Chistmas is traditionally a time of gifts and giving.
And for one couple, it’s all about providing a warm and nurturing home to two young foster children.
Ms Anjelan Paul Anthony and Mr David Noel Ariokiasamy recently celebrated their first Christmas with their second foster child, a two-year-old boy.
Their first foster child is a two-year-old girl and their biological daughter is now 12.
The family’s journey is a heartwarming testament to the power of kindness and generosity.
For Ms Anjelan, daughter of a single parent, and Mr David, who was orphaned at a very young age and grew up with an extended family, fostering is not just about providing a home for children in need. It’s also about creating a family filled with love, laughter and joy.
“I was hesitant at first, worried about managing three children together,” admitted Ms Anjelan. “But, when I thought about the little one waiting in the hospital for a loving home, I knew I had to act.”
With support from Mr David and their biological daughter, the family welcomed the second foster child into their home shortly after Christmas last year.
They had been planning an overseas holiday when they received a call from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) about a child being available for fostering.
It was no small decision, so they took some time to think it through, before shelving the holiday plan and proceeding with the fostering offer.
The couple came to know about fostering when they visited Mr David’s aunt and observed a happy family with two biological and six foster children. It left a lasting impression on Ms Anjelan, Asia-Pacific head of global immigrations at an IT company.
Fostered children usually leave their families due to safety concerns. It is a temporary care arrangement and they return to their biological families when they are older and better able to fend for themselves.
Ms Anjelan decided she wanted to have a family that included foster children when it became clear that her husband and her were unlikely to have a second biological child of their own.
She shared her plan with her husband and their biological daughter, who was 10 at the time. Together, they decided to apply for a foster child.
After an 11-month wait, they received the call on Aug 5, 2022 that changed their lives – a baby girl, just two weeks old, was in need of a foster home.
“We were overjoyed,” Ms Anjelan,42, recalled.
As they prepared for the new arrival, they bought all the essentials online, from feeding bottles to a pram and a baby car seat.
They also had to go through a three-month learning journey on how to take care of a new born.
Explained Ms Anjelan: “It had been some time since the birth of our daughter, so the training was useful.”
With the guidance of hospital staff and MSF officers, they navigated the ups and downs of caring for the baby.
“It was a steep learning curve, but we were determined to give our foster child the best possible start,” said Ms Anjelan.
“The support we received from the hospital and MSF was invaluable – the people were kind, patient and always available to offer advice and reassurance.”
When the big day arrived, Mr David, a safety, health and environment engineer in a pharmaceutical company, was restless at work, eager to rush home to pick up the baby for the first time.
Their first Christmas with their first foster child in 2022 was a memorable one, filled with laughter, love and gifts from friends and family. But little did they know that their family was about to grow again.
Almost 14 months later, they received another call – a 15-month-old baby boy was in need of a foster home.
Ms Anjelan immediately asked: “What if I don’t accept?” The response was heartbreaking – the child would remain in the hospital until a suitable home was found.
That’s when she decided to welcome the new foster child into their family.
When they first met the new child, something remarkable happened. The first foster child grabbed the new baby and tried to bond.
As Ms Anjelan watched the heartwarming scene, her eyes welled up with tears. In that moment, she felt a deep sense of pride and gratitude, realising that her children were teaching her and Mr David invaluable lessons about love, acceptance and family.
Today, the couple and their three kids are a happy family. Their home, a five-room HDB flat, is always filled with laughter and fun. Sometimes, it gets a little crazy with three young children.
Last week, as they prepared to celebrate Christmas together, Ms Anjelan reflected on their journey.
“I dream of having a huge space one day, where I can foster as many children as possible,” she said, her eyes shining with determination.
Mr David, 46, chimed in: “With three kids, every day feels like a celebration. Even a small break in the week feels like a vacation.”
“Now, buying things is three times the effort, but even the joy I get is threefold.”
So, any plans for a third foster child?
“Yes, if we are able to,” said Ms Anjelan with a smile.
