The story is an all too familiar one in many parts of Hong Kong. It starts in one of many dreary housing estates. A disaffected boy with low self-esteem, a dysfunctional family, poor role models and, he feels, no hope and no future. He easily comes under the influence of triads.

Outward Bounders take a break in the shade

But sometimes this has no effect and he will go on to commit more serious offences and probably go through the whole gamut of detention and training centres before finally ending up in prison. A wasted life!

But it doesn't have to be that way. If he is lucky enough he will be invited to take part in the New Territories North (NTN) Region's 'Breakthrough' scheme. Breakthrough started in Tuen Mun District (TMDIST) some six years ago and is aimed at taking 'youths at risk' off the streets and giving them something in which to believe and to work for. It helped to bring down the youth crime rate in Tuen Mun noticeably and so was extended throughout the Region. Breakthrough members are now drawn from across the region.

A large part of the project is the enrolment of offenders in the Breakthrough Boxing Club. This is run by volunteer police officers and meets twice a week at NTN Headquarters in Tai Po. It is designed to offer both a challenge and a supportive environment that replaces the triad society. It seems to work as the boys in the club have had an extremely low recidivism rate.

Pilot Scheme

The physically and mentally challenging annual 'Operation Breakthrough' was previously run by volunteer officers over a weekend and in the officers' own time. However, this was proving difficult to sustain due to the work commitments of the volunteers. That was when Police Tactical Unit H Company Commander, Superintendent Mr Barry 'BJ' Smith, and Yuen Long Divisional Commander, Superintendent Mr Daniel 'Danny' Lawley, explored the idea of harnessing the expertise of the civilian Outward Bound Scheme. Finance was the usual 'insurmountable' problem until the Hong Kong Jockey Club and businessman Mr Roger Perrin generously provided funding for at least two new-style, extended, and more demanding operations.

In a pilot scheme, 10 young offenders, all currently residing in a place of detention, were chosen to participate in a specifically designed eight-day Outward Bound 'Operation Breakthrough' course. The course was designed to take the boys into what was, for them, an unfamiliar 'hostile' environment - the countryside. With close support from both Outward Bound staff and Police mentors, the boys would learn how to deal with challenges by themselves or with the support of others and how to work as a team.

Mr Smith said: "The objectives remain the same - to build a mentor relationship between the boys and the Police so as to give them a better understanding of their inner strengths - but to reduce the Force human resources employed in the process.

"The boys continue to learn that non-physical support from others can assist an individual overcome physical challenges and physical support will assist in overcoming both mental and emotional challenges," he said.

The boys certainly learned all about physical challenges. "After a morning session with Police monitors at the Boxing Club, we dropped them off at Wu Kau Tang from where they had to make their way over the hills to the coast, carrying all their kit and supplies with them," explained Outward Bound's Mr Ken Chan Chi-kin. "During the first night, which they spent camping out in a remote area, they had to endure an unplanned Red Rainstorm warning. That was certainly an added hardship!"

Having reached the coast, they then had to swim across a channel to Wong Wan Chau, near Double Haven. Some of the boys could not swim - but they all made it to the island! "By constantly challenging them, we extended their 'comfort zone' and they would come to realise that they could overcome difficulties. It was the beginning of giving them a sense of accomplishment," said Mr Chan.

Over the next few days their comfort zone expanded greatly. They participated in rock climbing, hiking and were even introduced to kayaking. On the sixth day they were sat in the kayaks and told that they had to paddle their way to Tung Ping Chau on the far side of Mirs Bay. "It was a journey of about 16 km," explained Mr Chan, "and they did well - it only took them about five hours."

On Tung Ping Chau, they were met by Mr Smith and TMDIST Police Community Relations Office Secondary Schools Liaison Officer, Sergeant Mr James Fung Chi-fai. Whilst resting on the beach, they had a 'mentoring' session designed to strengthen the relationship between participants and the Police, as well as a talk from one of the members of the Breakthrough Boxing Club. He was a reformed triad member and he gave them advice and encouragement based on his own experiences.

"It is a very powerful message, coming from someone to whom they can relate," said Mr Lawley, one of the boxing coaches and joint founder of Breakthrough. "I am extremely impressed with these boys. From my experience, I can honestly say that there are many Police officers that would never have made it through this course," he added.

A Penultimate Challenge

On the way back across Mirs Bay the boys were able to rest a little as a Police launch took them to their next challenge - a sailing boat lying off Wong Wan Chau! First, they had to get to the boat. They all stepped off the side of the launch into the sea to swim the 50 metres to the sailing boat and then had to climb onto the boat from the sea. "They were nearing the limit of their physical endurance but they had learned to help each other," said Outward Bound Instructor Mr Maurice Cheung Leung-tak just before he jumped into the sea to join them.

They spent that night on the boat literally learning the ropes. "They have learned that physical strength does not always help to solve the problems they have to face. They come to understand that mental and emotional strength may help them as individuals, but compassion and understanding is needed if they are to help team members.

"This challenge gives them ownership of what they have learned during these eight days, and a tremendous sense of achievement," Mr Cheung said.

On the final day, they rose at six in the morning for a short 12 kilometre run in Sai Kung and further mentoring sessions with Mr Fung. This was followed by a graduation ceremony to which their parents and all those involved with Breakthrough were invited. The whole course concluded with a barbeque party that gave the boys a chance to relax - and had a square meal again!

After giving out certificates to the participants, Kowloon West Regional Commander Mr Mike Dowie said: "This is a very worthwhile venture that the Force has supported for several years. So far, it has relied solely on the dedication of a small number of Police officers that give up their time to help boys like these. The Force can now work with Outward Bound, increase the scope of the Operation, reduce the resources committed by the Force but, most importantly, bring the whole concept of Breakthrough to a higher plane. Involvement of Outward Bound, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and other patrons will give it a more formal footing and the ability to help more youths at risk."