April 4, 1936
THE STATE
Page Seven
The Work at Sainarcand
UNUSUALLY fine* results have been accom¬
plished at this correctional institution for
girls, located in the Sandhill section of
North Carolina.
By IDA KltlGGS IIIMM USON
DOWN cast ill the famed Sand¬
hill section where the peaches
grow to perfection, is Iocnt«*«l
tin* Stnte Home and Industrial School
for (Jirls, near Sinnarcnnd, and hear¬
ing the same name. It in a place that
in well worth anyone’s time to visit
. . . for it provides a glimpse into an
altruistic work that is on a par with
any other like rehabilitation institute
in the entire country.
The visitor to this school turns from
the highway near Sainarcand to pro¬
ceed over a sandy road which mean¬
der* twistingly between cleared field»
and scrubby oaks, to finally glimpse
x«|iin re brick pillars showing the name
of the institution: These flank the
front entrance, and through them the
roadway continues liesides fields of
truck that arc cultivated by the girl*
under the direction of capable agricul¬
turists. The workers are so absorbed
in their congenial tasks they only give
fleeting glances at passing ears. The
symmetrical rows of light loam, easily
cultivated, showed green shoots and
tender leave* which gave promise of
abundant harvest.
Plenty of Outdoor Work
This outdoor work gives occupation
to those who are not up mentally
to the other girls who are capable «if
better work: also, it builds up the
physical strength of the under-weights
who absorb sunshine with their labor.
Of course, men are hired to <lo the
plowing and the hardest labor; but the
girls like gardening and become quite
proficient in the work. More than enough
vegetables are raised for the table, and
girls put them up for winter in the
well-equipped cannery. In season the
girls go out berrying and gather enough
for canning and jelly; the abundance
of peach crops in the immediate vicin¬
ity serve to supply the girls with fruit
to can. this fruit being generously do-
nated by neighbors who grow it on
their farms.
In every way the girls are taught
self-reliance and this is quite evident
from the manner in which they carry
on the work of the institute with prac¬
ticed ease. They are taught the de¬
tails in connection with cooking, laun¬
dry work, milking, churning and the
care <»f poultry; the immaculate build¬
ings speak volumes for their skill as
housekeeper*. .Sainarcand «Iocs not
seem like an impersonal institution;
rather there is a pleasant home-like
atmosphere that permeates the entire
place.
The main administrative building,
facing the entrance gates, is quite
handsome with most attractive in¬
terior. From the wide back «loor the
drive winds between more truck fields
on by tlm school building and audi¬
torium where an euormoua room with
a tiny stage serves for all purposes of
entertainment. Here the student body
gather each morning for prayer before
the school session begins. Opening
from the main room are smaller rooms
where music lessons, sewing and other
domestic arts an* taught in connection
with regular classes. There is. also, a
reading room (not designate*! as li¬
brary) which «hows quite a nice col¬
lection of I looks, daily pa|x-r* and mag¬
azines.
Facing the auditorium across a
wooded area is the small rustic-built
hospital . . . small, but beautifully
well kept, sanitary, and in charge of
a capable nurse who is assisted by
obler girls. Physician* in nearby
towns donate their services to tbi-
eaiiHc of humanity. To the far side
of the hospital stands a little clinpel
where ministers of «lilTerent «lenouii-
nations volunteer their services each
Sunday in rotation.
Attractive Living Quarters
The dormitories arc nil named after
the one* who gave of their time and
money to help establish Sainarcand
it is difficult to tell which huihling i>
most attractive. . . . McGeachy Hull:
Bickett Hall; Ireland Ilall; Tuff.
(«nrdner, Carroll ami Page halls. Each
name stands for concentrated effort on
the part of the unselfish man for
whom it is named. The interiors are
invitingly homey . . . each building
has a comfortable living room where,
before n huge open firepln«*e, th«* girls
gather for evening entertainment. The
lied rooms are neat with livable, oozy
touches.
All occasions of
<*|ичча1
jollification,
such ns Hallowe'en. Thanksgiving.
Christmas and New Year, and the
symbolic Faster Sunday are fittingly
observed. OuNloor games and exer¬
cise* are featured, as well as setting
up exercises each morning. In «-very
way . . . spiritually, mentally, phy-
sicall.v ami morally, these girls are
trained t«» become in many, many in¬
stil nee* fine women who reHeci credit
not alone upon the institution that
traine«l them, but upon the state. <iirl«
from Samarcand out into the world
to Ixv’onie wives, mothers and home¬
makers. There are few instances
where any of these have betrayed their
trust.
Contrast this institution with the
oft-times squalid home*, and the ig¬
norant and drunken parents who are
a menace to their youth": the bad en¬
vironment and contact with vioion»
men. But for the (tod-inspired help
of this institution that extend' a help¬
ing hand to lift them out of the mire
(Continued on page IwcnJt/)
