Community 
On Fathers' Day, the pitter-patter of children’s feet could be constantly heard at the Tampines home of Mr Lim Yook Gweek, 61. It was an especially joyous occasion for someone who has been a foster father to 14 children.
"Family is anyone you share your life with. Family is anyone you love and invite to share your home with," says Mr Lim. "It does not necessarily mean you are blood-related."
Eight years ago, Mr Lim chanced upon a newspaper article calling for foster parents to step forward to open their hearts and homes to children. He responded with a phone call to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), and decided to join the Fostering Scheme.
Under this scheme, foster families provide shelter, stability and love to children who need the service. These are children under the age of 18 whose parents or guardians are of ill-health and cannot look after them. Some children have also been abandoned, neglected or ill-treated by their parents or guardians.
Counting His Blessings
Mr Lim and his wife 54-year-old Mdm Choo Kheng Huay have four grown-up children and four grandchildren, and he counts his blessings that his home is always livened up by the little ones.
His role as a father to his foster children, though temporary, is taken very seriously. So much so that he has just opened a savings account for a foster daughter, periodically putting in small amounts. "This is so that she has some form of security when she grows up. It is my hope for her that she will someday attend University," he says.
The part-time taxi driver showers the children with as much love, care, and attention as he possibly can, taking them out for walks or trips to the playground, giving them lunch treats and ferrying them to school.
"I want to give them as many happy memories as I possibly can. Trips to the zoo, beaches, excursions, even overseas, for those who have their passport," says Mr Lim. He has brought his foster children to countries like Malaysia, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam and China. "They are happy, joyful and outgoing children who deserve to have as much in their lives as they possibly can."
Opening Heart and Home
Of course, life as a foster father is not all roses and sunshine. It entails cleaning up poop after toddlers and dealing with tantrums and tears. Yet, Mr Lim says that it’s all worth it when he discovers that he has helped to make a difference to their lives. "Parenting is not without hard work. But at the end of the day it's worth it. The bonds and the emotions these children put into your heart . . . they are not easily forgotten," he shares.
Foster children who have left the home still keep in contact and send him birthday and Father’s Day cards. He is happy that they have moved on, and continues to open his heart – and his home – to children each year.
Mr Lim has, time and again, given children the courage to make a life of their own, to take a step away from the pain of the past and put one foot into the future.
"Thank you for taking care of me when I'm a baby and support me," one card read in imperfect English. He treasures it, along with all the other thoughtful and appreciative messages he has received over the years.
By selflessly giving, Mr Lim has permanently earned a place in the hearts of the children he has been taking care of with such love and devotion.
Editor's note: Mr Lim has been featured in a Straits Times story on fostering. Read it here.
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If you can offer a child a stable and loving home as foster parents, and nurture their growth and potential, call the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports at 6354-8799 or visit www.mcys.gov.sg/fostering to find out more.
About the Author: The DadsforLife Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
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