By JONATHON HOWARD
AN INCREASING number of foster children living across the Southern Downs are crying out for Pyjama Angels to help them read and write.
The Southern and Darling Downs is home to more than 700 children in care with a number of families living in Warwick and surrounds.
A heartfelt appeal is now being made to enlist more volunteers to help ensure foster children are not left behind.
Pyjama Foundation regional co-ordinator, Helen Yeo, said volunteer Pyjama Angels made a significant difference in the lives of these children.
“Surveys have shown that 90 per cent of foster carers with children involved in The Pyjama Foundation program reported improvements in the children’s reading ability,” she said.
Pyjama Angels are recruited from the community and complete a one-day training program before they are linked with a child in care.
Pyjama Angels visit their child on a weekly basis and spend time reading, writing, playing games, doing puzzles, maybe helping with homework, sometimes doing craft and activities.
There are no specific qualifications required; all that is needed is a spare hour or so each week.
Mrs Yeo said Pyjama Angels came from many backgrounds and were aged 18 and above, but all shared a love of books, literature and a willingness to share this with children in care.
“We have a number of Pyjama Angels in the Southern Downs area who are making a huge difference to the lives of many children in care,” she said.
“But there are many more children who would benefit from support.
“In fact our current waiting list includes children living in Warwick and surrounding areas such as Emu Vale and Allora, all keen to have their own Pyjama Angel.”
Mrs Yeo said there was also the opportunity for children in the Stanthorpe area to become involved, as some community members from Stanthorpe had already taken part in training and were keen to be able to support children in their area.
“Children in care so often struggle with learning to read in their early school years, having missed the opportunity to have books and stories a part of their early lives,” she said.
“We see some very strong bonds develop between child and volunteer, with many an excited child waiting at the window for their Pyjama Angel to arrive, then rushing to greet them at the car, eager to see what is ‘in the bag to do today’ “.
Anyone interested in being involved, or in including a child in the program, is invited to contact Helen Yeo on 0419 302 457.
More information on The Pyjama Foundation can be found at www.thepyjamafoundation.com
