Saturday, April 21, 2012

New Perspectives

What I have learned from our project working with the kids at Boys and Girls Town is gaining a new perspective on the wide breadth of circumstances that can lead to a troubled home. Coming from a privileged upbringing in an impoverished country, my thoughts and conclusions on the cause for a broken home would go directly towards social inequity and social classes. However, seeing kids here suffering undeservedly and horribly during the first stages of their childhood have led me to open my eyes that what I though as the 'absolute truth' of causes for suffering is merely one of many reasons that a child is not receiving at least the minimum quality upbringing that any human being deserves. We played many games and interacted in a few conversations with these kids, and though overall they acted as normal, hyperactive kids, their personal issues would surface during times where they would go too far and be called out or reprimanded. Not responding well to authority, because the authority that they have previously known has been very abusive, is a major obstacle to break in the hopes of redirecting the lives of these kids. We were as a group very happy to see them enjoy the basketball and baseball games this semester which further proves that they are as normal as the kid sitting behind us with his family, and though there are some major barriers and obstacles to overcome given their marred past, it is through the collective work of their supervisors, volunteers, and other parties that these kids have a real shot of leading a wholesome life and not repeating their past.  Pedro

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Looking Back

The thing that I think I have most come to realize through working with Boys and Girls Town is how vital and important family is. Each time you see these kids who, very often through no fault of their own, find themselves in this place where they are separated from their family. Their parents for whatever reason have put themselves in a situation where they are incapable of taking care of their child. This can create a situation where the child feels abandoned and alone because suddenly they no longer have any dependable family in their life. I cannot imagine what that feeling is like but I do know how important the workers are that give their time to these cottages. These people really do have a positive impact on the lives of these kids and help show them what it means to grow up and become a man. My time with Boys and Girls Town has been a reminder of how important the family unit is and also reminded me to always appreciate it and never take it for granted.


Jordan

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

What I've Learned

After spending the time with boys from Boys and Girls Town, I have really started to come to grips with what life is like for these young individuals.  They aren't all parent-less, unloved, troubled children that can't handle themselves in public like some people may jump to believe.  In fact, nearly all of them are quite "normal."  That is not to say that they don't have some problems that most of us are fortunate enough to avoid throughout our lives, but that is what Boys and Girls Town is for.  The people there help these underprivileged children through their more fragile years into a time in which they can begin to live independently.  Without places like Boys and Girls Town, these young men could be falling into a less honest means of making their living and developing habits from a young age that could quite literally rob the community of its economic and cultural potential, both directly and indirectly.

Ryan Coleman