Two Generations of Youth Guidance Officers and my great plans!

"He may not live in the same house now as his parents, but they work in the same type of homes - juvenile homes, that is." This title really spurred me on to read about the article of two generations of the How family working as youth guidance officers.

Are we really doing enough to care about youth-at-risk in Singapore today? We hear of many inspirational stories of juvenile/troubled young men and women turning over a new leaf and making it big, daily. But are we aware of how many of these troubled kids do not go down the same path? And instead tread down the path of criminal records, drink driving, unemployment, underage smoking and more? I don't think so. 

Reading of the Hows passion to make these troubled/juvenile delinquent males and females become better individuals, stirs a very strong sense of pride in me as well as shame. Sense of pride because someone has made it their job to care for these youth like me who although have done wrong, are still vulnerable and need all the support and guidance they can get from the people around them before society forces them back into a social stigma they cannot escape from. and shamed because i have never realized how fortunate i am that my parents do not neglect or abuse. For if i had been put under the Beyond Parental Control Order or the Care and Protection Order, i would sure be too devastated and depressed to try to become a better person. 

In the article Mr Ken How- "We are firm, but we are showing concern in a firm way," he said.

"The army teaches you to be firm and fair, so that's also helped me in my work."

This statement tells me that people no matter from what line of work have it in them to care and give back to the community whether in big or small ways. Which was something i also learned from a talk by BZSE seniors. As graduates and current students of the BZSE Diploma, we shouldn't be reined in by the thought that with this diploma we can only start up a Social Enterprise (SE) or be involved in social work. There are so many more greater ways to make use of the knowledge we have learnt or will learn that we can apply for any job. If we wanted to, we can even start up a social enterprise that specifically hires NS-men and give army officers/ civil servants special privileges.

This is how much one little change in society can create bigger and better changes in our society. As BZSE students, what can we do?

From now on, i will make it a point to at least donate $10 each month to needy people selling tissue paper on the streets or students asking for flag day donations.

Reference:

He's at Home with at-risk youth (2014) Retrieved May 30, 2015, from http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/hes-home-risk-youth?page=0%2C1