Florida-South recoverees lending a hand and trying to make amends

Addiction is not a death sentence nor an irredeemable crime, but recovery and sustainable improvement are valiant choices founded on responsibility.

“These guys have taken but this is their way of giving back,” said Themba na Mandla board member, Keith Chetty, as the residents of the Florida South-based addiction wellness centre are busy with garden maintenance at the Florida Lake Seventh Day Adventist Church, 19 March. Assisting the church is one of many projects adopted by the centre, which also include cooking for the less fortunate.

Positive momentum has been building throughout the year, most of which has come from a change in premises. The house on Albertina Sisulu Road has received a thorough makeover with the erection of several housing blocks, a fire pit and vegetable garden. However, as the success of the centre grows, so does the number of addicts who need assistance removing themselves from the circumstances that breed substance abuse.

“We have found ourselves in a place where the individuals seeking our assistance are drastically increasing. Not only is space becoming an arising issue, but also the need for financial stability. As the majority of current residents unfortunately cannot afford to cater for all that we need to sustain ourselves on a regular basis, we are now trying by all means to acquire double bunk beds to not only increase capacity but still allow all the dormitories to have safe moveable space,” said Aaaqeelah Chetty, co-founder and caretaker of Themba na Mandla.
In addition to extra bed space, the recovery and wellness centre could greatly benefit from non-perishable foods, toiletries, detergents, blankets and a larger form of transportation. Should anyone not be able to donate items or money, Aaaqeelah and Keith are calling on tradesmen who would be willing to offer training in welding or woodwork, or even collaborate in renovating the premises’ swimming pool during winter.

The centre will continue to empower their residents while at the same time doing what they can to improve the suburb around them, with whatever resources they may have. The outlook of upliftment is paramount, as Aaaqeelah enthused, “We pride ourselves on our selfless attitude and we aim to show the world and our surrounding community that it truly does take a whole community to defeat addiction and its behaviours”.