Opening Remarks by Minister Masagos Zulkifli at the 70th Fostering Anniversary Appreciation Dinner

Foster families,

Boys and Girls,

Partners from Fostering Agencies,

Members of the Committee on Fostering,

 

Introduction

1.      Good evening. I am delighted to join all of you as we celebrate 70 years of fostering in Singapore --- seven decades of families opening their hearts and homes to children who needed safety, stability and care.

 

2.      Fostering in Singapore started with a simple but profound conviction: every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable and nurturing family environment where they can thrive.

 

3.      Over the past 70 years, more than 6,500 children have benefitted from foster care.

 

4.      Tonight is an opportunity to honour our foster children and youth, the foster families who have welcomed them into their lives, and the professionals and partners who have journeyed alongside them.

 

Celebrating Our Foster Children and Youth

5.      Later tonight, we will present awards to 39 foster children and youth for remarkable achievements in academics, sports, the arts, and character development.

 

6.      These awards recognise not only their achievements, but also the perseverance, courage, determination and resilience behind them.

 

7.      Our research affirms what foster families and care professionals see every day: caring relationships and consistent encouragement help children in foster and residential care build confidence and pursue their aspirations. Today, we see these findings bearing out in the children and youth we are recognising. With consistent care and support, they have grown in confidence, pursued their aspirations, and made remarkable achievements.

 

8.      One of the young people we are recognising tonight is Isabelle*. Her journey shows us what can happen when determination is met with the right support and encouragement.

 

• While preparing for her N-Level examinations, she balanced her studies with part-time work and her Chinese Dance CCA commitments.
• Through discipline and hard work, she made significant improvements across her subjects, earning the Edusave Scholarship Award and several accolades at her school awards ceremony, including awards in Science, Elements of Business Skills, and Outstanding Academic Achievement.
• She also took on leadership positions in school. As Vice-Chairperson of her Chinese Dance CCA, she contributed to her team earning a Certificate of Distinction at the Singapore Youth Festival, and participated in a school production showcasing the performing arts.
• Isabelle, we are proud of your resilience and determination and look forward to seeing more of your achievements in the years ahead.

 

9.      To all our foster children and youth, continue to believe in yourselves and in what you can become. Your journey may not always be easy, but with your hard work and the support of those around you, you can continue moving towards your hopes and dreams.

 

Recognising Our Foster Parents

10. The achievements we celebrate tonight would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of our foster parents.

 

11. Fostering is more than providing a roof over a child's head. It is about welcoming a child into one’s home, celebrating successes, providing guidance through setbacks, and enabling the child to experience the love that a family can provide.

 

12. Foster parents make sacrifices that often go unseen. They adjust family routines, navigate challenges and remain steadfast through uncertain times. Yet foster parents often tell us that they too are changed by the fostering experience, gaining a deeper appreciation of family, greater resilience and a stronger sense of purpose.

 

13. As we celebrate 70 years of fostering, we pay special tribute to our fostering pioneers and the families whose contributions have spanned decades.

 

14. Two such pioneers are Mdm Sartha and Mdm Sembugavalie. Unfortunately, Mdm Sartha and her family have the flu and are unable to be here with us today, but let me share a little bit about Mdm Sartha.

 

15. Mdm Sartha began fostering in 1976 when a friend asked whether she could care for a premature baby. What began with one compassionate decision became a lifelong commitment to children in need.

 

• Over four decades, Mdm Sartha has cared for more than 10 children, providing each of them with stability, encouragement and a sense of belonging.
• Today, one of her former foster children continues to stay with her, a testament to the enduring relationships that fostering can create.
• Inspired by her example, her son and daughter-in-law became foster parents in 2009 and have since opened their home to four children.

 

16. Mdm Sembugavalie, better known as Mdm Valie, began her fostering journey in 1974.

 

• Over the decades, she cared for more than 40 foster children.
• Supported by her own children and extended family, she welcomed every child as part of the family and treated them like her own children.
• Today, Mdm Valie’s former foster children remain connected with her and her family, reflecting the enduring bonds that fostering can create.

 

17. To Mdm Sartha, Mdm Valie, and other fostering pioneers, thank you for laying the foundations of the strong fostering community we have today, and for inspiring all of us through your compassion and dedication.

 

Recognising Our Foster Care Workers and Partners

18. Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the contributions of our Fostering Agencies and Foster Care Workers, as well as the many partners who contribute to the fostering ecosystem.

 

19. From helping families navigate difficult situations, to providing guidance and advocating for children's needs, Foster Care Workers play a critical role in ensuring that children and foster families receive the support they need. They celebrate milestones with families, stand with them through challenges, and provide the professional expertise that helps foster placements succeed.

 

20. Later this evening, we will recognise Foster Care Workers whose dedication and contributions have supported children and foster families throughout their fostering journeys.

 

21. I would also like to express my appreciation to our Committee on Fostering members, who review the care plans for our foster children and youth. Drawing on your diverse experience and expertise, you have provided valuable perspectives on how we can better support foster children, foster parents and families. Thank you for working alongside us to make sure that our foster children and youth receive the best possible care.

 

Conclusion

22. Seventy years on, our fostering ecosystem has adapted to changing needs and now offers stronger support to children and foster parents. Last year, we increased the fostering allowance for families caring for teenagers. In October this year, we provided foster parents with access to HealthHub to manage healthcare matters for their foster children. We are now working on providing foster parents with access to MOE’s Parents Gateway, so that it is easier for them to support their foster children’s education journey. We expect this to be ready by first quarter next year.

 

23. While our fostering system has evolved, one thing has remained constant: fostering touches the lives of everyone involved.

 

• For children and youth who cannot remain safely with their families, fostering provides a loving and nurturing family environment.
•  For foster parents and their families, fostering builds deeper relationships, brings new perspectives and creates a greater sense of purpose.
• For professionals and partners, fostering creates meaningful connections and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children and foster families.

 

24. To every foster parent, foster child and youth, Foster Care Worker, volunteer, agency partner and supporter, thank you for being part of this remarkable community.

 

25. The next chapter of our fostering story depends on all of us continuing to support our foster families, strengthen the community around them and create better opportunities for every child to thrive.

 

26. A better future does not happen by chance. It begins when each of us chooses to play our part. Better Starts With Us.

 

27. Happy 70th Fostering Anniversary. I wish all of you a wonderful evening ahead.

 

28. Thank you.

 

*Not her real name