In this place, there are 16 of them there, 16 women who care for 25 children. Every month, they receive a little less than $270 per child for fulfilling the job requirements of foster mother. But, for the women we met, we could tell that it’s really more than a job to them.
It’s standing in the gap for children who have no one.
It’s sometimes a willingness to go back to a job she did in younger years and focus all her energy for the sake of a child or two who need her.
It’s showing off baby pictures on your phone and cute videos of your children singing and being willing to be child-like and silly to try to coax a smile (after all, that’s what mamas do).
It’s teaching the lonely that they don’t have to be lonely and that they are cared for and can care for others.
It’s saying yes when others turn their backs.
It’s a lot of hand holding…
…often until that same warm hand waves goodbye so the child can have a future and take the hand of another.