Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter 
A group of basic school children visiting The Gleaner, at North Street, Kingston recently. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
FOSTER PARENTING has its ups and downs just like regular parenting but many Jamaicans have taken up
the challenge and are caring for children who desperately need the love and support of a stable family.
Here is the story of one foster parent.
Joan Nelson, a 50 year-old educator has been a foster parent for 14 years and has enjoyed every bit of caring for her son.
She took Jonathan Browninto her home when he was only one and a half years old and raised him until he was eleven. He grew up as an ordinary, enthusiastic child.
But things changed when
his biological mother who had given him away, decided that she wanted him to visit her and his sibling.
Ms. Nelson, who was hesitant at first, relented and allowed him to see his family. There was however, one problem: Jonathan did not know that Ms. Nelson was not his biological mother.
She told him the truth a week before he visited his mother. But this did not go down well with Jonathan who started to rebel.
"It bothered him so much, he started misbehaving," she told The Sunday Gleaner.
"He turned on me and started calling me a liar," added Ms. Nelson.
The foster mother, who has no biological children, explained that Jonathan got out of control, started to smoke and would not stay at home. Now 15, he
has been taken from his foster mother and is now in a correctional facility because of his behaviour. But, Ms. Nelson has not given up on him because she says she loves him. In fact, she has been to the centre to visit him on more than one occasion.
"I still want to adopt him. He is my child and I love him and would never give up on him," she related.
STATE OF DEPRESSION
The situation has affected Ms. Nelson so much she has sunk into a state of depression.
"It hurts. I cry twice, three times per day. I hate looking at his things."
Notwithstanding her experience, Ms. Nelson is still not daunted and strongly believes that every Jamaican who is able to foster a child should do so.
"We should open our homes to children because they are crying out for love. Our nation will never rise against the terror if we continue to reject children who need to be a part of a family," said Ms. Nelson.
She continued: "When I see one family embracing a child, I see that as fulfilling and profitable." The educator said a comfortable family setting allows for the better socialisation of children and gives them a sense of belonging. Ms. Nelson, however, said one disadvantage of foster care is the fact that the biological parent can decide at any time that they want their children. This, she said, can destabilise the child's life.
Names changed to
protect identity.
