Adam

Adam is 8. He scratches constantly.

Adam lives with his parents and older brothers in a council house on a sprawling estate. Crime is high in the area with many of the neighbours serving prison sentences for drug-dealing, weapons possession and theft. Adam's parents are young, unemployed and untrained. Adam's dad has had a few jobs, but he never manages to hold them for long.

Adam appears well dressed but up close you can smell his unclean clothes and see the head lice moving on his scalp. He scratches constantly. When he lifts his head you can see the dark circles under his eyes. He never smiles.

He complains of a pain in his tummy.

Sometimes when Adam arrives at Barnardos, he complains of a pain in his tummy, but it usually subsides after he has eaten several bowls of cereal. He curses at anyone who comes near him while he's eating and lashes out any child who steps close.

He has seen his mum cry and his dad hitting her.

Sometimes, Adam tells stories from home like when he has seen his mum cry or his dad hitting her. He tells stories about his dad's drinking and sleeping all day long. He confides, sometimes, about how scared he can be. But he always asks the adult not to tell his mum what he has said. He loves his mum and dad.

At home, his parents keep him indoors with his brothers because they have been bullied on the street. They are all pale from lack of fresh air and nutritious food. They virtually live on cereal and bread, to the point where they find it hard to digest other food, and they're often sick with vomiting and diarrhoea.

Poverty has damaged Adam’s innocence and spirit

Adam is a bright, creative, funny child whose sadness and anger overshadow his every gesture and every word. The poverty of his home has damaged his innocence and his spirit.

But at Barnardos, we are determined to turn Adam’s life around. Together we have already taken steps in the right direction.

Through our specialised programmes, Adam’s parents are learning the importance of routines, good nutrition, hygiene and how to plan financially for each week. And through our After School programme, Adam is getting the support he needs with his homework and is beginning to understand the importance of going to school.

We still have a long way to go with Adam but with your support we can make sure we are there for him for as long as he needs us.