Addicts can start new lives at Ground Zero in Delmas
“At Ground Zero, we stand together as a family and support each other on the road to recovery and victory.”
Ground Zero in Delmas was established as a shelter which helps people recovering or those wishing to recover from drug addiction to re-enter society.
According to Samantha Gauche, a volunteer at the shelter, the Eldamah Ministries were approached last February to take over the shelter.
“We started in April 2024 with seven members but nothing to work with. We did not even have a plan for daily food. The previous person who handed the shelter to us took all the beds, leaving the residents with nothing to sleep on,” Gauche said.
“However, within a week, the community stood together, and the shelter received blankets, mattresses, pillows and food. Feeding our residents daily is a challenge, but we do get regular donations from the community.
“Our residents help with community projects and do small tasks for the community for which they receive payment, which goes towards buying food and personal items for themselves, such as toiletries.
“Ground Zero has a primary structure according to which we work. Once an individual enters the shelter, we have a discussion to determine their needs and desires.”
The Ground Zero shelter has a basic contract with rules which must be adhered to for the safety of the residents.
“A standard drug test is done on the new intake to know how to help them. We give a grace period of 28 days for the first positive drug test, and within that time, we give the person all the available resources to get sober.
“After the 28 days, we will test again. Should the person again be positive, we give a further 14 days grace. Thereafter, should they test positive again, they unfortunately must leave the premises because we have determined that they are not serious about change,” she said.
According to Gauche, support is still offered, but more consideration goes to those serious about changing.
“We cannot allow a person who is not serious about recovery to jeopardise others’ recovery process.”
The shelter has a close relationship with the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) in Delmas and their social workers. Every Wednesday, Sanca is available to help the residents overcome their addictions.
“Should a resident require more assistance with their addiction, we have a relationship with a rehabilitation centre in Heidelberg, which helps people serious about recovering.”
Gauche emphasised that Ground Zero is not a rehabilitation centre. It does, however, help people who reach out in whatever way they can.
Ground Zero’s mission and vision are mainly to assist residents with personal and spiritual growth so they can enter into possible employment and sustain life and skills development to maintain a profound life in society.
“At Ground Zero, we will do whatever we can to help the person because God called us to. We have a revived group at church every Tuesday evening, which helps with hurts and habits.”
Gauche said all residents must attend the revive groups, whereby they praise and worship, pray and talk about their challenges, victories, hopes and dreams.
“Eldamaha’s pastor Kobus Oberholzer is an indispensable help with the shelter. Without his positive input into the lives of our residents, it would not have been possible.
“At Ground Zero, we stand together as a family and support each other on the road to recovery and victory. We must enable every individual who enters the shelter to grasp that they are there of their own free will.
“We encourage them to allow us to help them so they can live the life God has planned for them and that they may find their identity in Christ,” Gauche also said.
“We are proud to share that at the end of January, when we did our last drug test on the current 15 residents, all tested negative.
“Change is not easy, but it is not impossible either. Starting a few small habits can change how you see yourself today and transform you into the person you want to be tomorrow.”
ALSO READ: Cullinan Councillor’s campaign bands together community
ALSO READ: Double amputee – I thank God I am alive, even if it means having no feet
