When six-year-old Jane* first moved into her new foster home, she dreaded the idea of a goodnight hug from her new carer.
With a difficult childhood behind her, the child struggled to open herself up to affection and express her feelings. "But as the days passed she learned to feel comfortable in her new home and now she comes up to me and asks for cuddles," her foster mother Mary* says with an affectionate smile.
"I remember the first time she cried, after having lived with us for some time, we were glad. It was over something silly but we were so glad she had finally let out some of the emotions she had bottled up inside her," Mary adds.
Jane has now been living with Mary and her family for almost seven years. She was lucky to find a supportive home, but 70 other children - ranging from young babies to 16-year-olds - are still waiting to find a family to look after them.
Mary, the mother of two young girls, first started pondering the idea of fostering when she heard a radio programme about the need for more foster carers.
"I started thinking about all the children out there who wanted a family. I'd look at my daughters and see how they left so much food on their plates and I'd think another child could easily live with us."
She ran the idea past her husband and daughters who were about seven and 10 at the time. After consulting the girls, the couple signed up for the Appoġġ Agency's fostering course.
Then it happened suddenly. A six-year-old girl needed an immediate family. Whereas usually the children are slowly introduced to their foster carers, Jane was taken to Mary's house within days.
"Initially Jane lived in her own world and was very reserved... Then she went through a phase where she went out of her way to make herself loved and would offer to do every chore," Mary recalls.
Slowly she started feeling more at home, opening up and feeling relaxed and accepted. "Now she does not volunteer so much with the chores although she helps out a lot," Mary teases.
Today, the 12-year-old shares a bedroom with Mary's eldest daughter who thinks of her as her sister.
"I do my best to make sure I treat her like I treat my other two girls. If I give them pocket money, I give her some too," she said.
When people ask Mary how many children she has she replies with a prompt "three daughters".
"Although Jane does not call me 'mum' I've been told that at school she talks about us as her family. I never pressured her to call me 'mum'. I know she's been through a lot," she says.
Mary is well aware that fostering is not adoption and may result in the child being returned to her natural family if it is in her best interests. But this has not put her off.
"If Jane were to decide to go back to her family, I'd respect it. Some people think it's a waste to have dedicated years to a fostered child who then walks out on you. But so can your own children.
"The way I see it, I'd be proud if she would look back at her life and think of me as the woman who gave her a good upbringing. I am making sure there is another good citizen in Malta and that's to everyone's benefit."
There are 160 children in foster care, 81 boys and 79 girls. About 250 children were fostered since 2000 and 55 fostering courses have been offered by Appoġġ.
In the same period, 61 of the children reached the age of 18 and of these 31 continued to live with their foster parents and 30 moved back in with their natural families or out on their own.
Appoġġ is calling for more people to foster children and sign up for the necessary training.
Those who are interested in becoming foster carers can contact Appoġġ's fostering team on 2295 9000, supportline 179, or visit www.appogg.gov.mt for more information.
* Names have been changed to protect the identity of the child.