Last night I had the privilege of attending a Moon Festival dinner at The Salvation Army’s Boys Home here in Puli. The local Lion’s Club has taken an interest in the Boys for a while now, and once a year they bring their club, and lots of food, including Moon Cake, to the Basketball Court at the back of the Community Development Center is Puli.
In three locations around the town of Puli (in Taiwan 80,000 people is a small town!) 80 boys, up to the age of 18, are offered a future through the care and love of a team of generous people. These boys come to The Salvos through 14 courts around the island. Each of them have ‘problems’ that have resulted in a run in with the law – and rather than confinement, they are housed with The Salvos. (Unfortunately some, when 18, will go from here to Prison.)
But, whilst here at Puli they attend a local school, and are part of the community. 36 of the older boys have part-time jobs, and all of them find the chance of family. Some of them learn to play brass instruments and join one of three bands – another opportunity not just to learn music but to learn teamwork and reliance on others. They learn to listen to others.
One of the teachers from the local Junior High says, “Boys in The Salvation Army have the opportunity to experience family and in that environment they build [some for the first time] their self-confidence and worth”.
Here, at the Puli Centre the boys get a second chance and they experience hope!
