"I will never forget the most dramatic night of my life - the night when I got into a gang fight.” When Wallace got home the next morning, he received a traumatic phone call from his mother saying that the police were searching high and low for him. It was the first time he actually got into trouble with the police. He was frightened. He had no idea what will befall him.
“Being in a gang led to many consequences for me and this was just one of my many epic life experiences as a gang member.”
My delinquent lifestyle created many troubles for my family, especially for my poor mother who was perpetually worried about me.
“I must have checked off almost every possible problem and situation that one can get into as a rebellious youth-at-risk. In school, I played truant all the time and have been through the whole process of getting suspended and being expelled. Outside of school, I was involved in fights and vices with my gang. My delinquent lifestyle created many troubles for my family, especially for my poor mother who was perpetually worried about me.”
At that time, Wallace was referred to the Streetwise Programme (SWP) with YGOS and was placed under mentoring care.
“During the programme, I proved to be difficult and had many attitude and attendance issues till I was eventually terminated from SWP. However, when I came to realise my mistakes and sought YGOS again to complete the intervention course, I was surprised that they graciously gave me a second chance and took me back in. I was very deeply moved by the patience they had with me.”
It was then when Wallace decided to take this second chance seriously and leave his gang for good. He fondly remembers the time when the YGOS staff fetched him to school. Wallace thought that he would never feel touched by anyone but the dedication he sensed from the YGOS staff proved him wrong. It was at this point that Wallace developed a growing respect and gratitude towards them.
Thankfully, Wallace continued to have great support throughout his journey - he met a gracious employer who supported him in completing Higher NITEC and diploma qualifications while holding on to a full-time job.
Wallace is very grateful for the important people in his life who have never given up on him. Empowered, he wants to touch the lives of other youths like himself, through education and mentoring as a lecturer.
“I want to encourage and let every youth know this: no matter what you have done, or whatever mess you are in, have hope because you will never know what’s ahead for you.
“I want to encourage and let every youth know this: no matter what you have done, or whatever mess you are in, have hope because you will never know what’s ahead for you. No matter how long the night, the dawn will break - this is a quote that really spoke to me. It is never going to be rainbows and sunshine every day, but at least there are still some days that are like that. So keep going!”
By: Wallace (name has been changed to protect youth's privacy)
23 years-old, Streetwise Programme (SWP)
Photo by Harli Marten on Unsplash
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