One night of storytelling at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) 25 years ago had an amazing effect on the young men confined to the correctional facility, to such an extent that boys who had never read a book were looking for shade under a tree to sit and read finding hope and solace in the stories.

Many had never had anyone read them a story; books were scarce in their homes and their own stories were of neglect and abuse while growing up. Many learnt how to fend for themselves from an early age and being raised in single-parent homes a father figure was absent in their lives……