TO BE PARENETS TO ONE, YOU MUST BE PARENTS TO ALL: MY REFLECTIONS ON CHILDREN’S DAY

My journey has reinforced my belief in collective parenting. Although it took 15 years for me to become a biological parent, I have always considered myself a parent to all children. My wife and I have made our home a haven for children, particularly those of close family members. Beyond our public advocacy, we have consistently provided support, education, and scholarships—not as a plea for divine favor, but because it is who we are. Many children who have crossed our path are now married, with their own families, and thriving professionally worldwide. We understood that to call ourselves parents of one, we first needed to be parents to many.