Better Together:

Sanctuary for the Little Ones

The cry of a newborn child is a call for not just basic necessities but also love and care. Unfortunately, not all children are able to turn to their parents, who may be struggling themselves. Boys’ Town Sanctuary Care steps in to provide emergency and short-term respite care to children whose parents are undergoing crises with the help of volunteer respite carers. Ruchi is one of these remarkable individuals who has stepped up to offer her time, energy, and love to children and families in distress. Over the past five years, she has cared for infants as young as seven days old and children up to nine years old.

Ruchi’s Support Network on This Journey

It was Ruchi’s friend, Poornima, another respite carer, who inspired her to embark on this journey. Witnessing the joy and meaning behind respite care made Ruchi keen to take on the caregiving of vulnerable children. Together, they now walk this path, offering each other encouragement and support.

Ruchi admits that respite care does come with its challenges. She recalled a time when she cared for a 10-month-old Baby J while his mother recovered from surgery, where Baby J suffered from severe chest congestion. While she was initially worried about Baby J’s health, with the help of Sanctuary Care staff and other respite carers, Ruchi felt supported and became more experienced in managing the care needs of her respite care children.

Beyond the community of volunteers, Ruchi attributes the support of her husband, Chetan, as vital in her ability to commit to serving as a respite carer. The tag team worked together to navigate the challenges of caretaking, from diaper changes for infants, to guiding the children through processing their experiences. Ruchi also emphasises the invaluable support she receives from the social workers at Sanctuary Care, who are available around the clock for guidance.

Newfound Memories of Love & Compassion

The moments spent together leaves a lasting imprint on both Ruchi and her family, and the respite children themselves, as each child becomes a temporary yet cherished part of their family. It has strengthened their family bonds, teaching them patience, empathy and a deeper appreciation for children's resilience. By modelling compassion in caring for the children, Ruchi’s daughter also became more compassionate and understanding of others. She even joined in for babysitting duties whenever her parents needed a break.

Every Small Act of Love, Goes a Long Way!

Ruchi’s story reflects how opening our hearts and extending a helping hand to those in need within our communities, not only transforms the beneficiary’s life but also enriches our own in many beautiful ways.

You too can make an impact to these precious lives! To learn more about being a respite carer, visit: https://www.boystown.org.sg/sanctuary-care/

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