Move over octomum – Stephanie Ferguson has seen more than 200 kids live under her roof.
The 61-year-old Melton resident signed up to be a foster carer 20 years ago and has had up to six kids living with her at any one time.
Some children stay for a night; others for months and years.
Among the latter were two brothers who stayed with her for five years and still visit, and a girl who later stayed with her when she had her first baby.
At the moment, Ms Ferguson is housing three siblings and one other teen. “A lot of them have called me mum,” she said.
“One particular boy, he’s just superb. Of all the kids, I call him my golden child.
“He was over here with nobody, and you would think he would’ve been the one to stray onto the wrong track, but he’s proved himself. Now he has his own house and has been overseas a couple of times. He still comes to see me, phones me at least once a week, and if I ever need anything done, he’ll come and do it. He’s just a wonderful person. I love him to death.”
The mother of two and grandmother of three admits it’s hard to say goodbye to the children she’s had for a long time, but she finds that most of them keep in touch.
“It can be tough, but to see them start to relax and give you a little bit of affection and know they’re safe – to be able to help them through a rough time – it’s very rewarding.”
The Salvation Army’s Westcare Children’s Services is on the lookout for anyone interested in helping some of the western suburbs’ most vulnerable children.
Westcare provided 187 children and teenagers with support through its 58 carers in 2013. For more details about becoming a foster carer, call 9312 3544.
Charlene Macaulay
