Trang’s Story

When I was 11 years old, I was living with my father and step-mother and sharing a bedroom with my two sisters and grandmother. Due to repeated physical and sexual abuse, I was placed in foster care, moving from foster home to foster home, eventually becoming a ward of the state.

At the age of 15, I was introduced to an organisation called CARA who were linked with Kids Under Cover. Just before my 16th birthday, I moved into a Kids Under Cover house with two other girls who were just like me. ‘Morgan House’ was not just a house, it was a home. A place I retreated to when times were tough. A place where I knew I would hear kind words and have a safe place to sleep at night. I felt loved. Morgan House provided me with a secure and stable environment so I could continue, and go on to finish, my high school education and then enter tertiary studies. An outreach worker used to regularly come to the house, providing guidance and advice about life, preparing me to live independently when I eventually moved out.

I am now 38 years old, am the mother of a beautiful 13 year-old daughter and work as a court officer. I am currently building my first house – a home for my daughter and I which will be filled with love and laughter, the opposite of what I had when I was her age.

I hate to think what could have happened to me if Kids Under Cover hadn’t stepped in when they did. I may have left high school without the prospect of employment, become homeless, gotten involved in drugs, assaulted or worse. I am so grateful for Kids Under Cover’s support – and to all the people who support Kids Under Cover. Thank you.