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SANCTIONS, TELEVISION, POCKET MONEY
Sanctions
What sanctions should be taken in cases of stealing, violent behaviour, running away or taking drugs ?
"Before being admitted to one of our homes, a child has to agree to our basic principles: not to steal, take drugs or lie about important things. Any violation of one of these principles amounts to a breah of contract, which results in a request to leave the home. Naturally, the child could return later if he/she agree to obey these rules. As far as other mistakes a child may make while living in one of our homes, for example, behaving violently or disregarding the hostel rules, the punishment is decided by the children's court, which is usually held at the beginning of every week end."
"When a youth comes to our drop-in center, we try to talk and listen. However, it isn't always easy! In cases of violence, addiction to solvents, or other serious trouble, we ask the child to stay away from the centre. We keep track of the child in the street until he wants to stop. In the family-style homes where the youths are practically all attending school, we have now decides on the following sanctions: each child receives money (very few) to go to school, and buy drinks or food. Sanctions can be reductions in these stipends or suspending the right to go out or to parties. Adding to duties isn't very effective."
"In 1876 the founder of Ashalayam, Don Bosco, labelled the pedagogy we still use today "the preventive system". Brutal punishment is out of the question and even mild ones are to be avoides if at all possible. In the homes, the director and staff live 24 hours a day with the children, share their meals, games, works and sleep in the same dormitory. It's by their constant presence that problems like violence and drugs are avoided. We can see that the majority of children, since they are living with us, stop themselves from smoking and fighting. The ones who have the toughest problems (hard drugs) can go do as they wish outside the home, but they know that at the home, there are rules to respect. Little by little, since we believe in dialogue, many youths have broken the habit. Don Bosco firmly believed that a child must know he/she is loved and accepted as is, should never be humiliated and should find a friend in the educator who is taking care of him/her. "EDUCATION" comes from the latin word "educere" meaning to exteriorize or reveal.Therefore, the point isn't to fill the child's head with knowledge or morals, but to reveal what is latent in the child. Outside the home, the child is acepted for who he/she is. We simply want to be a friend to the child, not trying to change the hild, and persuade the child to avoid drugs and violence. We can only offer an alternative model, what we believe (which is different with each educator) and an alternative to the street. But it's up to the child to decide. Our duty is to propose an alternative for the child who wants to leave the street and appropriate strategies for the child who chooses to remain there.
"For children who run away, are violent or caught stealing, we take the following action: temporary isolation, and extra duties to be done for the community. The reference points children need can without doubt be acquired by being listened to, understanding and dialogue. But a child's developpment also requires contact with an authority which may sanction the child. In our home, the sanctions are defined by a disciplinary court which includes children and youths. Every sanction is taken in acordance with our internal regulations." Television
In Mauretania, "We don't buy any for our homes. Certain educators have radios, often battery-run; in that event, the homechildren can use them, which is the case for the majority of our children.".
In the Philippines, "Every home has a radio, which in theory can only be used on week ends or school vacations. At the main centre we have a VCR, which is used for selected films, such as educational ones or cartoons. The nine channels which exist in the Philippines show very violent films.".
In India, "Every home has a television, although very often it's old and in poor condition because it's a donation, but it's a window on the world. Every evening the children watch the news (15 minutes) and then there is a discussion. They are free to watch it on Saturday afternoon and Sundays. The rest of the time it's off.". Pocket money
"In our program, at the beginning of every week end, a small amount of money is given to each child. The money is used to cover transportation costs for children who can go home to visit their family."
"A child living in our home works part of each day in one of our manual workshops (we have about 20). The profits from the child's work goes directly on the child's account with an eye to the child's future. With this money, already 33 of our youths have bought a plot of land, 23 have built an house and 10 have got married. Learning to relate to money is important for street children. It's a reference point that can't be denied. So at the end of each month, each of our youths receives the pay in his/her hands and then it's up to the youth to give it to the director to add it to the child's account. In this way, the value of the work becomes clear, as does the youth's value. Some pocket money can be deducted, but giving the youth the actual money earned or money to run an errand is showing we have confidence in them. There is an important and autonomous relationship to productivity which is involved here and sometimes the youth does not know how to save. One of the guiding principles of Ashalayam is the importance of the workshops to help the realize he or she can build a viable future and to this end, we also focuse on the positive aspects of the potential acquired while in the streets."
"Pocket money is necessary and should be given to the children in homes, but on the condition that the educators keep an eye on the spending, so that the children can learn ways to manage their money better."
 Created on 17 november, 2007 |
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