Passionate counselor has a heart for teens
Troubled man who turned Christian lives out his dream as a counselor.
Jan Jacobs, a passionate counselor at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen (Jannas) and Hoërskool Riebeeckrand (Rierand) was a proverbial problem child who turned his life around to help teenagers and others to not go down the same path.
He used to be involved in illegal boxing and said earlier in his life he just found himself in a bad space. Jan admitted he tried to take his own life and has been dealt more blows than any person should have to endure.
He explains when he lost everything he completely turned his life around and sought after a life with God. This happened even though previously he loathed Christians and believed them to be judgmental. To this day, he said, he feels content having God in his life and is pleased God assisted him in making his passion for helping teens a reality.
Today, Jan works as a counselor at various schools in Randfontein. He is based at Jannas and his new office he moved into has yet to receive a makeover by one of his previous pupils, Veronique Rossouw.
She offered to paint his new office and provide photos for his wall of previous pupils he worked with. It goes to show, he made a difference in one life and now she has decided to give back to him in her own way.
He has been at Jannas for the past seven years and has done over 800 counselling sessions. He also gives talks at schools about drugs, hubbly smoking, and occult games like Charlie Charlie. Jan explains the most difficult cases he has are cases of child molestation. He said he can’t believe people would do anything to harm children.
While he is based at Jannas, he said will never turn away any child or person that needs counseling. He is at the school all Friday and is open to making private appointments.
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