Fostering - 'It's the most wonderful thing a person can do'
DEE Karim was just 12-years-old when she and her family were driven out of Uganda under the military rule of Idi Amin. They, like so many others of Asian heritage, were no longer welcome in their own country.
But while the event was brutal, scary and uncontrollable for those segregated, the outcome greatly shaped the course of Dee's life.
"I came into this country as a refugee in 1972 and it's because of this that I decided to adopt and foster," says the 50-year-old single parent, who lives in Newcastle with her birth sons Ameer, aged 29, and Aqeel, aged 16, adopted daughters Aneesh, aged 12, and Ameena, aged 10 and two foster children aged 16 and 13.
"I was born in Kenya but grew up in Uganda where my father had a haulage business. We lived in a big house with a veranda – just like you would see in Dallas – and we had a wonderful life where we classed everyone as family."
Dee endured an horrific 24 hour journey across Uganda to the airport, escaping rape only through the protection of a wooden box her father made fitted in the back of a pick-up truck.
"Uganda was a British colony, and when it got independence all the people born under the colony with a British passport were made to go back to their own country," she explains.
"For about three months I was fostered by the WRVS at a place in Eccleshall, so I like to think that I understand foster children and what they have been through.
"This is one of the main reasons I wanted to become a foster carer myself."
Being a single parent didn't deter Dee from first adopting two young girls, then fostering three boys, one of which has just moved to London to live with his birth brother.
"I have two wonderful sons and I know I couldn't ask for better children," she says.
"When I told them I wanted to adopt, and then think about fostering, they couldn't have been more supportive. They came with me for the training with Foster Care Associates, and they're always willing to help me if I need it."
But while Dee admits the rewards of fostering are great, watching a child leave can be incredibly difficult.
"I have a 16-year-old with me now who will soon be going on to take care of himself and I know it will be hard," she admits.
"Watching one board the train to London was difficult for both of us, but he phoned me as soon as he got there to tell me he misses me, which makes me think we did a good job."
Often hard but always gratifying, Dee hopes others will consider becoming foster carers.
"Because of the things I have been through and the experience I've had, I always wanted to give someone else a life," she concludes.
"I'll never forget that when we came here someone gave me and my family a life, and fostering enables me to help others who need it. It's the most wonderful thing a person can do."
Marie-Louise Allred, recruitment manager for the FCA, says there is currently a shortage of 10,000 foster carers in the UK.
She adds: "There is a drastic shortage, but it doesn't matter how old you are, whether you own your own home, are married, divorced, single, homosexual, or living with a partner – all that matters is that you have the determination to change a child's life."
In Stoke-on-Trent, there is a particular shortage of carers for older children. Sue Booth, Principal manager for fostering in the city says: "Locally we need carers for all ages, but in particular for the older children – primary school age and upwards."
Marie-Louise says people should not be put off by the application process, as the FCA is there to help every step of the way.
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