On being home

It's great to be home!  It really is.  As I was doing the traditional washing after a long trip, I couldn't fail but to remember the children at Providence Home doing their washing.  On the floor outside in buckets with water fetched from the nearby water pump.  Cold water, bars of soap and smiling all the while.  It's interesting how such a short experience in terms of time,  can have such a huge impact on one's outlook.  Your whole perspective on life changes when you see first hand what real hardship is; to not have the use of your limbs.  To be abandoned by your parents because you are disabled and it is condidered that you will bring a curse to your family.  To always have to rely on others to do even the most basic things like washing, eating, going to the toilet.  Amongs other things, it got me thinking about the riots - and young people - and how maybe we need to force some of the big issues in life - I'm thinking compulsory volunteering for youngsters 16-18 as a requirement to benefits, higher education or employment therafter - surely it would cost less than the impact of disengagement?  It's certainly something I would like us to achieve at The Academy.  I'd be interested to hear what youngsters think ?