The gala is not only a fund-raiser for our organisation, it is far more than that. It is a time of celebration! Men who have broken free from the stronghold of gangs and drugs, are given a platform to celebrate their freedom with family, friends, and the community. It is an evening full of excellence: limousines or smart cars, dressed in tuxedo, a three course meal, receiving honour, and showing off talents! The gala is also an event where we honour those Change Makers who celebrate  their sobriety for more than two years, 5 years, even 10 years and more! It is a time to bring God glory and honour.

We are grateful to every supporter who makes the gala a possibility.

Bestuurslede:

“Met die bywoning van die gala, het die manne wat deur die program kom het my regtig beindruk met hul entoesiasme en meelewing met mekaar. Veral ook die erkenning wat hulle met soveel vrymoedigheid aan GOD gee. En die verwagting dat Hy hul sal lei op die pad wat hulle lewe nou geneem het.”

“The gala is to restore human dignity and self-worth, displaying the importance of the existence of a person beyond his failures which he was labelled for.”

Leadership member:

“Restoring dignity, manhood and image”

Staff:

“The gala is a sight and a glimps of the goodness that life has in store. It is a moment of good preparation to healthy and meaningful life in society.”

“Sy karakter en identiteit as manwees word weerspieël met die viering van sy soberheid in Christus.”

Men in program:

“It was an awesome experience to be able to celebrate while being sober, and not under the influence of substance”

“To be honest, it was an honour to be dressed in a suit. I never had the experience of matric farewell. It was a highlight in my life. I never knew I would experience such delight, and that without substance abuse. It was good.”

“I want to thank everyone who made the gala possible. It was something great for me. It was a second chance in life for me – I could have been dead in the way I lived, with bad things happening to me. Before I didn’t know Christ. Today I know Him and I have friends and family who was at the gala and part of the experience. I am so thankful.

“I was fortunate to have a matric ball, but that was very difference. Then I wasn’t sober. It was a privilege for me to go into such an event, being sober. I feel that this is a beginning of a new life for me, walking with Christ.”

“It was tops! Its lovely to see so many smiles, a time to forget struggles. We’re so used to people looking down upon us. But we saw people smiling at us and being happy together with us. It warms parents’ hearts to see us like this. It was good to see them happy, because in the past we put them through so much pain and hardship. It is the grace of God and I am thankful.”

“I am thank to Go to make this gala possible for all of us. I am grateful to Change Makers for accepting me. My life changed from the first moment I set my foot in this place. To see my mother and family involved in this change happening in my life, is wonderful. I am proud of myself, and all of us. It is such a powerful thing. Saturday night my parents were so proud of me.”

“Saturday night was an experience I never had in my life. It was the first time that I felt like this. I never knew I could experience something like this while being sober. I never knew a person could have fun while being sober. The gala was a WOW moment for me.”

“For the first time in probably 6 years I had a photo taken together with my sister, and my children. To see my parents, my family and my neighbours come to celebrate with me, was wonderful.”

“It was this first time for all of us to enjoy ourselves while being sober. You see something in us that we don’t see ourselves. We can achieve things in life with a sober mind. We need to hold on to God. I am aiming for an honorary jacket – that is my goal. God gives us new life, and He opens new doors for us.  We can to better than holding onto a ‘lolly’ (drugs)”

“I am so grateful to God for sending you all on my path. I am thankful to all who made the gala possible. It is something I will never forget. The staff and the level 4 men, inspire me. I want to tell you that I never want to go back to the way I was before.”

“The gala was for me a very warm night. I really enjoyed myself in a sober mind. There was one thing that stood out for me, and that was the award given to Christiaan: Change Maker of the Year. He was the most successful one. And I thought to myself ‘I want that!’ That’s the goal I am aiming for. Don’t be surprised if I receive that award next year.”