Foster Child's Mother's Day Gratitude for Kinship Carer

This Mother's Day, the story of Jaharn Mundy-Drazevich offers a powerful testament to the transformative impact of kinship care and the profound gratitude one can feel for a maternal figure who chooses to nurture. Jaharn, now a confident 19-year-old, reflects on a childhood marked by the uncertainty and anxiety of foster care, a stark contrast to the secure and loving home he now shares with Selina Walker. His journey from a child questioning his lovability to a young advocate speaking with seasoned politicians highlights the resilience fostered by consistent, chosen parental love.

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If she wasn't there, I honestly don't know where I would have ended up.

Selina Walker's decision to become a kinship foster parent at the age of 29, taking in Jaharn and six closely related siblings, was a profound act of commitment. Raising them as a single parent was a decade-long endeavor, focused on providing the stability Jaharn desperately needed. "I had to demonstrate to him that I'm not going anywhere," Walker recalls, emphasizing the importance of showing him he was not being abandoned. This dedication to allowing children to simply 'be kids' amidst the chaos of trauma is a hallmark of exceptional foster care, a sentiment echoed in the cultural traditions of support and care within Indigenous communities.

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She didn't have to take us on, but she did.

Walker's unwavering dedication has not gone unnoticed. Recognized as the ACT's Barnardos' Mother of the Year in 2017 and awarded the 2024 ACT Australian of the Year Local Hero, her impact extends far beyond her own household. As a founding member of the Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation, she actively contributes to community-controlled initiatives supporting Indigenous families and children. Her more than 20 years as a foster carer, currently raising nine children, exemplify a deep-seated commitment to child welfare, demonstrating that the rewards of seeing children thrive, like Jaharn, far outweigh the immense challenges of raising traumatized youth.

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When I was told that they were going to have to go to foster care because I couldn't find any other kinship carers, that's when I decided that I would take [Jaharn] into my care.

From an Australian perspective, Jaharn's story shines a light on the critical role of kinship care, particularly within Indigenous communities, where such practices are deeply embedded in cultural norms. While international coverage might focus on the broader foster care system, Jaharn's narrative emphasizes the unique strength and cultural continuity provided by family members stepping in to care for children. His desire to advocate for other children in care is a direct result of the stability and love he received, showcasing the positive cycle of giving back that Selina Walker has inspired. This story is a heartwarming reminder of the profound difference one dedicated individual can make in the lives of many.

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I had to demonstrate to him that I'm not going anywhere. I'm not abandoning you. I look after the other [children] … so he could actually just be a kid.