From mess to message for ex-addict
Daren's articles will be available to read on the South Coast Sun website under the Opinion/Blogs tab
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/09/e39daren_32641.jpg)
A recovering alcoholic and drug addict is using his experiences to inspire and motivate the Toti youth.
Daren Said (29) of Lovu Township suffered from depression and abused substances and alcohol but is now recovering and has been clean for a year.
“It’s been a long road but I am getting there,” said Daren. “I decided to turn the mess I made of my life into a message, as I have had a passion for writing and speaking from an early age.
However, I was just not responsible and focused enough to achieve my goals back then.
I have a passion for helping people of all ages to reach their goals and live a happy and healthy life, although my main focus is on the youth.”
This passion led to Daren founding the Bully the Bully Organisation, an NPO school programme.
“At the moment it is operating in Waterloo, near Verulam because when I started the organisation earlier this year I was living there.
We plan to take it across the region in the near future and we also want to cater for all grades, from pre-school to high school and all the way to tertiary with different curricula.
I also started DarenSaid Consultancy where we deal with coaching, facilitating and speaking.
I am working on publishing a book but I’m not in a rush to do that.”
Daren was born in KwaMashu but moved to Toti at the age of 10. He attended Warner Beach Prep and matriculated at Amanzimtoti High School.
His articles focus mainly on coaching people to better their lives, whether at home, work, business or in the community. His articles are available to read online under the Opinion/Blogs tab.
Read the first article here
“My dream is to keep everyone healthy and positive at all times and I try to achieve this through my speaking and writing.
My topics focus on personal development and motivation but I believe in coaching and dealing with the problem rather than motivating because that doesn’t help with most people. It is always good to educate some people by addressing their situation.”
Daren is looking for sponsors to help with his motivational speaking.
If you can help, call him on 071-814-7341 or 031-901-2102 or email daren.said87@gmail.com
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