Meet Zeinab, the council’s Foster Carer of the Year 2024, whose journey shows just how life-changing fostering can be — for the children, and for the carers themselves. She collected the award with her husband Mukhtar (pictured above).
As Foster Care Fortnight approaches, Ealing Council is proud to celebrate the incredible individuals who open their homes and hearts to children in care across the borough.
Zeinab’s story
Zeinab, originally from Eritrea, has lived in west London for over 26 years. Her decision to foster came from a deeply personal place.
“I lost my mum when I was very young,” she said. “It’s not easy—especially at the time when you need your mother the most.”
The youngest in her family, Zeinab was raised by her brothers, her sister and her extended family who provided her with incredible support. That experience shaped her commitment to helping children in care. “I told my husband, I really want to do this job,” she said. And she’s never looked back.
A decade of dedication
Zeinab has been fostering for more than 11 years and has cared for many children during that time.
“Some children stay just a few days, others much longer,” she shared.
In 2024, her exceptional contribution was recognised when she received the council’s Foster Carer of the Year Award. She was commended for her dedication to keeping a sibling group of 4 together for 7 years.
“They’re like my own children,” she said. “They’ve changed so much since they have been with us and are doing well at school.”
Inspiring the next generation
Zeinab is also a proud mother to 3 sons—2 university graduates and one starting his degree. Her foster children, she says, are inspired by her own children’s achievements.
“One of the girls living with me is starting university this September. She’s top of her class. Her sister is studying childcare and has so many options now.”
Zeinab has always fostered with Ealing Council and often recommends fostering through the council to her friends. “I know all the staff and really enjoy working with them. The excellent training has helped me, not just with foster children, but with my own kids and development,” she said.
Zeinab’s story is one of compassion, resilience, and connection. “The children I care for now are from Ireland. I’m from Africa. They’re Christian, I’m Muslim—but we’re a family,” she said.
She takes them to church, where she’s built a community with their godmother and local priest. “Love and care cross all boundaries. That’s what fostering is really about.”
Councillor Josh Blacker, the council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, said: “Zeinab is just one of our many outstanding foster carers who help to enrich the lives of the children we care for.
“Foster Care Fortnight celebrates the invaluable contributions that foster carers make to our community. It takes a town to raise a child and I’m immensely proud of all of the foster carers in our borough who help to nurture and protect our looked after children.”
Make a difference
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the perfect time to explore how you could change a child’s life.
For more information, visit the fostering website.
