Oluseyi’s Story

We’re inching towards Christmas… a time to be with family and friends; a time for giving; to see the season’s magic reflected in the bright-lit eyes of children as they open presents or count down the hours until they can get to do so.

But it’s a time of pressure, too, when budgets are strained to breaking point and when desperate hopes to have that dream Christmas fade a little bit with each bill that comes through the letterbox.

In these of all times, though, generosity is needed more than ever.

Working with Tusla to provide supported lodgings for separated children newly arrived here from abroad is one way to put that generosity into action.

Not alone is a new beginning being offered to those fleeing strife, but in pragmatic terms our own economy benefits from the fresh talent that is subsequently introduced to our workforce.

Oluseyi (pronounced Olooshay) Olatunji is a case in point. The mother-of-two arrived here from Nigeria in 2002, fleeing religious persecution. She had followed her mother across to Ireland, who herself had fled when the Christian church she had founded in her homeland in Ogun State was burned to the ground by members of another tribe with different religious beliefs.

Like her mum, Oluseyi fled for her life, and it was on arrival here that she was given a chance to build a new future for herself.

Listening to her tell her story, it is difficult to reconcile the bubbly, vivacious woman with the hardships she endured as a refugee, having to live separated from her child and mother for more than three years while she was moved from one residential centre to another, as she tried to educate herself and come to terms with a whole new society.

‘It was very difficult. The weather, the culture, mixing with people,’ she says.

Although Oluseyi spoke English, she still found communication difficult. Over time, though, and with support from social services, she settled and went to college, while her mum and a minder cared for her young son.

By 2006, Oluseyi was working as a healthcare assistant in nursing homes and hospitals. By the following year she was providing supported lodgings for older teenagers in care after completing the assessment and vetting process.

In 2016, she became a foster carer for younger children in Tusla care having been reassessed and completed the required training. Since then, she has been providing ongoing support in short-term, full-time, and emergency care of children and young people – and she has been doing that invaluable work ever since.

Now she is living in Dublin and is a single mum to two sons, both of whom are grown up.

Over the years, she has had multiple placements, some easier than others, all of which she has handled with pragmatism and love.

Recalling her first placement, a Nigerian girl, who was with her for more than a year, she says of the experience: ‘You have to be honest with yourself and know what you can and cannot do. You must be patient; let the child settle and let them get to understand you and let you understand the child.

‘One of the hardest things was taking in a child who had no English – that was the most difficult thing to cope with. It was difficult to build trust because I had to use a translator to communicate,’ she adds.

Raising her own two boys while providing a loving environment for children who were separated from their parents is not easy, but Oluseyi has done so through consultation with her children.

‘Before I would take a child in, I would sit down with my boys and tell them about the child – their age, where they’re coming from. I tell them I need their help and that they should show love. They have all got on with each other because we always take time to have family meetings – a sit down that will stop any tensions that are building up in the house.’

She says that the whole practice of supporting separated children has helped her sons become better people – more willing to listen to others and to show compassion.

Tusla has been there to help Oluseyi throughout her care journey.

‘I have had very good experience and great support from Tusla; even if I had to call them in the middle of the night, they’re there. I have nothing negative to say about them,’ she says.

Of course, there are challenges. One of her most difficult placements that had broken down, recently returned to visit the family, with a card, and apologising for his past behaviour.

‘Not everything is easy,’ says Oluseyi, ‘but you always have that love for them, even when things go wrong,’ she says.

But the successes have far outweighed any temporary heartache as far as she is concerned- and what successes the mother-of-two has had over the years…

Her eldest son (30) now works in IT, having done a degree in Engineering, while his 19-year-old brother is now studying computer science in third level.

And as far as those separated children she supported are concerned, well, see for yourself…

One is working, having completed a master’s degree in Engineering; one is studying Economics, another just finished a psychology degree, while two siblings she cared for are also in third level.

Her most recent foster child has just aged out and is now on Aftercare allowance and attending Maynooth University.

All this from a single mum of two. Not that Oluseyi thinks she’s that special…

‘Anybody can do what I have done; you just to have passion and interest and have dreams.’

And the secret to being a good foster carer?

‘You must listen to their opinions and understand their differences. Study the child and give the child a chance to understand that you are there to help,’ she says.

And there’s no sign of her stopping any time soon to rest on her laurels.

‘I’m enjoying it – seeing the children coming back and having good news. I will do this as long as I’m able to.’

Christmas is a time for giving, and this woman, who fled for her life to these shores 20 years ago, has been giving ever since she arrived here; raising a series of young people to go to third-level colleges, gain degrees, master’s degrees and other qualifications that they can use to build careers for themselves, and, in their own way, give back to society the way their mum/foster mum, Oluseyi, has.

By becoming part of Tusla’s supported lodgings network, you, too, can make just as much of a difference by opening your heart and your door to those fleeing conflict, war, and persecution.

If you would like to find out more contact us by freephone, email or sign up for our online information session where our team will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.