In Combani, Zaïnaba Houmadi, mother of three children, opened her home and her heart to young people placed by Child Welfare. For Yasser and other teenagers welcomed into her home, this foster family is a chance to find stability and hope for the future.
In 2020, more than 200,000 children were entrusted to Child Welfare (ASE), often by court decision, when it is judged that their parents can no longer ensure their safety and education. In Mayotte, Zaïnaba Houmadi is one of the host families who, for six years, have been offering a second chance to children in difficulty.
Living with a host family: a second wind for young people
Every morning, Zaïnaba calls Yasser and Zaïd for breakfast. This mother welcomes into her home boys entrusted to the ASE, whom she treats like her own children. They are four teenagers, between 13 and 20 years old, each with a journey often marked by trials, who find a home and attention here.
For Yasser, who spent a long period hospitalized in Reunion, Zaïnaba's host family was a starting point towards reconstruction. “Thanks to her, I was able to get through it,” he says. His journey, made of resilience and family support, was recently crowned by obtaining a diploma in masonry, an achievement celebrated with pride at the Departmental Council.
Zaïnaba, aware of everyone's vulnerability and talents, is delighted to see them grow and prepare to integrate into society. For her, each success is a collective victory, a sign that the affection and stability of a home can transform lives.
