March 30, 2012 marked the unfolding of a new chapter in the life of this man whose nationality is different from ours. It was not only his birthday, but it was when he received the life-changing gift he could ever have—a Filipino foster child.

Mikel Arriet, a Spanish chef and now a general manager of a prestigious country club has been living in the Philippines for almost nine years now. Work was the main reason which brought him here in the country, but little did he know that he would eventually go beyond his passion for hotel management and interest in the world of hospitality. Through the years, Arriet’s heart was touched by the sight of children deprived of family.

 

THE FIRST STEP

The Spanish chef checked the internet for possible organizations that offers adoption. He found out about the Kaisahang Buhay Foundation and went there for a meeting. But because of the hectic schedule he has, Arriet has decided to postpone his adoption plans.

“I went there to have the first meeting. I even got to attend the adoption orientation. As a chef and I was living the best point of my life, with all the busy schedule I have, it became hard for me to comply with the adoption requirements and processes so I decided to stop. Maybe it’s not yet the time,” Arriet said.

 

PERSISTENCY

 Adoption has never crossed his mind since then. He went back searching and checking for other possible organizations. That’s when the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) came into the picture.  However, there were still stumbling blocks to overcome

“As per assessment, mahirap i-defend na siya ay may parenting capability at kaya niyang mag-alaga ng bata dahil single siya at foreigner, kung kaya’t binigyan siya ng mas masusing assessment at foster care muna ang ni-recommend,” Ms. Angie, Social Welfare Officer I said.

Foster care is the provision of planned temporary substitute parental care to a child by a foster parent duly licensed by the DSWD. It is a very nurturing alternative parental care for abandoned, neglected, orphaned children and other children with special needs.

Without hesitation, Arriet agreed to the recommendation.

“I was amazed with this program as it is a better way to help. You’ll have a family; a child who you would keep for months in preparation for his / her placement to another family permanently. But in the mean time, he’s with you. This is better than other organization because the attention you give to the child is direct; one is to one. You give this child a chance to have a family of his own,” he shared.

 

NO EASY WAY

 Issues have come his way while processing the documents. One thing is his being a foreigner and the other is his being single. With the long process, giving up has never crossed his mind.

“The numerous requirements and processes was never a problem to me as long as I will reach my goal. I know that I’m single and there would be so many questions but I understand,” he said.

 

THE FOREIGNER MEETS THE FOSTER CHILD

 It was his 36^th birthday when he met Juan Miguel “Jon” Tapia. He admitted that it didn’t become easy for the both of them at the beginning, but after a while, he has finally established a bond with the child. On that moment, he knew Jon accepted him to be his family.

“The first 15 days was like wow! This sure is a really big responsibility. I was questioning myself if I would really be able to do this. With the help of my colleagues and the yaya, I was able to learn step by step. My mother and my sister also guided me through this. Right now, it’s very easy for me to take care of him,” he shared.

 

NO REGRETS

Arriet never regretted fostering Jon despite of the challenges he has faced and will be facing as a single father.

“He makes me happy. He has positively changed my life and has given me the chance to be his father and mother at the same time.”

Nationality is never a hindrance if the only thing you want to do is help. A child in need does not see what your nationality is or where you come from. A child needs a family. A child deserves a family.

The Foster Care Program has opened both his heart and eyes for two facts. One, that he can be a father and two; that he can change a life.***