“The boys of the Salomon”

 

Ashore the guys were hopeless cases. At sea, they learn responsibility and a new life.

 

The sailing ship Salomon is the home of ten adolescents with difficult backgrounds from Switzerland and Germany.

The guys came here because all institutions could not help them anymore.

Many would otherwise be in jail or in psychiatric units. The aim of the long journey on board is to provide the first step for the reintegration into society.

The boys must be at least forty weeks on board and each has achieve sufficient behavioral and performance score.

The new home is the lower and upper deck and the endless expand of the Atlantic. Also on board: Captain, Engineer, ship’s cook, two social workers and a teacher.

The Swiss Foundation with its concept is very successful: About 60 percent of former cabin boy now live independent life, away from paternalism and homes.

 

Text: Claudia Langenegger