THE new Crystal Sharing Without Shame Wellness Centre finally opened its doors and welcomed surprise guest, Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Friday, 4 March.
The Aeroton-located wellness centre is intended to help those who suffer from drug addiction and drug abuse to curb the habit. It will be sharing its many social betterment and community outreach programmes with those who seek recovery and wellness. The centre looks forward to collaborating with corporate organisations, government and individuals committed to revitalising Gauteng, in the same spirit that originally built the City of Gold.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura made a surprise appearance to endorse the centre while on his way to a march against drugs in Eldorado Park, a community that has seen many of its youth lose the best years of their lifes to the evil that is drug addiction.
Dereleen James, a resident and a mother of a 17-year-old who became addicted to tik while at school, wrote an open letter to President Jacob Zuma, addressing him as ‘Dad’. She was tired of being abused by her son, who stole household goods to feed his habit back in 2013. She was also present to share her story with the crowd.
The hangout centre is a place of wellness, a place of recovery, and a safe space where youth are respected and loved. It will be launching nine programmes and has adopted eight schools within the Eldorado Park Community.
In 2015 efforts towards a drug-free Gauteng were strengthened when Crystal Church joined forces with Sharing Without Shame.
The event was attended by the City of Joburg First Lady, Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, US Embassy General John Warwick, MMC of Health and Social Development Nonceba Molwele, MMC of Environment and Infrastructure Services Clr Matshidiso Mfikoe, Interpol, Turn Back Crime ambassador Andy Mashaile, director of Crime Stoppers International Yusuf Abramjee, former Gauteng provincial commissioner Petros Mzwandile, poet Mzwake Mbuli and other celebrities and stakeholders.
