After two grueling days of doing all sorts of things and thoughts and loosing my peace of mind, and sleep and even temper over the growing tendency of theft and thieving by the boys, among themselves, tonight's goodnight was the climax. Not that it is now over! It is just a beginning but a collective effort now. Not individuals working for different purposes and ends but collectively arriving at a decision to curb theft.
While I had a discussion with all the boys (all 110 of them) and most of the caretakers, I kept saying to myself that the goal is not merely to prevent theft or robbery, but to help boys stay clear from becoming robbers! As the instances of theft having been rising, I also realised that the 'new' thieves caught were once victims. They now felt forced to 'join the gangs' or wanted to take revenge! Therefore I was keen on forming character than merely preventing some random acts.
The easiest solution would be to lock it all up and intensify the scrutiny and "policing" but that's only a prevention of an act not the formation of character. My focus therefore was on appealing to the conscience while ensuring that certain procedures and policies are in place.
While I had a discussion with all the boys (all 110 of them) and most of the caretakers, I kept saying to myself that the goal is not merely to prevent theft or robbery, but to help boys stay clear from becoming robbers! As the instances of theft having been rising, I also realised that the 'new' thieves caught were once victims. They now felt forced to 'join the gangs' or wanted to take revenge! Therefore I was keen on forming character than merely preventing some random acts.
The easiest solution would be to lock it all up and intensify the scrutiny and "policing" but that's only a prevention of an act not the formation of character. My focus therefore was on appealing to the conscience while ensuring that certain procedures and policies are in place.
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