Duduza – Christ Ambassador Church through Inxusa Community Projects has opened its doors to support drug addicts in the area.
Pastor Andile Madiba Tila says he was heartbroken when he saw boys homeless and living on the streets.
“It resulted from their parents chasing them away for stealing their valuables and selling them to feed their addiction.
“I decided to extend the feeding scheme. We cater for the orphaned children of the addicts.”
The pastor says they give the addicts counselling after rehab care and they try to help rebuild their relationship with their families.
“Some of these children decided to take drugs because of the problems they face at home.
“Through the programme, we are able to reach out, reunite and rebuild their relationships with the society.
He continued to say they can’t give up on them and treat them like animals. “They need us to help them fight the demon.”
The pastor says they are working with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health.
“We ensure they go for medical check-ups to prepare them for rehab,” he says.
Concerned grandmother Maria Masina says she has lost all her valuables since her orphaned grandson started smoking.
“He now always demands money from me to be able to afford his addiction.
“I am now supporting him and trying to make sure that he attends the counselling and he will soon go to rehab.
“All I want from him is to clean-up his act and get his life back on track.
“It breaks my heart seeing him broken and living to score his next fix,” she says.
Father of four, Richman Motaung (42) says he is tired of taking drugs and wants to get help.
“Through the four years of taking drugs, I have lost everything to drugs. I lost my job and I am about to lose my wife and children,” he says.