Jahara Centre gives addicts a second chance

“Jahara Outreach projects (NPO) was started to assist in every possible area related to addiction, recovery, and community restoration. Our desire and intention are to be able to assist as many individuals as we possibly can and in so doing be able to improve many aspects of the larger society – we know every person we help out of addiction and into purpose has the potential to influence and improve their own families, communities and potentially the world.” These are the words of Mark Lewis, founder of Jahara.

He said that in order for the culture and treatment climate to remain stable within the centre the resident capacity has been capped at 40 residents. “We started Jahara Treatment Centre in 2016 and have sponsored a conservative estimate of R8.5m worth of treatment to those who would otherwise not be able to receive it. Many of these individuals have gone on to work in the industry and go through training and development. Some have even begun working in the surrounding communities as teachers, mechanics, dog handlers, couriers, and lodge managers,” Lewis told the Herald.

He said they have also been training counsellors and recently begun developing a training programme for counsellors that is fast becoming a full-time independent college. “We have been conducting intensive research into trying to identify the developmental stages of addiction in childhood – something that has never been looked at and something that has the potential to inspire an early childhood assessment tool and highly focused prevention programme.

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“A great driving force of staying in recovery is giving back and we place great emphasis on this through treatment and after treatment. We have over the years been instrumental in supporting and assisting many projects in our local communities, in doing massive outreach work and getting involved and integrated with the community wherever possible,” he said. Since 2019 Jahara has remained above 80% occupancy with an average 15% occupancy fully sponsored (including most tuck shop and medical expenses) as well as approximately 15% on drastically reduced rates for a total monthly sponsorship value of R250 000.

“We desperately want to be able to assist more people with great treatment and furthermore ongoing support into halfway house, training and employment. We are requesting that people contribute towards the sponsorship fund so that we can assist people with treatment, tuck, medical expenses, halfway house expenses, training if applicable, and even employment. Remember the people that you help go
on to help hundreds of more people. Investing into the lives of those born with purpose is investing in a life-long journey of service of passion and of purpose.

“As part of treatment, service is promoted and a lot of effort is put into giving back to the community and engaging in healthy social activities,” Lewis said. They are involved in local projects, from preparing and hosting community markets, assisting with snare searches, assisting with Rotary and their fundraising activities, and driving good support behind Halo and other community NPOs. For more information on treatment at Jahara, visit www.jahara.co.za. Visit their Facebook page for an overview of the day-to-day happenings and activities.

‘Cocaine makes you feel like you are in control’
A Jahara resident, Hailey*, told her story to the Herald. “I started working at a nightclub when I was 16. I never smoked, only used alcohol. Later on, I started to use marijuana.” She later worked for SAA, “which was a party in itself,” she said. “At the age of 21, I moved to London where I met my ex-husband. He did not drink or smoke. We got divorced 10 years later and I got involved with a South African who had also moved to London. He was dealing with cocaine.

“He kept offering it to me. One day I thought to myself that I want to try it, so I asked him to give it to me saying that it is for a friend. He gave me half a gram. At the time I was working for Emirates in the UK, I started to take it to work, it makes you feel like you are in control,” she said. “After 17 years I came back to South Africa. I met my high school friend through Facebook, she was also using so we just carried on. This went on for three years, but cocaine became expensive so I started using cat and alcohol.

I also smoked weed. My brother was a heroin addict, he introduced me to Benzos. I then moved to Meth. Her brother passed away and she used it as an excuse to carry on. “My sister-in-law is an addiction counsellor and asked me to join Heal, an online rehab group where addicts talk about their experiences. That is where I met a counsellor from Jahara and came to Hoedspruit.

“I thought that since I came voluntarily it would be simple. I just wanted a six-month break. They told me that I could leave at any time I want, but I should think of what I am going back to, so I stayed. It was tough, there were tears and fights, and I hated everyone, but I am glad I stayed. It’s been 15 months and I am currently transitioning from being a resident to being a student counsellor,” she concluded.