15/10/2026
Thousands of West African children were privately fostered in the 1960's and 70's in a phenomenon informally known as farming.
This was not uncommon back then, when it was legal to leave a child in the care of others without informing the local authorities.
As part of our ongoing series, we're spotlighting Toyin Okunuga, who shared her story of growing up in the safety and care of her foster family only to be taken away from them to an abusive and traumatic environment.
Privately fostered West Africans like Toyin have been speaking out over the last few years, particularly after the release of two films on the subject, The Last Tree and Farming.
Toyinās story is a reminder of the hardships of life after care, of navigating race, culture and a sense of belonging between different families and communities. Her story shows us the importance of a standardised care process with checks and balances - and ensuring a formal safety network around vulnerable children in care.
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/Toyin-Okunuga
