Tribute to Messams for sharing love

Rotorua couple Lewis and Wanda Messam have fostered more than 300 children over 36 years. Photo/Ben Fraser

Many may know Rotorua couple Lewis and Wanda Messam because of their star rugby player son, All Black Liam Messam, but many may not realise the impact they have had on the lives of hundreds of children throughout the city.

Mr Messam, 74, and his wife, who is 69, were yesterday honoured by the Rotorua branch of the Open Home Foundation for fostering more than 300 children over 36 years.

The couple, who have lived in their Rotorua home for 53 years, are moving to Hamilton to be closer to their children. They have three of their own children and five adopted children.

Mrs Messam said they started fostering children through Child Youth and Family after adopting the first of their five adopted children.

"We felt it was our calling."

They continued to foster through Open Home Foundation.

The couple have adopted children of all ages and the youngest child they fostered was just four days old, a child they had for two weeks before the child was adopted out.

On occasions they have fostered a few children at once.

In recent years they have fostered babies and while Mrs Messam admits it has been hard at times, there have been occasions they thought about how much they would like to keep them.

"Because of our age we know we can't keep them ... If I know the children are going to a good, stable home I'm happy," Mrs Messam said.

"As long it takes is how long we will have them," Mr Messam said.

Asked if they had any favourites, they spoke of a child they fostered in recent years. They fostered him when he was six days old and had him for 15 months.

"He was a charmer," Mr Messam said.

Mr Messam said he loved fostering babies.

"We love them. They have got their own characters."

Mrs Messam has got her routine all sorted and unlike most mums doesn't suffer from sleepless nights.

"I know they are fed every two hours and I have all the bottles in the fridge."

And none of the babies they have looked after have been screamers.

"I don't think I could hack that," Mrs Messam said.

Most of the children they foster go on to be adopted through the Home for Life scheme.

Some of the older children have stayed in touch and the Messams said the highlight for them was watching children "come out of their shell" and seeing the "gloom lifting".

Mr Messam urged people to think about fostering.

"Give a deep breath and give it a go. Don't be frightened. "

The couple plan to keep on fostering children when they move to Hamilton.