Kabul’s Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre (JRC) is split into two; an open centre which children can leave at the end of each day and the closed – more like a prison, in which they are detained day and night. The vast majority of children held at the JRC are boys.
So far, we have been able to provide education to children in the open centre (classes in English, Dari, Maths, IT) as well as vocational training. But the children in the closed centre have been beyond our reach. They spend most of the day locked up – ten boys to a room. One hour is given to free time outside, called ‘sun time’.
We are pleased to announce that we have just secured UNICEF backing for our work, meaning that we will now be able to provide classes in the closed centre too.
Education does so much more than just break the monotony of long days in cells. It help to set boys on a path they can follow when out of detention. It builds self-esteem and show some much-needed kindness – hugely important if you, like us believe detention should focus on rehabilitation, not punishment.