There were 930 foster families and 904 children receiving foster care service at the end of 2011, the Social Welfare Department says.
Foster care provides residential family care for children whose parents cannot adequately take care of them due to ill health, mental or physical disabilities, divorce, imprisonment, drug rehabilitation or child abuse, so they can continue to enjoy family life until they can reunite with their families or find other long-term social welfare arrangements.
Mrs Au and her husband have two grown sons and have also been providing emergency foster care service on a voluntary basis for 13 years. Ten-year-old Ah Yee is their 120th foster child.
Ah Yee's case social worker arranged for her to join the foster family three months ago when neither her mother, who needed to receive long-term treatment, nor other relatives could take care of her.
This year marks Ah Yee's first Chinese New Year celebration with her foster mother and father. Thanks to her foster family, Ah Yee feels loved and cared for.
"Ah Yee is a well-behaved child. Although she was a bit shy upon her arrival, she quickly adapted to the new family life after we kept on communicating, playing and enjoying meals with her," Mrs Au said.
"The Chinese New Year celebration is the first of its kind for us and Ah Yee. We will make some special preparations for her, including festive home decorations and traditional food. As a new member of our family, she will also join us when we visit relatives and friends."
As a foster parent, Mrs Au's new year wish may be different than others.
"Since foster care is just a transitional arrangement, I hope the children can eventually return home and reunite with their family members," she said.
In taking care of foster children over the years, Mrs Au has been deeply impressed by the intimate relationship built up between her family and the children they foster. One of her former charges, now about 20 years old, still keeps in regular contact and comes to visit the family on festival days.
Established in 1982, the department’s Central Foster Care Unit oversees and co-ordinates the provision of foster care services provided by 11 non-governmental organisations – the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, Hong Kong Christian Service, International Social Service Hong Kong Branch, Mother's Choice Limited, Sheng Kung Hui St Christopher's Home, Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service, Po Leung Kuk, Hong Kong Children and Youth Services, Hong Kong Student Aid Society, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, and Yan Chai Hospital Social Service Department.
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here for more information on foster care service or call the Central Foster Care Unit at 2573 2282.
