When Priya was in secondary school, she used to hang out at CITY’s youth hub every day after school, where she would do her homework and study. The youth hub was a safe, secure and welcoming place for her, as staff were at hand to guide her and also offer an attentive listening ear whenever she needed to talk.
When CITY staff first met Carson, he had several behavioural issues. He was rude, loud, mischievous and defiant. He also played truant, disliked doing homework, resented being told what to do, and had a habit of lying to get round instructions and rules.
Yvonne and her younger brother, Edson, missed school often as their parents struggled to take care of them. Both adults were unable to work. Their father, who was mentally unstable, was a patient at the Institute of Mental Health, while their mother was struck down with cancer.
Hong Wei, who came from a large family with seven children, had problems controlling his temper. Upset with the arrival of a new baby, he resented being asked to help care for his younger siblings and to help with household chores. He would also play truant, running away from school often. His father was released from prison three years ago.
Karen, a special needs child diagnosed with mild intellectual disability, attended a mainstream neighbourhood school. Her mother, a divorcee, could not take care of her after school as she was working. Even sending Karen to school was a challenge; the girl would scream and shout every morning and refuse to attend class, even after the school’s counsellors tried to calm her down.
Muda and his baby sister were living with his mother and her boyfriend until the two adults were imprisoned. His grandmother and uncle were also in prison, all on drug charges. His great-grandmother took over their role as caregiver, but her age prevented her from providing proper care for Muda’s sister. So the 9-year-old was often tasked to look after his baby sister after school, a responsibility that burdened and frustrated him.
When CITY staff first met Kai Song, he and his two younger siblings didn’t even know how to feed themselves properly. They were also afraid to express themselves. His parents were separated and his mother was not willing to look after them, so the three children lived with their grandparents. Their father is now in prison.
When Siew May’s parents divorced, she and her elder brother went to live with their mother. But they remained close to their father, and visited him every week. He would give them pocket money, pay their phone bills, and help them out.
