In Defense of Foster Care

I would like to respond to “A Child’s Replaced but Not Forgotten” by Cecilia Rodriguez (Jan. 16).

I am afraid that this article presents a biased and unfair picture of the many wonderful organizations that are working in Third World countries to help alleviate the crushing burdens of poverty and ignorance.

How could anyone continue to send money for the care and support of a little girl for three years and not question the program administrators as to why the child’s circumstances seemed to be steadily getting worse, never mind improving, for all that period of time? I support two children through a sponsorship program and the letters that I receive from these dear little souls are full of joy and hope at the changed circumstances of their lives that my support has provided. If it were otherwise, I would have certainly gone to the organization that I send my money to and demanded an explanation.

I know that it is sometimes very wrenching to have the relationship with one of these children interrupted. It’s just as difficult as when the relationship with our own children is changed as they grow and go away to school, marry and start their own families. But to imply that the support that had been provided has made no difference in the life of this child is unfair. While they may be having trouble letting go of Martha, to impose middle-class American dreams on a Colombian teen-ager is not only unrealistic, it is unfair.

CAREN J. SEAMAN

Arcadia