Gig truck and loud music attracts community in drug-awareness initiative
On May 20, Harvest Outreach Centre grabbed the attention of the Vischkuil community with a gig truck driving through the streets, playing loud music and talking about drug and substance abuse.
This was all part of the Ke Moja awareness programme talking to communities through bold and noticeable mediums.
“People do not want to listen when we approach them directly, so we use bold mediums like a gig truck. It attracts people with music and makes it easier for us to approach them,” Kgaukgelo Masipa, coordinator at Harvest Outreach Centre, said.
Ke Moja is a substance-awareness programme done by the Harvest Outreach Centre for all the communities around Vischkuil and Ratanda. Ke Moja coaches teach people about the consequences of using drugs and alcohol.
Ke Moja does not only focus on drug and alcohol abuse, it also has programmes for the youth in and out of school and offers guidance for parents whose children use drugs and who came out of rehabilitation centres.
“Some people use drugs to fit in the society, to make themselves feel better, to escape reality and some for the fun of it, not knowing that it is extremely easy to get addicted.
“The consequences are that some end up losing their jobs, getting involved in car accidents, losing their families and having health problems. We also have an exceedingly high number of school dropouts and divorces due to drugs and alcohol,” Masipa added.
Harvest Outreach Centre encourages all to stop the use of drugs and alcohol and further encourages those who have not started not to do so.
“Drugs are thieves of our happiness and joy. They rob us of our sisters, brothers and our lives. Harvest Outreach Centre is here to help our communities. We are transforming communities, one neighbour at a time,” Masipa said.
For more information, contact Masipa on 082 296 8348.
