Since January, we have started to work with six street teenagers, who are the most famous in our district. And just recently, their mothers came to our director, Jan Berkmans, to tell about the changes that have happened with their sons during this period of time.
“No one thought that it was possible to do what you have done,” said the mother of one of the six teenagers. “My son lives at home, attends school every day, and when he comes home after extra classes at your school, he takes cans and goes to bring some water. I have never even dared to dream about this.” Previously, the mothers of these teenagers were humiliated in the society. So now, when their children have changed, become neat, study diligently and everyone around is surprised by these changes, mothers got back the respect in the society. “We have regained our honor and we are very grateful to you and God for this,” the smiling women said.
“These teenagers have been to all the local centers for street children. The police and even the local authorities know them, and the shopkeepers know them very well, because they stole everything they could from them. At times they would even steal a pot of food right during cooking’. – says Jean Berkmans – “When I and Epa (the employee responsible for work with them) brought them to school for the first time after a long period of absence, one teacher told Epa that she would only work with them if she gets back everything that these teenagers had stolen from her… One can tell, everyone here knows these teenagers.
Now, when they are being changed, they even write songs about their lives, and are happily sharing them with me. The meaning of their songs is something like this: “We lived under bridges, and people thought that we were lost. But they did not know that the roads to salvation were being prepared for us.” They also talk and sing about how they used to beg on the streets and steal, but now they don’t need to do that anymore, because they have clothes, shoes and daily food. And yet, teenagers talk about their dreams of becoming some important people. Summarizing everything, I can say that the changes that we see are quite substantial. These teenagers really have a chance to change their lifestyles completely and become useful people for society.”
