When Hew Soon was only four years old..........the centre and a role model for the other youngsters there.

When Hew Soon was only four years old, his father abandoned the family. His mother worked as a seamstress and raised her only child, Hew Soon, with the help of an aunt.

Growing up without a father and being brought up by a mother who had to struggle hard for survival, Hew Soon became influenced by boys with bad habits. He failed his Form III examination because he neglected his studies and spent most of his time hanging out at shopping complexes. After failing his examinations he became worse. He started drinking and smoking.

His mother tried to correct him, but he told her he was sick of her constant nagging. Encouraged by his bad friends, he even tried to run away from home.

Desperate, his mother reported to the police and consulted a social worker for advice. Hew Soon was put in a Boys' Centre in a nearby town. He had to board there.

He was miserable during his first weeks in the Centre. He could not sleep at night, thinking of ways to escape. He thought the regulations in the Centre were too strict. The boys had to do chores and follow a strict daily schedule. Only close relatives were allowed to visit them. Hew Soon missed his friends.

One evening he ran away. He hid in the back of a delivery van. This time he stayed hidden for two weeks before he was found in one of his friends' homes.

He was brought back to the Boys' Centre. This time one of the instructors, Mr Gunathan, took Hew Soon under his wing. He managed to gain his trust and confidence and this enabled him to lead Hew Soon back on the right path. He noticed that the boy was interested in computer graphics. It is one of the subjects taught in the Centre. Mr Gunathan encouraged Hew Soon to work hard at it. He said that he had high hopes for him. However, he had to try hard to adapt to life in the Centre in order to study there and obtain a certificate in the subject he was interested in.

Gradually, Hew Soon turned over a new leaf. He was allowed home visits twice a month. He grew closer to his mother and he stopped seeing most of his old friends. He had new friends now in the Centre. He showed that he had leadership capabilities as well as a talent for computer graphics. He took part in many activities like fund-raising. He now appreciated the instructors. They encouraged him to talk to them, confide in them and even argue with them sometimes.

Hew Soon obtained a certificate in computer graphics after four years. He made his mother and aunt proud. He continues living in the Centre. But he is now one of the instructors. He is helping other boys get back on the right track. Hew Soon had been an asset to the centre and a role model for the other youngsters there.

Summary: Hew Soon was very unhappy when he first moved into the correction centre. He thought the rules were too strict and he missed his friends. One day he ran away but was found after two weeks and returned to the Centre. An understanding instructor, Mr Gunathan, became his guide and counsellor. Hew Soon was inspired to study hard at computer graphics, which he was interested in. Slowly, he became a reformed person. His relationship with his mother improved. Meantime he developed his leadership potential. Later, he qualified in his chosen subject, and now teaches at the centre.