MY EARLY YEARS

I was young and I was innocent. My early schooling years were good, and I was well cared for, although I had only a mother and not a father (he was not part of my life.) My mother looked after me very well. But it all started spiralling down when I went to High School in the year 2000. Peer pressure was a great part of it. I wanted to fit in.

THE BEGINNING YEARS OF TIK (CRYSTAL METH)

That was the year when Tik came into the Cape Flats. It was a new thing and on the market of every dealer. Nobody knew what it was. Nobody knew the effect. I took a try. I was only 13 years old. I was hooked to Tik on the first go of it. I later used it together with mandrax. Since then my life and everything just deteriorated. I did not look like a normal young boy in his prime. I looked like someone that woke up from the grave.

For years it was going on like that, using drugs. Until, you know, this drug Tik became popular. Everyone knew about it. My mother started finding out about this (obviously because she knows me the best.) Also the cops knew about it now. The community, the city, all of society knew about this drug. Things were going haywire.

THE EFFECT TIK HAD ON ME

I was doing things no normal person would do. I was up late at night. I was walking the streets late at night looking for bad. I was running around with gangs. I was into all sorts of mischief. I used drugs to the extent where I had no vision for myself. I just thought as long as I get my next fix I am good to go.

I used drugs right through my teen years up to mid adulthood, for about 18 years. My life was hectic. My mother could no longer deal with the effect that drugs had on me and what I had become. She asked me to leave the house. I packed my bags and realised I had family in Worcester.

COMING TO WORCESTER

I moved here. I sort of had a goal for my life. I was going to go back to night school to get some education. It was all in my mind. But how ironic it was when I came here, I fell back into the same trap. And everything was the same again. I stayed in Riverview for four years. And everything was the same. I had an aunt staying there looking after us. I had no job. It was as if my aunt became my mother: the same scolding, telling me to stop drugs, same problems. I had the same rage and aggression… I would have loved my aunt and her brother, who was actually my estranged father, to see how things eventually turned out. But they have both passed away.

They were the ones to always urge me to go to Change Makers. When we drove past Moria House she would say “this is the spot you must pop in for your addiction.” But I was still in denial. She never gave up. I’m so sad she did not live the day to see how the Lord changed my life. My aunt passed away in 2019. Eventually I allowed my father (who has also since passed away) to take me to Moriah House.

PARADOX: BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE

It turned out that 2020 was the best year of my life. But everyone else in the world was living with anxiety and depression because of Covid. People were dying. Yet I was in a wonderful place. I ended up in Change Makers and I had the most amazing year of my life. It was the year I was recovered, redeemed and saved from this hell hole that I was in. I could talk to the Lord about all my worries, my sorrow and my pain. He really is our Father. He listens and He sticks to His promises.

FROM THE CHANGE MAKERS

While in the program in 2020, it was clear that Brandon had a dream to study to become a Social Worker. He had a desire to help others. He overcame many battles: he didn’t have matric, so had to study Social Auxiliary Work. And he had to pass with at least 75% for it to be equivalent to matric. Needless to say he made it, and in 2023 he passed his first year Bachelors Degree with 3 distinctions. We are so proud of Brandon and see a great future for him at Change Makers.

During his study breaks (he is a student at Hugenote College in Wellington) Brandon serves us in so many ways. He helps with intakes, interviews, reports, group work, serving the community, and he helps with classes. He is a blessing and a delight to have in our camp.

Brandon, may God grant you all you need to walk worthily in His Kingdom plan for your life! It is such a joy to see how God brought reconciliation to so many broken relationships in your life. It was also a privilege to witness your marriage in 2022.