Carers hoping to inspire others to foster refugees

FOSTER CARERS who have given two teenage asylum seekers a home have spoken of their pride at watching the boys grow in confidence.

The two boys – who fled trouble in their own countries – are being cared for by Tom and Lucy EtumEjon, of Chapeltown, Leeds.

The couple hope their experience will help inspire more people to consider foster care during Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from today to Sunday May 24. Mr Etum-Ejon, 54, is a full-time foster carer, and his wife Lucy, works in a care home.

One of the boys is from Eritrea and has been with the couple for 18 months.

With the help of Mr and Mrs Etum-Ejon, inset, he has now been granted asylum in the UK.

The second 16-year-old they are fostering is from Albania and is also seeking asylum in the UK.

Mr Etum-Ejon, said: “For me, the most rewarding thing about fostering is noticing the relationship that develops between us.

“If you show someone love, and they respond to that in a positive way, there’s no better experience.

“Both boys have improved their English so much since they came to stay with us.

“I’m so proud of them both, they’ve gained a lot of confidence and I hope to be able to continue to see that grow.”

The couple were born in Uganda but have lived in the UK for over 25 years.

They both worked with the Centre of English Studies Leeds for more than 10 years, offering home stays to foreign students for a period of a few weeks up to a year.

They decided to look into fostering with independent fostering provider and social enterprise, Five Rivers Child Care, after hearing a radio ad.

Mr Etum-Ejon, said: “Having moved to a different country ourselves, we know how it feels to have to leave your home to live somewhere new.

“We can understand how strange everything can feel which helps us empathise with how they might be feeling.”

Both boys went to the couple on a short-term stay, but have agreed that if they are able to, they would both like to stay until they are 18.

A report earlier showed that there are a record 78,150 children in care and in Yorkshire and Humber region alone another 910 foster carers are needed to meet demand. For more information on foster care contact Five Rivers Child Care on 0345 266 0272.