BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE noises from the protest were audible from inside the church, and they grew louder as the brief programme to open the home came to an end. There they were lining the streets of Cleverly Hill, Sandy Point and the messages painted across their T-shirts and placards resonated throughout the community: “We don’t want any criminals here!”
The Save Our Sons (SOS) Boys Interim, a home for troubled boys that opened in 2005, was not quite one that would bring hard-bred criminals to disturb the peace in the town. Rather, its aim was to provide a stable, positive environment to boys subjected to domestic violence, parental neglect, orphanhood and/or general family instability. Yet, the expression of disgust for the initiative from a number of community members undermined the good intentions of the visionaries to strike a change in the lives of these at-risk males.
Visionary of the project Meredith Warner-Phipps informed that the protest went on for days, as the number of malicious statements skyrocketed and the posters never seemed to end. She indicated though that she had made up her mind to help young males, the attempts to stop it would not discourage her.
“When I looked in the eyes of those young men, I decided that neither hell nor high water would have deterred me,” Warner-Phipps said. “Why would people want to put an end to someone else’s fresh start at life? The church had made its commitment to adopt the project under its outreach Ministry and opposition from people, who probably made mistakes before, was not going to close the doors on these young males,” she added.
That was the obvious intention of the protesters.
According to a community member Chris Esdaille, many of the protesters equated offering assistance to troubled youth to harbouring criminals in a peaceful community and threatening the lives of upstanding law-abiding civilians.
“I remember the event as if it were yesterday. There were about 15 of them [protesters] who had banners and placards and even had T-shirts signalling their disapproval of the project.
Many of them attempted to disturb the opening ceremony while others stood silently with loud messages ringing from their posters.”
It is ironic how so often we ask for change, particularly in this time when crime has seeped its way into our nation and wreaked havoc. Yet, whenever an individual or a small group of persons makes a move to effect change, we quickly work to discourage it. However, it is always wise to make a small move because that one small step may be all that is needed to make a big change in someone else’s life.
Warner-Phipps described the dream that led her to move to open the home. She envisioned a line of young men – sons, brothers, fathers, uncles – pacing steadily toward a steep overhang. She said she cried as she witnessed the hundreds of males marching toward the cliff and taking the blind fatal jump.
“I had this dream over and over. Then I wondered, ‘How much of a difference can I make when I’m only one person? How can I help to put an end to this genocide?’ Then, after thinking, I realised that I may not be able to do it alone, but if I make a move and encourage others to get onboard, we may be able to change the lives of these boys. Indeed, a big step is comprised of many little steps.”
With Warner-Phipps’ vision and much assistance from the Unique Touch Christian Centre, the SOS Boys Interim was officially opened on July 1, 2005. The boys’ home, as it is commonly called, opened its doors on Main Street in Cleverly Hill, Sandy Point with three boys of ages 11, 13 and 15 and was the first of its kind on the island.
The home serves to stabilise the young men by giving them a different environment and positive peer and adult influences. It offers skills training and instils in them moral values as well as an interest in formal education. Boys are kept there until the end of formal schooling and are assisted in finding a job or creating one of their own.
One of those young men is 16-year-old Peter Robero, whose early life had been tarnished by negative influences and a number of social ills. His teenage years had matured too quickly for his own comfort. Now, after spending four years at the SOS Boys’ Home, he envisages a new opportunity and a new beginning as he restarts his life.
Warner-Phipps recounted her first encounter with Robero, describing it as a touching experience “where divinity touched the heart of humanity”. From afar, she noticed a young scrawny teen sitting among individuals she presumed to be hardened criminals. It was a disheartening experience for the mother of six males. She informed that Robero sat on the wooden bench like a barefooted vagrant, yet his matted hair and ragged clothing were not enough to take her attention from the handcuffs that robbed him of his freedom – the handcuffs she thought may have been the only glistening thing in his life.
“Strangely, the first word that came to me was not justice, neither was it delinquency, but it was compassion,” Warner-Phipps said. “He was so small with a possibly bright future before him and here he is on the bench in police custody at 11 years. The crippling thought was that this was not his first, but I was certain if I made this simple move it might possibly be his last,” she added.
Robero was given a fresh start; an opportunity to develop a positive attitude now being in a supportive atmosphere. He admits that it has not been a smooth transition but noted that a new environment certainly allows a chance to change the things that once kept him back.
“You know, I am not a bad person,” said Robero. “I just never had it. A lot of times I was forced to steal with my cousins so that I could get something to eat. I hadn’t seen my mother in over seven years and I don’t know who my father is. I was living with my grandmother all my life. She never worked; she used to depend on her son’s money. When I stole that time [which led to his arrest], I had no idea that I would get caught. But I woke up on the bench. I was so frightened, but it was not the first time for me.”
He continued, “I usually see a lot of people walk in and out of prison, but I never expected anybody to just ask me if I want to come with them. When Ms. Phipps approached, I quickly accepted her offer despite the fact that I had no clue who she was. ‘Maybe it would mean a different experience for me. Who knows? I might probably get the chance to start afresh,’ I thought, and that’s exactly what happened.”
Robero informed that in retrospect, his life is much better. He now has full meals as well as peers with whom he can relate and get assistance from for school assignments. He said that he would be forever grateful to God and to the home for taking that step to save his life. He continues to imagine his life without the intervention of the SOS Home and could only think of depressing options, including prison or death.
He noted that sometimes boys like him just want someone to talk to; someone to understand what he has been through in life.
“I thank God and I thank Ms. Warner and Pastor Saunders for their help and intervention,” Robero said, adding that, “I am sure that all the other boys are happy; we don’t have a big fancy life but we have a second chance, which is more important to us.”
Pastor of the Unique Touch Christian Centre and Director of the Boys Interim, Clive Saunders informed that seeking to bring about change in the young men was more onerous than opening the facility, as one would expect. He said the early days were rocky and that he had his share of disappointments, but he maintained that over the years he has seen remarkable change in the lives of the boys – the element that motivates him to continue.
“Initially, we experienced challenges, such as overcoming bad habits, untamed temperaments and generally anti-social behaviours,” Saunders said, adding “That was expected. “But, the aim was not to have an instant change; it was to bring change over time.
“Now, after almost four years, the boys respond to authority better and understand that discipline is a form of love and, whether harsh or moderate, it is for their good. In fact, stealing, fighting, name-calling and cussing are no longer such great threats as they were four years ago.
“The boys do their own washing. Some have learnt how to cook while others show more interest in gardening and other vocational activities. What is quite noteworthy though is that many of the boys have advanced in their classes as a result of the improvement in their work. We have seen a drastic turn around in their social interaction, academics, attire, personal hygiene and their interest in God. Although we still have much more to go, it is amazing how much a change in environment can encourage a change in behaviour and life at large.”
To date, the facility has homed about 17 young men: nine are in school; three have earned stable, legitimate jobs; three have returned to their homes, and the remaining two have been apprehended by police. Pastor Saunders asserted that it is unfortunate that the two young men had to return to their original positions, but noted that it was not in vain as the home is still able to help troubled young boys.
He also informed SKNVibes that the home is currently in need of food supplies.
Members of the public are invited to donate, with the aim to strengthen the initiative that may be able to save the current and coming generations of young men.
With the increase in crime witnessed in St. Kitts-Nevis, many persons have refused to act simply because they do not think that it may strike a great difference. However, taking the SOS as a perfect example, one small step may be all it takes to make one big change in someone’s life. Indeed, every big step is comprised of many small steps. So let us act in our own little way and stop turning a blind eye to this thick smoke signal.
Today, Robero is preparing to enter Fifth Form and register to write CXC. He indicated that being at the Home has opened his eyes to new opportunities for his personal advancement. He participates in a number of extracurricular activities. Robero, an aspiring professional footballer, has also starred at the community level in his favourite sport.
Now, he wakes at six sharp for prayer meeting, something he has gotten use to doing. Within an hour, he sits at the table surrounded by his new family and has a full breakfast. After a full bath and a quick dress, he stands on the veranda of his new home and gathers the strength to achieve what once seemed far-fetched.
EDITOR'S NOTE: In an effort to protect the identity of the juvenile, his name was changed to Peter Robero.
