GIRLS IN THE STREETWISE PROGRAMME : A CASE STUDY APPROACH

Abstract

This study looks primarily at the rehabilitation process of five girls undergoing the Streetwise Programme (SWP). These girls were referred by the CID to the respective agencies for the programme because of their associations with gangs. Three of them were from Teen Challenge while the other two were from Bukit Ho Swee Social Service Centre. The characteristics of the girls and their families as well as their life stories prior to the start of the programme were studied. A case study approach has been adopted in studying and analysing the five cases. One of the methods of data collection used was participation observation, whereby the researcher took part in the activities of the programme in order to build rapport with the girls and to observe the changes that take place in the girls as they go through the programme. Interestingly, it was found that most of the girls went through different phases similar to those of the bereavement process. To the girls, entering the programme meant a loss of their freedom because of the curfew hours imposed upon them. The girls moved from a phase of denial at the initial stage to a phase of growth and maintenance at the end of the programme. Based on the findings, this study also suggests the implications involved as well as recommendations for the programme and further studies.