Abstract

This action research was conducted over a three-year period with twelve boys, age 12 – 17, who live at Mission, a drop-in centre, in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. The research was based on a case study in which unstructured interviews and participant observation were used to collect data. Field work was carried out twice a week at different days and hours. Data revealed that listening is absolutely necessary in trying to understand the goals and the aspirations of these adolescents. Although it is not easy it is suggested that professionals and citizens would do well to listen and understand the lives of children in order to bring about change.