When Tita Jing told me that I will be in Foster Care, at first I was so happy, because finally I would have someone I could call Mama. But, at the same time, I felt sad because I would be leaving my Mommies and my friends in CRIBS. There were many “what ifs” running through my mind. What if my Mama is mean? What would it be like studying outside CRIBS with other kids and strange teachers? Who will I call if I am not feeling well? Questions like these made me feel uneasy. I wanted to tell Tita Jing that I didn’t want to leave CRIBS anymore. But then the thought of having a complete family made me realize that I wanted it very much.

                

                 The day came to meet my foster family. My foster mother was there with her youngest daughter, along with my foster sister who also came from New Beginnings. At first, I was afraid of talking to my foster mother because she seemed so snobbish; then Tita Jing told me that my foster mother is one of the best foster mothers in CRIBS. I learned that my foster father was working in Saudi to support his family, and that I have a Kuya who was already married and an Ate who also had her own family. I learned that only Mama and her youngest daughter who was studying in college, stayed in their house. So, basically, it would only be me, my foster sister and my Mama who would be at home most of the time.

                

                 To make the story short, my foster family decided to take me home. We lived somewhere in Pasay. There, we studied, did household chores and helped Mama in washing our clothes. Sometimes I would iron our uniforms. Mama would always assign me to clean the bathroom area; She would do this because she said that I was good at cleaning the bathroom, compared to my foster sister. We were also required to attend monthly meetings with Tita Jing and Tita Ria. Our social workers would ask our foster mother how we were doing in school, how our relationship was with other people, etc.  After the meeting, CRIBS would also release our school allowances and other supplies.

                

                 I stayed with my Foster Family for almost 2 years. Everything seemed fine, but like any other normal family we had misunderstandings which made them decide to give me up eventually. After 2 years of staying with them, they decided to put me back in CRIBS. My Mama told me that it would be better if I continued my studies inside CRIBS. They also told me that they still love me but things became different since I started being stubborn and hard-headed.

                

                 I never regretted anything. I learned so much from my foster family. They taught me how to be a good Christian, how to be a good daughter and lastly how to cope when everything seems so wrong. I am very thankful because they became a part of me. They contributed to who I am today. I learned to strive hard to reach my goal; they taught me to be strong and to never give-up. Maybe there were misunderstandings between us, because I was so young then, and I didn’t realize that what they were doing was for my own good. I am very sorry because I didn’t get a chance to thank them personally. I hope that through this, I can thank them.

                

                 To my Mama, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and for Evelyn. Without your guidance I won’t be where I am today. If there’s one thing I treasure the most, it is that God gave me a chance to live with you and your family. Thanks a lot for the love and care you’ve shown. I’m sorry for all the headaches I’ve caused you, and lastly thank you for being a part of me. I will never forget you and your family.

Me and My Foster Family

By: Aiza

I can still remember my first day with my Foster Family. I was so excited. It was like a dream come true for a child like me who wishes to have a complete family. I was 9 years old then. All I wanted to do at that time was to belong to a family I can call my own.

The Official Newsletter of CRIBS Foundation, Inc.