Every child deserves to grow up in a home filled with love, care, and security. But in the Philippines, poverty and difficult living conditions have forced thousands of children to live without families of their own. To address this, the Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF)—a non-profit child and family welfare organization—continues its mission of raising awareness about the importance of foster care and its life-changing impact.
Recently, KBF held its first-ever Virtual Blogger Event themed “FosterCarePH: Working Together Towards a More Effective and Efficient Foster Care System.” The event was organized in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Norfil Foundation Inc., the Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines (ACCAP), and the Advisory Committee on Foster Care (ACFC).
A Call for More Foster Families
“This is a milestone for many families and children in the Philippines,” shared Gil Velez, KBF Strategy Planning Consultant and adoptive parent. “We want to send an urgent call for more families to open their homes to abandoned children who are waiting for love and care.”
Through the event, KBF hopes to encourage more Filipinos to consider fostering or adoption, giving disadvantaged children the opportunity to experience the warmth of family life—even if temporarily.
What Filipinos Think About Foster Care
During the event, Miramel Garcia-Laxa of DSWD presented the highlights of the KBF & DSWD Awareness Survey on Foster Care in the Philippines, conducted from May 12 to June 2, 2021. The results revealed:
- 53% of respondents are familiar with foster care
- 93% are interested in learning more about it
- 68% prefer to get information about foster care through Facebook
“These numbers show us the potential,” said Laxa. “Filipinos are willing to learn and engage—what we need now is to amplify the message.”
Real Stories of Love and Belonging
The event also featured inspiring testimonies:
Randy Sinay, once a foster child and now a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology officer, shared how his foster parents always treated him as their “bunso,” making him feel loved and accepted despite being teased as ampon. “The bond with my foster family remains strong, even after meeting my biological parents,” Randy said.
Mommy Letty Solana, a foster mom since 1988, has cared for 56 foster children. “It’s never easy to let them go when they’re adopted,” she admitted, “but knowing they will finally have a permanent home gives me comfort. Each child, no matter how stubborn, I treat as my own.”
Their stories highlighted the joys, challenges, and deep fulfillment that come with fostering.
Challenges and Support in the Foster Care System
DSWD and KBF leaders also addressed challenges in recruiting foster families, especially during the pandemic. Misconceptions about attachment and letting go remain hurdles, but efforts are being made to improve accessibility:
- Financial subsidies are available for qualified foster families.
- Streamlined application processes and online options make it easier to apply.
- Families undergo rigorous screening to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
“We want to ensure that children are safe and cared for by families who are truly committed,” said Director Glady Quindoza-Bunao of KBF.
How You Can Help
Foster care has been around for years, but many Filipinos still don’t know how to start. Ma. Teresa Nuqui, Executive Director of Norfil Foundation Inc., emphasized the urgent need:
“The number of abandoned children is increasing. We need more families willing to provide homes so these children can believe in hope again.”
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time to take the first step. Opening your home can change a child’s life forever.
To learn more about fostering and #FosterCarePH, visit https://adoption.dswd.gov.ph/ and https://www.kbf.ph/