Tembisa Youth Day: Drug Rehab Movement educates children on substance abuse
Recovering addicts visit a Tembisa daycare to teach children about the dangers of drug abuse and promote healthy life choices.
In honour of Youth Day, the Tembisa Drug Rehabilitation Movement visited Tshepang Day Care in Vusimuzi to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse on June 16.
The organisation, committed to giving recovering addicts a second chance, actively spreads a message of hope, love and redemption across Thembisa.
This time, instead of addressing adults, the group focused on the youth, visiting a daycare centre to teach children about the harmful effects of drugs and the importance of making healthy life choices early on.
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The team of former addicts and community workers shared honest testimonies to steer the next generation away from substance abuse.
“We do our best to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse because we’ve lived through it, and it’s not a path anyone should take,” said Thato Matome, the founder of the Tembisa Drug Rehabilitation Movement.
“It’s painful to be labelled and rejected because of addiction. We want to prevent that future for these children by speaking to them early and helping them understand how drugs harm not only the body but also the mind, dreams and relationships.”
Recovering addict Sfiso Rametsi shared a powerful message with the children.
“I was once your age, full of dreams. But drugs targeted me, as they often do to those serious about their future,” he said.
“They derail your purpose. I’m grateful to stand here today to remind you that the uniform you wear represents your future. Respect it. Protect your dreams.”
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Another recovering addict, Kamogelo Pheto, shared an emotional account of how addiction strained his relationships with family and community.
“My journey with drugs led me to do things I’m not proud of. I used to steal phones just to afford my next fix,” he said.
“The hardest part was going home. My family didn’t trust me anymore; they would follow me or search me because they knew I could sell anything for drugs.
“Eventually, I realised I had to change. I chose to become the person I wanted to be because I knew that if I didn’t, I was heading down a very dark path.”
