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CNN World Report

Dutch Army Helps Teens Stay Out of Trouble

Aired July 08, 2001 - 14:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in the Netherlands are leading a crusade against a different social issue. They are looking for ways to get teens away from the life of crime. Up until now, the efforts to fight juvenile delinquency has not been successful, that is until the Dutch army stepped in, as we see in this report from Radio Netherlands Television.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNETTE POSTHUMUS (ph), RADIO NETHERLANDS TELEVISION CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Instead of hanging around, dropping out of school, being unemployed and facing a possible future in crime, Dutch teenagers are now given the option to make something of their life, with the help of the army. That is what the project called "The Challenge" is all about.

SUZANNE FELDERHOF, "THE CHALLENGE" (through translator): Our goal is to try and help these young people who haven't had that many chances in life. During three months, we teach them physical and social skills, but especially perseverance and a feeling of responsibility.

POSTHUMUS (ph): Research shows that serious crime is increasing in The Netherlands and that criminals are getting younger and younger. Wim Slot of the Amsterdam's Free University has done extensive research on juvenile delinquency.

WIM SLOT, FREE UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM (through translator): Figures show that juvenile delinquents are getting younger, so it is important to start prevention at an early age. A lot of Dutch projects are not integrated enough. If you want to get results, you must not only focus on the young person, but also on his family, school and friends.

POSTHUMUS (ph): The Challenge Project teaches the young men how to work in a team. They can also get some basic training and skills which they can later use to find jobs in the real world.

MAJOR HENK GERRIFSEN, DUTCH ARMY (through translator): When they find out that they can really achieve something and get a diploma, it gives themselves confidence, and the strength of this project is also that the boys have volunteered, so they are really motivated.

POSTHUMUS (ph): But it's not always easy. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Getting up at 6:00 in the morning was difficult at the beginning, but it's not anymore. I don't know how they did it, but we are a team now, and we work until 9:00 in the evening.

POSTHUMUS (ph): So far, results are encouraging. Around 70 percent of the participants now have a job, or are continuing their training.

Annette Posthumus (ph), Radio Netherlands Television, for CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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