GEM working under toughest circumstances
With a passion in his heart he continuously takes on new drug addicts
Numerous tales have been told about drug addicts turning over a new page.
Some make it and some relapse, but the latest addict that Pastor Given Mavasa took under his wing is young Kelvin Mbatha (22).
No matter the success rate, what Past Given aims to do is keep Greater Emalahleni alive and breathing.
With a passion in his heart he continuously takes on new drug addicts, working closely with SANCA to help those who want to be helped.
“I think our biggest challenge is funding. We ensure our addicts are clean with the help of SANCA but then we need to keep them busy. Matthews Chiloane became one of our ambassadors and today he still visits us. But without funding we cannot send them to the skills development program. We have had great successes as well as relapses. But we have faith that with funding this will change,” Past Given said.
Kelvin shared his story about how he ended up in the ‘drug-world’ through friends and how badly this influenced his life.
“I quit school in grade 11. I started with marijuana and I used cat, crystal meth, cocaine and ended up using heroin. I injected and smoked it, because when you inject it lasts longer. I started stealing to sustain my habit and went away from home. I couldn’t stand up for the things I did. I took stuff and sold it and I was arrested. My parents took me back every time. My mom always wanted to help me and mentioned at church that I need help. She met Maureen Scheepers and that is how I met Past Given. I am now tired and done,” Kelvin said.
He has been on the drug-roll for approximately five years and said: “People don’t want to associate with you. They don’t trust you and your own people turn their back. I could have been far, I had many jobs but I threw it away because of me smoking this stuff. I want to get over this stuff and I want to show my family I have changed.”
Going back to school is what he wants to do with all his heart.
He said that he slept on the streets so many times and that is not the life he wants to live.
Matthews Chiloane was one of the very first addicts that Past Given took in and he is still clean, helping Past Given where he can.
“I am a semi-skilled boiler maker and have so much experience but work is scarce. Past Given just kept me going through everything and I am hoping to find a job real soon to get on my feet.”
Past Given said that the problem is that they don’t have funds to send anyone for the skills development program.
They have a house to work from but barely have any furniture.
“We also hope to give them something to eat when they come here. We can’t at this stage but hoping for some help to jump on board. We want to make the successes an example to others through our campaigns and hopefully this will encourage addicts to join our program and we are hoping for financial support,” Past Given added.
Matthews added that it is hard to stay sober and to kick the habit for good.
But that when your mind is right that you can do anything and conquer every obstacle.
“This is not pap & vleis. It’s hard.”
Greater Emalahleni has been up and running for a year, and they are hoping that with the help from the community that it will only grow.
