Blessings Chidakwa
THE courtyard of Angel of Hope Rehabilitation Centre has been busier than ever as its success stories are spreading beyond the centre’s walls, becoming a source of inspiration for families still wrestling with addiction Several parents and guardians yesterday arrived hand in hand with their children — some anxious, others quietly determined — for the oversubscribed second intake, which enrolled 200 patients The growing number of new arrivals is more than just an enrolment trend; it is a testament to the ripple effect of recovery One life rebuilt can inspire another to begin
Parents and guardians from across the country went through the vetting process, clutching their children, some of whom were brought from home in handcuffs, shouting at the top of their voices, making incoherent utterances, barely responsive, or visibly agitated owing to the effects of drug and substance abuse Most heart-breaking moments included a pregnant woman who arrived with her father and a wife who had travelled all the way from one of the neighbouring countries with her husband, who is battling drug addiction First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa took time to interact with parents and children during the vetting process, asking how the victims began using drugs, who supplied them and offering comfort to those affected In turn, victims expressed their willingness to help law enforcement by exposing drug dens
This unfolded in the presence of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire, who had been touring the facility before volunteering to accompany officers to a drug den in Waterfalls, led by one of the victims Two brothers, who have been abusing drugs and substances and have been violent to their elderly father, were brought at Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in handcuffs so as to restrain them during the enrolment for the second intake at Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare yesterday During the raid, the authorities seized bottles of BronCleer and dagga, arresting two suspects — Mallon Katiyo (27) and Simbarashe Makumbe (24) The operation targeted a fortified reed base with only a small window for transactions at the front and a swamp at the back, making access difficult A brief chase ensued as the suspects tried to flee
At the Angel of Hope Rehabilitation Centre, distraught parents could be seen sobbing during the vetting process, praying and hoping this would be the place where their children might find redemption One parent, standing in the vetting area, explained why he finally made the journey: “I used to think nothing could help my son Then I saw our neighbour’s boy who graduated at Angel of Hope Drug Rehab clean, confident, enrolling for vocational training That is when I knew we had to come here.”
The message is spreading fast
Each graduate’s progress is a living invitation to others: recovery is possible and the path forward can lead not just away from drugs, but towards a meaningful, independent life Another parent said he was deeply inspired after witnessing the transformation of the first group of children who graduated and moved on to vocational training “Seeing those reformed children gave me hope and pushed me to bring my own son here,” he said A policeman apprehends a suspect dealing in dangerous drugs at a den in Waterfalls after one of the victims volunteered information about the source of drugs they have been abusing, during enrolment for the second intake at Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre yesterday He applauded Dr Mnangagwa for the wonderful programme, emphasising how remarkable it is since it is done freely and openly for everyone in need
A grandmother who brought her grandson, whom she said had been using drugs for six years and neglecting to bath, expressed her gratitude to Dr Mnangagwa for her intervention programme “I had no peace; he was beating me If he stood at the door, I would hide in fear of being beaten,” she said A father recounted the terrifying experience of living with a son struggling with drug addiction, who once attempted to kill him after frequent beatings
“He would sometimes sleep on the roof, and I feared every day that I would find him dead,” the father said He said the son’s violent behaviour also included burning all his belongings — blankets, TV, wardrobe and more However, despite the challenges, the father remains hopeful for his son’s recovery and future independence A woman who also witnessed the first group of children being released described them as healthy and shining, which motivated her to bring her own child without hesitation
“Seeing how well they looked pushed me to act I didn’t want to be left behind,” she said Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire looks through a makeshift counter of a drugs den constructed with reeds and surrounded by a swamp in Waterfalls, where two suspects were apprehended after a trap yesterday She also commended Dr Mnangagwa for the open and free programme that is transforming lives A father who travelled from abroad to support his two sons battling drug addiction after hearing of Angel of Hope Drug Rehab Centre said their violent behaviour left him with no choice but to seek help
“I had to pay people to carry them,” he recalled Despite the hardship, he remains hopeful, saying he believes they will “change for the better and one day be able to fend for themselves” An elderly woman who brought her child for the second intake of patients expresses her gratitude to First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for establishing Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which she said had brought relief and hope to many Zimbabweans affected by drug and substance abuse Minister Machakaire praised the First Lady for the rehabilitation programme, describing it as a milestone in the nation’s collective effort to reclaim and empower young people, who are the country’s most productive age group “As the Ministry of Youth, we stand ready to work with those rehabilitated at the Angel of Hope Rehabilitation Centre
We have several vocational training centres across the country where we will enrol them in various skills programmes to ensure they do not return to drugs,” he said “We want to thank Her Excellency Dr Mnangagwa and her Angel of Hope Foundation for this initiative, which is doing great work to rehabilitate our children, whom we were in danger of losing.”
For the parents now stepping through the gates, hope is no longer a distant thought; it is a choice they are making today One of the suspects who tried to escape law-enforcement agents hides in a swampy area surrounding a drugs den constructed with reeds in Waterfalls This was during a raid after one of the drug victims revealed the drugs source during the second enrolment at Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre yesterday
– Pictures: John Manzongo Share on Facebook
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Originally published on Business Weekly
All Zim News
All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com.
Source: Businessweekly
