KUWAIT: Kuwait’s substitute mother project is preparing to enter a new phase of expansion, following the success of the initiative in achieving its intended goals. Launched in 2011, under the Ministry of Social Affairs, the project was designed to offer children in state care a life as close as possible to a normal family environment. Substitute mothers are trained women who take on the full-time role of a mother figure within institutional care. Today, six substitute mothers care for 22 children, each is assigned to a group of children, forming what staff call a ‘family unit.’

For five days a week, they are deeply involved in every aspect of the children’s lives — from attending to personal hygiene and academic needs to offering emotional support and maintaining daily routines. “Before the project, some children would call any adult woman ‘mum.’ That’s when we realized just how they needed stability,” says Dr Saad Al-Shabbo, Director of the Family Nursery Department. “They needed someone consistent — someone to read to them, comfort them at night, and help instill values. That’s how the idea of a substitute mother was born.”

Most of the children in care come from fractured homes, incarcerated parents, or are of unknown parentage. While some may eventually reunite with their biological families once circumstances allow, until then, these children rely on the structure and warmth of substitute family life. “I need them as much as they need me”. The role is as demanding as it is transformative, for both the child and the caregiver. “I’ve been doing this job for 11 years,” says Mishael Alshammari, a 37-year-old substitute mother who is unmarried and has no children of her own. “I need them just as much as they need me. We complete each other.”

Saad Al-Shabbo

Wadhah Almutairi

Alshammari recalls how many children arrive emotionally shut down, burdened by fear, loss, or silence. But with time, she witnesses growth in their confidence, their ability to connect, their sense of self. “They call us ‘substitute mothers,’ but honestly, we do things even biological mothers might not do. Because this isn’t just motherhood, it’s a mission,” she says. “When the kids are sick, I’m the one holding their hand. When they’re sad, I’m the one listening. When a new child arrives scared or angry, I’m the one who comforts them.”

Substitute mothers’ role even extends beyond home, as they send their children to school, attend parents’ meetings, and stand up for them when needed. “We work on building them up in front of society,” she adds. According to Al-Shabbo, one of the clearest signs of the program’s success is the change in the children’s behavior and academic performance. “We saw immediate improvements, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually. They became more disciplined, more focused, more secure.”

Wadhah Almutairi, the Head of the children’s home, describes the vision as creating a household environment built on the concept of ‘brotherhood.’ “We work hard to instill values of equality, respect, and forgiveness,” she says. “When a child misbehaves, we encourage them to apologize to their ‘siblings,’ it reinforces that this is a family, not an institution.” To ensure the quality of care, she makes sure to invest in training. Substitute mothers are offered specialized workshops, including how to handle defiant children or those with special needs, to better prepare them for the diverse challenges of childcare.

Recognizing that teenage boys require male role models as they approach adulthood, the program expanded to include substitute fathers as well. Today, two full-time male caregivers support older boys at Kuwait’s safe house, a separate residential program for adolescents. “These young men enter their teenage years with strong emotional foundations thanks to their substitute mothers,” says Al-Shabbo. “But now they need father figures to guide them through the next stage of life, one that requires a different kind of mentorship and discipline.”

658 fostered children

Alshabbo explained that substitute parents must meet several criteria. They must be Kuwaiti, Gulf nationals, or stateless (bedoon), fluent in the local dialect and culturally aligned with Kuwaiti traditions. A high school diploma is required, along with prior experience or a deep sense of responsibility toward children. Candidates go through psychological evaluations, personal interviews, and a 90-day probation period. Once accepted, they are trained not only in childcare, but also in emotional support, discipline techniques and cultural sensitivity.

Beyond day-to-day caregiving, social workers play a crucial role in ensuring that each child’s emotional and psychological needs are identified and addressed. Every child has an individual case file, a holistic profile that documents their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. “This allows us to create tailored plans for therapy, guidance, and long-term support,” explains Shafaqa Al-Refai, a social worker at the institution.

While some children are cared for within the children’s home, others are placed with real families through the department’s fostering program, which has enabled over 658 children to be fostered so far. The program is limited to Kuwaiti nationals only. Despite its success, there remains a growing waiting list of 40 to 45 Kuwaiti families, many of whom wait up to three to four years for the chance to foster a child.