It was a Thursday, mid-afternoon; I was walking along a pedestrianised area by the river. As I approached an intersection, I heard a child crying out in distress and shouting and screaming. I stopped – numbed by what I saw – two boys aged about eleven or twelve were circulating another beating him hollow across the legs, face and head. He was trapped. Fortunately, I recognised the school uniform and the main bully’s face will be etched in my memory forever. The next morning, I was not at peace about the violence and had to risk phoning the school. I was ready for any kind of response. To my surprise, I was thanked for my concern – learned that the school had a strong anti-bullying policy, asked for details of the violence and told that the principal would be informed immediately.
Two days later, I had a call from the principal – the bullies had been identified, the victim had broken his silence about on-going mis-treatment and wept as he said he was afraid to go to school. Sadly, the second bully was only nine years of age and from a local primary school, all parents were supportive and I was at peace…
Sometimes, when we go out of our way and find the courage to take action, everyone benefits and miracles happen – it is so much easier to walk away and do nothing.
“When we are courageous, we can do the unexpected and start to mould a world around a vision bigger than the one produced by fear”
Prentis Hemphill
B. O‘S