From drugs and jail to forming a strong bond
Frans Maponya and his son, Sammy, share their story of entrapment in the dark world of crime and drugs to the light of rehab and healing.
POLOKWANE – Not many people can say that they found each other over something negative and bad like drugs. Frans Maponya and his son, Sammy, share their story of entrapment in the dark world of crime and drugs to the light of rehab and healing.
“I was only 12 years old when my dad was arrested and jailed for five years. My mother left us when I was almost two and while my father was in jail I had to fend for myself,” says Sammy.
He adds since his father was not around, he had stress and turned to the drug, nayope, that contains among others classic psychoactive drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine or heroin.
“My friends offered me nayope. This drug is a big problem in Seshego, where I live, and if you do not use it you will get beaten up. I left school in 2014 and got arrested many times for stealing to sustain my habit. Nayope, however, did not help for my stress, it only made it worse. No one wanted to help me. My dad was released last year in August and I spoke to him about my problem. He really wanted to help me, but we had no money to help.”
Frans looks lovingly at his son and explains it was not a good time in their lives. “I was out of jail, but my son needed help. While I was in prison I worried about my child. One day, after he confessed to me about his problem, I met a woman who gave me the number of a counsellor at MetEffect. I decided to call and get directions and we walked there to ask for assistance,” Frans says.
Since 27 June, Sammy has been in treatment, a seven-week inside programme, and now outside patient programme.
“I cut off all of my friends. They said I will never make it, once you are a junkie you stay one, but I proved them wrong. MetEffect helped me. To be honest, I did not think white people will help but they did. Michele Dix-Peek and Erica Olivier really went out of their way to assist me.”
Since Sammy left school early, he needs to go back and Frans is also looking for a job. MetEffect is a non-profit organisation that has developed a programme which deals with each challenge in a life-giving solution.
MetEffect provides a three- to 12-month programme incorporating recovery, discovery and eeintegration. The programme uses the wisdom of 12-step Recovery, Recovery Coaching, Life Skills and Adventure to provide the springboard for a new life.
Any young adult with a chemical or behavioural addiction problem who is in need of a professionally managed care solution, is a candidate to join the programme.
Their caring and compassionate team of professionals will ensure a holistically guided transition into long-term recovery.
“We need the help of the community to keep going as we would like to help people who need the help but cannot afford it. Our facility is modelled after a healthy family environment allowing our participants to heal the internal damages and create a new future for their own families. The participants are expected to complete chores, thereby learning discipline and the satisfaction of work well done. Words such as respect, integrity, fellowship, honour, honesty and support are not just bandied around, these are values held dear in the MetEffect Home and become an integral part of each participant.
“Our centre is on a large plot with tranquil gardens and bird life a short distance outside the city. In working with each other and the staff, each participant learns more about themselves and their true nature and not the mask shown to the world to defend their addiction,” Michele explains.
