Playtimes HK Magazine October 2017 Issue | Page 44

been placing children with loving
families. Angela Baura introduces the
charities’ Bridge Programme
T
hree months ago, long-term
residents Mark and Wika
Rawson temporarily opened
their home to a one-month
old baby girl. Mark (father of three
grown-up children) and Wika (mother of
two sons living at home) had considered
adopting a child but felt the long-term
commitment might be too much for
them right now. Instead, they signed
up for Project Bridge – a programme
created by local charity Mother’s Choice
that connects volunteer families to
children in need of temporary care.
“Mother’s Choice and the Bridge
Programme are great for new foster
parents – they make it less daunting
and we liked the concept of providing
temporary shelter and support to young-
sters. We recently took in our first child
and she is an absolute delight! As Rudy
[Wika’s 15 year old son] puts it, she has
brought us all together with a common
purpose. We truly hope she moves on to
new permanent parents who can enjoy
what we have and we then look forward
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to welcoming a new youngster into our
home,” Mark and Wika share.
The Rawsons are part of a growing
movement of Project Bridge families
temporarily opening their homes and
hearts to children living without a safe
family. While the children are being cared
for, Mother’s Choice works hard to make
sure they can join a safe, loving, and
permanent family as soon as possible.
Alia Eyres, CEO of the charity, which
has served 1000s of pregnant teens and
babies without families, shares that
there is a pressing need for more
families to open their homes through
Project Bridge.
“For every child we take in, there are
several more that need our help. The
number of girls facing crisis pregnancy,
and families in need of support, continue
to grow. We’re looking for more families
to open their homes through Project
Bridge, to provide safe, temporary, and
loving care to a child in need. I believe
that many of us have the capacity to give
more,” says Alia.
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g For 30 years, Mother’s Choice has