BRIAN Louw is a 27-year-old recovering drug and alcohol addict who is now using his newly-found lease on life to prevent youngsters and children in Bellavista from falling prey to addiction.
Brian was a patient at the REC Wellness Centre in Robertsham (Recovery Life Institute) and has recently launched a community-based development soccer team for kids between the ages of nine and 13 years.
Trapped in addiction
Born and raised in Eldorado Park, Brian moved to Bellavista about five years ago. His addiction to weed, sniffing drugs and alcohol started out as things he would do just for fun.
“At first I didn’t realise I was trapped in this addiction because in my head I was just having fun. I started doing it alone and it started to consume every part of my life. It became a habit. Two years into my addictions I started to lose myself and became very aggressive with everyone around me,” explained Brian.
Hitting rock bottom
He spoke of how he always knew that the REC Wellness Centre was around – it was only when he hit rock bottom in March 2016 that he decided it was time to get help. Brian spent nine months at the centre.
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“I didn’t finish school and was in and out of work. Until I found the REC Wellness Centre. I was just at home doing drugs, smoking, sniffing and drinking.
“Two weeks into the programme, I found the programme to be simply awesome! If any addict walks through these doors and accepts the programme in its entirety, then it will work. I found myself again and above all, I found my spirituality. It is only through God that I am here,” said Brian.
A fresh start
Brian decided to begin afresh and started a soccer team called AB United Football Club. This is a community-based development soccer team for children stricken by poverty in the Bellavista area. Working hand in hand with the REC Wellness Centre, the aim of this initiative is to focus on the younger generation in Bellavista and prevent addiction rather than cure it in the future.
Brian spearheads this project and uses soccer and sport as a platform to share and teach the children life skills and what he has learnt at the REC Wellness Centre. There is both a boys’ and girls’ u-10 and u-13 team, but Brian advises that they are looking for more girls to join the programme. “There are about 50 kids in our team and we see how this gives them hope,” he said.
AB United Football Club holds training from Mondays to Thursdays from 4pm to 5.30pm or 6pm and Brian is currently looking for sponsors. The teams are in need of a soccer kit, balls and equipment etc. The team is one of 20 registered teams and plays in the JSS (Johannesburg South Soccer) league.
Prevention is better than cure
Ishaam Khan (Shama) from the REC Wellness Centre added that together they are trying to prevent the youth in Bellavista from falling into addiction.
“Drugs not only ruin a person but tear families apart. We are custodians and we aim to help as many people as we can reach. People shouldn’t see recovery as a pit or a last resort but as a ladder. The team at REC Wellness Centre is living proof that people can recover from addiction,” said chairman of the REC Wellness Centre, Deon Kok.
“To all addicts, all I can say is that the centre is here to help you but you need to help yourself,” concluded Brian.
To help sponsor anything for the team, contact Brian on 072 128 9514 or Ishaam on 061 201 1207 or email the REC Wellness Centre on recoverylifeinstitute@gmail.com
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