One Brick At a Time

Here a Little; There a Little

There is an old adage that says the only way to change society is to change one life at a time.  This is why the family is such a powerful socialising institution: it brings concentrated, focused help to individuals (children growing into adults) over a long period of time.  The opposite is also true.  When families are dysfunctional the bad outcomes are as devastating to society as their opposites.  A child growing up in such an environment is normally transformed into an habitually bad citizen.  

No state programme can compensate or replace the family--for good or bad.  Once a bad citizen has become an adult, it's far better to focus upon small interventions over long periods.  Here is an example:

Literacy changing lives at Tongariro Prison

A student at Tongariro Prison believes his life has changed since learning to read.  For six months the student, who is being referred to as Sam for privacy reasons, has been participating in the Howard League Literacy Programme delivered by volunteers.

About 70 per cent of prisoners have low levels of reading and writing.  Volunteer Sandra works with Sam once a week.  "Before I started learning with Sandra, I would not even attempt to try and read, I used to push books and papers away," Sam said.  "I did not enjoy learning [but] I can now read words and I have even written a letter to my mother."

Sam said having a tutor who was patient and understanding of his learning needs was making the difference.  "She knows what works and what doesn't work for me. Before, simple things such as days and months meant nothing to me. I didn't even know there were four seasons," he said.  "Just knowing I can learn and can do it is life changing.  I know I have a long way to go but I am now enjoying learning and I am no longer pushing away books and papers and I am even trying to read the sub-titles on our televisions."

Sandra decided to try tutoring at the prison after a meeting with two nuns in Rome while travelling in Europe in 2000.  "The nuns spoke effusively about the joy they gained in helping someone to read. This conversation planted the seed in my head for possible voluntary work in the future," she said.  "I have travelled the world and taught wealthy families, this is my way of giving back. Knowing that I have helped someone is rewarding, knowing that someone is enjoying learning gives me happiness, knowing that someone can now read is my everything," she said.

The Howard League is recruiting volunteers to extend its programme.  If you are interested in volunteering phone 384 7499 or email cynthia.ellis@corrections.govt.nz [Stuff]

We are sure that the major obstacle preventing many from becoming involved in such a service is that they calibrate it to be  nothing more than a "drop in the bucket".  The house is all aflame.  Why bother trying to fight the fire with a thimble full of water?  But genuine societal change can only be accomplished by thimbles, by changing one life at a time.  Patiently.  Over time.

It's the Christian way.