Foster Care Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me – Lateesha’s Story

Lateesha has called the South Burnett home since she was eight years old. Growing up surrounded by the countryside, she found peace and stability—something she credits to her experience in foster care.

“I was a child in care from the age of eight, long-term, right up until 18,” she said. “Realistically, I can say for myself, that is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

For Lateesha, foster care wasn’t something to hide or feel ashamed of.

“Being in foster care doesn’t define who you are. Being in foster care isn’t a secret. It’s life. It happens, and it should be talked about.”

A Home That Made a Difference

Lateesha was placed in a home in Murgon, where she was raised by a single foster mum who gave her the love, guidance, and stability she needed to thrive.

“She opened her heart, opened her home, and she raised us by herself,” she said. “She’s just a really loving mum.”

She knows that there are many children out there who, like her, just need a safe place to call home.

“It’s sad, but there are a lot of kids out there who need a loving home. If you’re able to provide support, love, kindness—just open your heart and your home to children who really need it—they will gain so much from that,” she said. “They thrive and succeed in life, and that’s the best thing you can do for a child.”

Understanding Her Journey

Looking back, Lateesha recognises that foster care gave her the opportunity to grow into the person she is today.

“I always will say—it is the best thing that ever happened to me and the biggest blessing,” she said.

She has also come to understand that being placed in care wasn’t a reflection of her worth, but rather the circumstances of her biological family.

“For my parents, growing up, I came to understand that it’s not that I wasn’t good enough for them—it’s that they weren’t capable of raising their children,” she said.

That realisation gave her a deep appreciation for foster carers—the people who step in, provide love, and treat children as their own.

“For someone else to be able to take on those kids and love them as their own, and give them all those things—it really changes your life.”

Could You Change a Child’s Life?

Lateesha’s story is a powerful reminder of how foster care can give a child the stability, love, and opportunity they deserve.

If her experience has inspired you to consider becoming a foster carer, we’d love to talk to you. Visit [insert direct website link] to learn more about how you can provide a safe and loving home for a child in need.

Because every child deserves a place to belong.