Narcotics Control Board
The Young Offenders at Himmafushi North Male Atoll
In my very early days in the Maldives, the word drugs was never heard. How and when it started I don't know. But my deep involvement with S.H.E (Society Health Education) I met with Lt. Col.Abdul Shakoor Abdulla who headed this Board, and he spoke in depth about this very sad drug situation that had arrived in the the Maldives. He suggested I might like to visit them.
I arrived at the small island of Himmafushi which is on the edge of north Male Atoll, not far from Resort islands which had bobbed up recently Kanifinolhu being one. The entrance to what seemed like a big prison were two enormous gates heavily locked. A very pleasing gentleman was my guide. Inside a very large spacious area. Off this a number of small rooms, where the lads were spread out. Before meeting them, i sat under a shady tree, and had a soft drink.
There was housing a little way away for 20 girls. The boys totally separate. My guide explained the procedure.
When offenders were picked up, mostly in Male, they would be brought to Himmafushi, and would stay there for whatever length of time was seemed necessary. The trouble then, was there was almost no professional counseling , training is needed for this huge problem and it was very very early days and not available in Male.
When I was there the first time, the offender would come out, and almost always sadly offend again. Back up of parents, family is very important. This was new and hard for parents to understand what had happened to their loved ones.
I visited every room, they all had small tasks to do. A table tennis table, but little to no amusements or books.
Some of them I would recognise, and they me! Hello Tornie! they would say.. I had to think fast where I had seen them usually a waiter at one of the Resorts. They just didn't want me to leave. I signed the visitors book, and left with a very sad heart. Back home I sent a large consignment of BOOKS, Jigsaw Puzzles, Monopoly, and similar games.for the girls as well.
My second and third time happier. Each room I would go into they had made a small Maldivian gift for me!
On my last visit, performed an hour long show for me. Dancing, singing, it was so wonderful and desperately moving.
Male were starting to send people for counseling, and although this dreadful problem was alas rapidly growing, there was an understanding as to counsel and deal with this situation.
I arrived at the small island of Himmafushi which is on the edge of north Male Atoll, not far from Resort islands which had bobbed up recently Kanifinolhu being one. The entrance to what seemed like a big prison were two enormous gates heavily locked. A very pleasing gentleman was my guide. Inside a very large spacious area. Off this a number of small rooms, where the lads were spread out. Before meeting them, i sat under a shady tree, and had a soft drink.
There was housing a little way away for 20 girls. The boys totally separate. My guide explained the procedure.
When offenders were picked up, mostly in Male, they would be brought to Himmafushi, and would stay there for whatever length of time was seemed necessary. The trouble then, was there was almost no professional counseling , training is needed for this huge problem and it was very very early days and not available in Male.
When I was there the first time, the offender would come out, and almost always sadly offend again. Back up of parents, family is very important. This was new and hard for parents to understand what had happened to their loved ones.
I visited every room, they all had small tasks to do. A table tennis table, but little to no amusements or books.
Some of them I would recognise, and they me! Hello Tornie! they would say.. I had to think fast where I had seen them usually a waiter at one of the Resorts. They just didn't want me to leave. I signed the visitors book, and left with a very sad heart. Back home I sent a large consignment of BOOKS, Jigsaw Puzzles, Monopoly, and similar games.for the girls as well.
My second and third time happier. Each room I would go into they had made a small Maldivian gift for me!
On my last visit, performed an hour long show for me. Dancing, singing, it was so wonderful and desperately moving.
Male were starting to send people for counseling, and although this dreadful problem was alas rapidly growing, there was an understanding as to counsel and deal with this situation.
I will leave with you now with perhaps the most moving of all MY YOUNG OFFENDERS gifts they made and gave to me.
I will treasure this till the day I go through those Pearly Gates.
