Pyjama Foundation is a charity in Australia which nurtures and mentors fostered children.https://www.thepyjamafoundation.com/

I have been a volunteer for a number of years. Just recently they organised an outing to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and gave some of the kids and their pyjama angels a day of “behind the scenes with the wildlife carers”.

It was magical for those teenagers who were able to appreciate the joys of looking after animals but also the responsibilities.

We swept poo from the Koala enclosures while they were still sleeping and watched a peregrine falcon having fun with a lure – we practised throwing one with mixed results.

The kids held baby chicks and prepared food for the pigs. Later on we got up close and personal with the most beautiful dingo, and cleaned worms from piles of earth which we fed to the platypuses – the oldest one, Charlie is 27 years old. Apparently a world record, and we were preparing his breakfast.

We watched a dwarf donkey learn to respond to commands and touched the smooth and cool skin of a carpet python. We fed kangaroos and watched a slumbering wombat snore away in his burrow. Every stop was full of stories and interesting facts about the animals and clear instructions on how we should touch or stroke them. The place was buzzing with families but we were inside way before the doors opened to the public and enjoyed this special behind the scenes, including making cardboard box intricacies for the sulphur crested cockatoos to pull apart looking for the seeds inside. The creativity was amazing and everyone had so much fun.Bravo to the organisers and to all Pyjama Foundation supporters for the work they do.

I know at least one of the teenagers who now knows this is a career path for her and that is what it is all about. Opening their eyes to the possibilities they have in life.