On August 8th, seven YES Alumni from Benue state got together to paint and provide supplies for the Gboko’s Remand Home. A remand home is a temporary location where juvenile offenders are housed while they await their sentence. The Gboko’s Remand Home currently houses 17 boys and is staffed with a woman who manages the home, 2 police officers, and a cook. The Benue State YES alumni chapter decided to volunteer at this particular home because the crimes the boys are charged with are nonviolent and were committed out of necessity.

“These are kids that were just victims of circumstances; kids who genuinely would want to leave an environment that only propels one to do evil; kids who are looking for an opportunity to be better but not seeing one,” said Iortsor Avadoo Sarah (YES 2013-2014, hosted by YFU in Lexington Park, MD). "Its rewarding to help with one thing that could have a lasting effect and make them smile and strive to be better.”

On the first day, alumni and 2 painters arrived at the remand home to fill holes in the walls and plaster the breakages in the walls. The second day was the main day for the project and once all alumni and volunteers made their way to Gboko, painting commenced. The volunteers painted the walls green and cleaned up all of the excess paint. The kids were moved to a different room while the volunteers were painting, but Engr Aende Iortsor, a teacher and speaker, led them in prayers and spoke to them regarding violence and the implications of social vices in the society.

Once the painting was completed, alumni and volunteers conversed with the kids and advised them on the best paths to take in the future. The kids willingly shared their stories and some of the plans they have for the future when they finally leave the remand home.  Some also engaged in a game of table tennis with the kids. A special meal of Jollof rice, salad, and peppered chicken was also dished and served to the alumni, volunteers, the kids, the officers and anyone who was close by.  Some of the kids rejoiced and cried saying it had been a long time since they had a decent meal.

The kids were gifted notebooks, pencils, and pens to encourage them to continue in the pursuit of education and to write in the books and not on the walls. Detergents, bathing soaps, and other toiletries were also given to each boy. Some of the boys said they wanted “garri” which is a Nigerian meal so two of the volunteers got some garri and sugar for the boys. The main purpose of this project was to better the lives of these boys.

“If I finally leave this place, I will strive to be better so I can help other people like you helped us,” said one of the boys before the volunteers left. 

Even though the project ended, Sarah says that she will go back with her mother to visit the boys and take food items to them. Sarah would also love to visit and have projects at other remand homes along with other volunteering plans.