THE infant was unwanted, born prematurely in a toilet. His mother was a teenager.
That was all Ms Saharah Rajamat knew about the Chinese newborn when she went to pick him up years ago.
He is now eight, and all she sees is a sweet, talkative and clever child who seeks her out as soon as he is home from school. He has cerebral palsy, but Ms Saharah, 46, looks past that.
When babies are abandoned, or children have to be separated from their parents because of abuse, neglect or other reasons, it is people like Ms Saharah whom the authorities turn to.
She is among a group of 188 volunteers who step forward to take such children into their homes and shower them with care and love.
An infant boy who was left outside a Sikh temple in January is now with one of these foster families too.
The authorities hope to locate his family, but if they are not found or are deemed unsuitable to care for him, one option would be to put the baby up for adoption.
Since the fostering scheme was started in 1956, more than 5,000 children have been placed in the care of stand-in parents until long- term care arrangements can be made.
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) said it is always on the lookout for more of such volunteers.
The foster parents are almost exclusively women and many have been long-time volunteers who have cared for more than one child.
As of the beginning of this year, about 280 children were on the scheme. Most were infants and children under six years old.
The foster mums said they joined the scheme for a variety of reasons.
Ms Saharah, who is married with three daughters, all in their teens now, said she grew bored staying at home after her girls grew up. She needed something to occupy her time about eight years ago.
Her first foster child was a four-year-old girl who arrived with bruises on her body.
'It was difficult to care for her initially as she did not know anything and could not speak English, count or write,' said Ms Saharah. 'I had to teach her everything.'
The girl, now 13, is still living with her.
The eight-year-old boy is her second foster child.
Some children are placed under 'long-term' care and remain with their foster parents until they are independent and can take care of themselves.
Mrs Linda Lim, 51, has been a foster mum to nine children since 2003, and they stayed with her family for between four months and up to five years.
She is now looking after three toddlers and a nine- year-old boy with her husband, Robin, 55, who runs a business organising tours.
She said: 'If I do not see my foster children even for one day, I cannot sleep. I do not understand how some parents can dump their children.'
Mrs Lim, whose three children are in their 20s, quit her travel-agent job about two years ago to become a 'full- time' foster parent.
Some foster parents have become so attached to the work that they have done it for years.
For example, Madam Indranee Nadisen and Madam Thiruvigandam Sembugavalie, both 68, have looked after more than 80 children between them over several years.
Call them a few good women. The MCYS recruits them through talks, word-of- mouth recommendations and other ways.
In particular, it looks for those willing to take in older children aged seven and above - who may be difficult to handle because of their unfortunate backgrounds - and children with disabilities.
Foster parents get an allowance of between $650 and $700 monthly per child.
They are also given another sum to cover the child's school-going expenses.
But the money is the least of the reasons for being a volunteer. In fact, they say the allowances do not cover what they spend on their charges.
The foster parents say their work brings them joy, but there is occasional pain too.
Mrs Lim recalled a boy who told lies, spewed vulgarities and stole from the family.
'We tried so hard to talk to him, but it was hard to change him,' she said.
The boy returned to his parents after living with the Lims for some years.
But by far, the most wrenching experience for a foster mum is having to say goodbye when the children find new adoptive parents or return to their families.
Said Mrs Lim: 'It is hard to let the child go, but we have learnt to thank God that they have found a better home.'
Still, the volunteers say, they will keep doing it.
Said Mr Lim: 'Being foster parents involves making certain sacrifices in our lives. But the sacrifices are matched by the joys we get looking after them.
'This volunteer work really makes a difference in these children's lives.'
Anyone who is interested to be a foster parent can call MCYS on 6562-2211. Applicants must be at least 25 years old, have strong parenting skills and a reliable source of income, among other things.
