I would like to introduce a very special lady Neroli Endacott (known to all as Ma).
Ma needs your help, she is always caring for so many children, she has many unfinished jobs.
One main project Ma needs help with is a sun/dining room out from her kitchen. She has had a slab laid and it is need of sliding doors/windows and a roof.
Here is some background information on Ma.
Her name is Neroli Endacott 59 years of age and while others her age are kicking back relaxing enjoying life, Ma is working tirelessly to help damaged and abused children in care, for The Department of Families Gold Coast Office.
Ma is a single Mum who epitomises everything one could ask for in the 'perfect Mother'!!
Ma has been a foster mother for over 10 years;
(This is my story about Ma - I am Jennard, Ma's daughter in law.)
When I first met Ma, I had no understanding of what Foster Care was or where all the children came from. I soon learned that they were children from all different situations and backgrounds all needing the same thing: A place to stay and someone to love and care for them.
A special person that understands their needs.
Someone who is able to help them heal and to teach these precious souls how to trust.
That "someone" is OUR Ma!
I have watched countless times as Neroli/Ma has offered her home, love and devotion to hundreds of children over the years.
Ma recently had 8 children in her care.
A family of seven were of that eight, all who had been separated for 18 months when they first went into care.
So that these children could be reunited Ma took out a large loan to make changes to her three bedroom home to fit all the children.
Ma renovated her bathroom and added a second toilet and turned the existing garage into two bedrooms.
Ma had her very small kitchen renovated to give her a more usable area and a workable bench space/eating bar to handle feeding her newly acquired very large extended family.
Ma then started to add a dinning room on to the house, had a slab laid but is yet to complete this room.
Ma has many unfinished projects as the money from her loan ran out.
Her two credit cards maxed to the hilt, used to clothe, feed and give the children magical memories and happy times.
The loan and credit cards she still struggles to pay off since the children returned to their family. (September 2002)
Ma worked long and tirelessly to actively help reunite the family and is now an important and valued support person to the Family, ensuring she is there to help both children and parents after their nearly four years apart.
Ma is constantly taking photos of 'her' children so that they have memories of their life while away from their own families and turns them into fantastic video CD's for them to take when they return home.
Ma is one of the most kind hearted and loving people I have ever known and it is her inspiration, dedication, total commitment and love that touches so many.
After the children she has cared for return home, they always keep in contact and often come to stay when they need a break or just want to spend time with Ma.
The older ones now make themselves available to help Ma and will baby sit for her if she needs to go out, take a youngster to the Doctors or attend appointments.
It is not unusual to go to Ma's home and find a house full of children.
Her current foster children her Grandchildren and many of her previous foster children.
Everyone calls Ma's place "home".
At one point Ma had 17 children staying with her.
The family of 7, with the eighth child coming for weekends and holidays, a teenager from another family, a child with disabilities, another who needed respite and six from another Careprovider who was hospitalised with blood poisoning.
Ma took her children in and cared for them until their "mum" was well again.
My husband and I, with Departmental approval, took over the care of the child with disabilities so we could alleviate some of Ma's work load.
We helped him, with Ma's input, knowledge and support, reunited him with his brother and sister, where he now resides.
All of us, Ma's family and friends, wonder where she finds her strength and help by supporting her commitment to the children - OUR extended Family!
At present Ma has four children under the age of five, one of which is a premature Baby who the odds were against but with Ma's love, affection and constant care she is now doing really well.
Three year old twins are part of this sibling group, a five year old and the beautiful baby.
We have watched Ma:
- Build up the trust in a child - who forgot how to trust.
- Touch a child – that was so scared of being touched.
- Nurse a crying baby – all night.
- Sit by a hospital bed for hours – with a child suffering with pneumonia and whooping cough.
I could list a thousand wonderful instances Ma does for the children she cares for and I would not, could not cover them all.
Ma teaches all of her children that…
Love is special, trust is vital and faith will get you through.
With today's world the way it is with families falling apart, war and violence Ma stands for all that is precious and kind and her devotion has changed so many young children's outlooks on life.
Ma has been abused by many damaged children, her precious belongings smashed, the children's way of not understanding 'why them'.
Her wrist broken by an angry young lad, threatened and abused by birth parents who do not accept responsibility for their children being in care.
Ma continues to give her support, love and promise of safety to all, knowing it is their way of crying out to be loved and for someone to help heal the pain.
These are the times when we her family, have all said "give it away Ma" but this just makes her stronger knowing the needs these children have.
We have all watched so many children learn how to trust and to open their hearts.
The children who have hit out at her, broken her bones and screamed abuse at her all make amazing changes, when touched by Ma's golden heart.
We have seen these once angry, uncontrollable children turn their lives around and become happy and strong, thanks to Ma.
They feel loved and are able to love in return.
We see them leave Ma's home often sad of returning to another life but strong in the knowledge Ma will always be there for them.
Many of the children Ma cared for in her first years of fostering - now grown into responsible young adults, constantly return to her home to visit the one person who gave them hope and never gave up on them.
The one person who was there for them through the good and the bad!
Recently Ma had a cancer removed from her foot which has left her hobbling around for the past few months when it became infected.
Ma has not asked for help but just keeps on battling.
Taking a premature baby to hospital appointments, contact visits and caring for her precious much loved children.
Ma's car "died" several weeks ago and it amazes us all how no hurdle is too big and all challenges can be overcome.
Ma once again battles on because in her heart she knows it is strength and stability the children need.
Ma is a hero to so many people, touching so many young lives, giving them encouragement, opportunities, hope, faith and wonderful memories that they would never have had the chance to have known without her tender care.
I could write all day of the many great things this special lady has done for the community and the needy.
From children that were struggling at school that are now attending university, the many hours spent helping confused teenagers, to nursing young babies that are fighting for their life to even helping the parents maintain a safe environment once their children return home.
Ma was so concerned about "latch key kids" that she started up and actively ran an after school and vacation care program at a local church for many years - at her own cost and voluntary.
The Church kindly supplied the rooms and power.
(The centre is still active - Ma left to give her more time for the children in her home when Government funding became available and her volunteer helpers could get well deserved pay)
Ma is truly an inspiration to us all and as so many people say, she is battler because she never gives up on 'her' children and always believes there is hope for everyone.
I hope that you can help one of the many unsung heroes that Australia has that never asks for anything in return for her hard work dedication and love she has brought to so many.
Ma was recently chosen as Australia's Biggest Hero by the National Magazine TV Week and nominated Mother Of The Year for the Gold Coast Region 2003.
Ma was chosen as one of the 100 Volunteers for the International Year of Volunteers 2001, recognising her extraordinary contribution to the community of Australia.
Ma has many certificates of recognition but now we see her need for practical help.
Ma spends many hours late at night, when her children are asleep, trying to finish off some of the many tasks that she has started.
Ma has touched so many lives please help us to help Ma with some practical help so that she can have some time to relax.
Ma lives on the Gold Coast.
Our family recently moved and are now living in Cairns, so I am enclosing the details of her Daughter who lives on the Gold Coast (name & address with held).
Ma has truly touched so many lives with her heart of Gold.
As she touched mine, our children's and her other Grandchildren's lives, showing each one of us how special and precious we are.
Ma has dedicated her whole life to helping and protecting children I hope we can now give her some help to make her life a little easier for her to care for her precious young children.
Please help Ma as her home really needs attention - inside and out but to have the extra space with the sun-room finished would help her so much.
Kindest regards
Jennard (surname with held)
I have attached a flyer I made up to send to people as we are trying to have Ma's car replaced as hers has been off the road awaiting repairs and we believe with help we may be able to find a way to get her a more reliable vehicle, that is safe to transport her precious children.
If you have any ideas or can help in any way with this project we would appreciate your input.
Thank you for listening to my story about Ma, I hope and pray, together we can find ways to help her.
