NPO assists struggling nyaope addicts in Duduza
The organisation prides itself on working with nyaope addicts who would like to change their lives.
Duduza – A local non-profit organisation, Letha Ithemba Elisha, in partnership with Social Development and Correctional Services held a farewell event for moral support and empowerment for nyaope addicts who have been selected to go to various rehabilitation centres on November 22.
The organisation prides itself on working with nyaope addicts who would like to change their lives.
They have 21 registered addicts and 15 are going to the rehabilitation centres.
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“What we do is we go around the township in search of addicts, then invite them for a talk in a safe space, and we then try to find out as much as we can about them and how best we can assist them.
“Our biggest challenge is that most of them have been kicked out of home and reside on the streets or in abandoned buildings, which means they have no support structure,” explains founder and chairperson Lucky Kgomo.
He says they are working tirelessly to get parents and the community involved in trying to win the fight against nyaope addiction.
“Today, I am very happy to see all the parents and the community who are here with us to offer support to their children. I strongly believe that having them here will be a reminder to the addicts that they are still loved and cared for, which is a great motivation for them.”
The organisation works hand-in-hand with local community clinics in running wellness check-ups and assessments, and blood tests.
Charmaine Ntsibande, from Correctional Services, says the community should continue to report people who are selling drugs in the community.
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“It is important for us to work together. I know some people do not want to report because they fear for their safety because we know that there are some police officers who are corrupt, but I would like to urge the community to not give up.
“We have various police stations within Ekurhuleni; if you don’t feel safe reporting at your local station there’s nothing stopping you from reporting to another station,” says Ntsibande.
The organisation runs workshops to educate the nyaope addicts about personal hygiene and self-care and provides skill training.
On Mondays, they wash wheelie bins and do gardening to raise funds.
Nyaope addict Mpho Motaung (21) says: “I started smoking in high school, when I was in Grade 11 and because of it, I never got to finish my matric.
“Being part of this organisation, I have seen major changes in my life. My family has given me a second chance and I want to make them proud; hence, I am committed to going to rehab.”
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