He asked to be sent to Boys’ Town.It was a wise decision, recalled Aaron Dass, 20, who lived in a home run by Catholic Gabrielite brothers for two years.Today, Aaron is receiving the SINDA Academic Excellence Award for getting distinctions in his Mechanical Servicing course in ITE.

In secondary school, he was a bad hat, playing truant to play soccer, hanging out with gang members.He finally dropped out in Secondary 2 and idled around for six months.Then, he had second thoughts three years ago.

“I saw myself going nowhere. When I looked at the older boys in the group, I got scared. They quit school, go to army. After that, when they finish their National Service, they cannot find jobs,” said Aaron who has one older brother.But home was hardly the place for him to shape up: His parents frequent quarrels were unbearable.

He knew of a cousin who had been to Boys’ Town. Said Aaron, who is waiting for his National Service call-up: “It was a good place where I could be left alone to concentrate on studying.”Still it wasn’t an easy decision.

For three nights, he thought hard about it before telling his parents.Recalled Aaron: “I kept asking myself why I wanted to go to a place where bad boys hang out?”His parents and teachers were worried and hesitant about sending him there.

Even the social workers at Boys’ Town were doubtful.Said Mr Ang Poh Hee, 40: “We were wondering why a person would want a place himself in such an environment and what he (Aaron) actually needed.”But Aaron persisted.“I told them if I stay where I am now, I will not carry on with my studies.”

Looking back, he said:“It’s really a very, very nice place where you can do your own things without anyone disturbing you.“Unlike what most people think, not all the kids in there are bad. I had the best time there.”