Vosloorus NPO supports recovering drug addicts
“I was smoking nyaope and dagga, I never stopped smoking since 2011 until I found this organization.”
Phaphama Mhlali NPO from 156 Barry Marais Road, Vosloorus gives hope to youth struggling with drug addiction and substance abuse.
The NPO was initiated in January 2022 by a group of concerned parents worried about many young people who give away their lives to drugs.
It is led by an executive of five people including the chairperson Nombucelo Barnabas, vice chairperson Nomsa Motha, treasurer Sphiwe Buthelezi, secretary Thando Barnabas and manager Muzi Madela.
Although the organisation is fairly new as it launched a soup kitchen project whereby they feed the young people who are battling addiction and they hope to partner with various stakeholders to bring skills transfer programs and rehab centres in Vosloorus.
According to the chairperson, Nombucelo Barnabas, the organisation is in a process of assisting two young people, one of them was taken to rehab while the other one was taken for sessions at Boksburg.
“As time goes by we hope to get a rehab here in Vosloorus where we can treat them for at least six weeks. We decided to open a soup kitchen and feed them on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1pm to 4pm.”
She said they do not have any other activities at the moment, however, they are identifying their skills and once the NPO is capacitated they will be able to guide them.
Deon da Silver (25) said she started taking drugs with nyaope in 2018 and when she wanted to quit it became difficult.
“It was not easy. A lot of people were distancing themselves, I could not get help. My boyfriend told me about Phaphama Mhlali although he never attended. I had hope that I will get help when got here a month ago because I found patient people who did not judge me,” said Da Silver.
“I feel we are going somewhere with this. We have registered for rehab, I believe that this place will change my life. When I finish here I want to go back to school and continue with my grade 11 and ultimately study to be a teacher.”
Mthokozisi Mbanjwa (33) is one of the people who wish to turn their life around. He has been taking drugs since 2011 due to peer pressure and depression after he lost his father.
“I was smoking nyaope and dagga. I never stopped smoking since 2011 until I found this organisation. I felt this is the right platform to help us to quit and go back to school. I left school in grade 11 but I want to go back, my wish to be a prison warden.”
He shared a message to young stars who might be getting badly influenced by their peers to start taking drugs.
“Do not get into drugs. Do not even think about them as the only results you will get from this thing is getting arrested or you will be killed by the community because, in the end, you will end up committing crimes.
“We recycle cans and plastic bottles to avoid crime because people are angry they lost their valuables to theft. If you make a mistake they will kill you.”
Muzi Madela, the treasurer, explained the organization does not fight drugs as their program includes fighting crime.
“We are pleading with the municipality to provide us with an office because we are renting an office with money that we do not even have. To the community, we would appreciate the support of food donations because we run the soup kitchen from our own pockets, which is the reason why we feed them three days a week.”
For more information or to support the organisation contact 011 863-1904 or via email: phaphamamhlali@gmail.com
