Manuela is an on-call mother. She is there when small children suddenly no longer have parents and need a place. Whether for one night or for several months.
It could happen at any moment. One phone call is enough and Manuela still has a child. The mother of three children is an on-call mother in the SOS Children’s Village. She is there for children when their parents are in crisis. Then bad things happen and the little ones from zero to three years old need a new home. Whether for one night or for months.
“Actually, I’m not a substitute mother, I’m just Manu,” she says, smiling but determined. This does not change the dedication and sacrifice for the little ones who live with her for a while. The young woman, who does not want to give her surname or private information for security reasons, currently has a two-year-old child in her care – in addition to her own three.
“We are available 24 hours”
Manuela is one of three on-call mothers in the entire state. That is why she has now been employed by SOS Children’s Villages for three years, for 15 hours a week. Regardless of whether she has a child under supervision or not. “You can always make a phone call. We are available 24 hours a day,” she says. The call has come several times in recent years. She has already taken in eleven children, from babies to toddlers, with her and her family.
“My husband then encouraged me to do it,” says the married woman who speaks to Impact from the Inner Mountains. “He then had to participate in on-call care training.” Her husband also liked it. He still supports her. This also applies to the rest of the family. With three of our own children who are already out of the woods, this cannot be otherwise in the waiting shelter.
Challenging dream job
It becomes clear day after day that her job is one of shortages. Organizations such as SOS Children’s Villages and the child and youth welfare department of the state of Salzburg are desperately looking for people who can take on this task. Provided you have the right qualifications, you can complete the course in just a few weekends.
For Manuela it is the dream job. The former childminder looked for her job and found it: “It’s tiring, but it’s the work I want to do. Even if that means new children celebrate with us every Christmas.”
More information at: www.sos-kinderdorf.at
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
