-year-old Andrew who has been coming to the family for 13 years.
Andrew’s mother, Joanne, said the Rasquinhas have become an extension of the family.
Gateway Support Services Interchange Hosts volunteer co-ordinator Maggie Costa the Rasquinhas commitment, flexibility, love, passion and caring nature have enabled the relationships between program participants and carers to develop, grow and continue.
Ms Costa said they were always looking for volunteers for their programs.
To find out more, visit email westernmelbourne@gateways.com.au or phone 9396 1111.
