Seventy-five per cent of Australian children in foster care will not finish school. One in three will be homeless in the first year out of care and even more will not find employment.
Children enter into care after experiencing neglect, abuse or both. This trauma often causes them to be disengaged from education and makes it difficult for them to build healthy relationships with other adults and children.
The foster carers do an enormous task, but there are many challenges. They need to prepare meals, organise medical appointments, liaise with support workers and government departments, and do the school drop-off and pick-up. They will often have multiple children under the one roof.
The Pyjama Foundation, which was founded in Queensland, ameliorates this situation by pairing affected children with volunteers who help with homework, build self-esteem, teach new skills and act as positive role models.
The Pyjama Foundation is aligned with the quote “it takes a village to raise a child”.
On this episode, I speak to Joeleen Bettini, the Far North Queensland coordinator for the Pyjama Foundation. We speak about the problems faced by children in care, how the foundation works to help the children and the growing challenge of recruiting volunteers in Australia.