When Harald Peeka was a newly-arrived international student, he felt the need to make himself known all over again – in a sense, to reestablish his identity.
The experience is something he remembers each time he and wife Bernadette (Bernie) take a new foster child into their home.
“It’s important for the children to know who they are,” says Harald. “Knowing that you belong,
helps you have an identity.”
This determination has been amazing for Adam*, the 10-year old who is now in their care. Adam’s previous 10-year placement had broken down, and he also hadn’t known his biological family.
“Nobody loves me,” was his cry.
“When he came into our home we started looking into his family history, and exploring his possible First Nations heritage,” Bernie explains. “Meeting his family was a turning point for him. He now knows 30 family members, and he loves spending time with them.”
“He used to feel like no one cared, but he doesn’t say that anymore. Now, he ‘belongs’.”
The Peekas are also making things happen in terms of Adam’s schooling. They work with him on his reading and writing and can see the difference, and Adam does too. “We asked if he feels better about himself, and the answer was a ‘Yes!’”
Harald and Bernie have been MacKillop carers for four years, and have cared for eight part-time and long-term foster children, in addition to their own two girls. Harald works in the foster care sector and deals with children from a trauma background at work as well. They are also active in church.
Like many carers, this busy couple eased into foster care by starting with part-time (respite) care.
“When you see someone struggling, you can help - even a little,” says Harald. “Our daughters are also part of the care equation, and helping vulnerable children has rubbed off on them. One of the girls says she wants to be a foster carer when she grows up, to help others like she sees mum and dad do,” he says with a smile.
The Peekas say that a beautiful part about being foster carers is seeing the children grow. “It is a joyful thing to do as a family,’ Bernie says. “It’s also good letting a child know that the world isn’t big and scary with horrible people – that there are adults with whom they can be safe.
“That’s the best part.”
*Name changed to protect the privacy of the child
