A rehabilitation centre in Verulam for those wanting to escape a life consumed by drugs and alcohol is under threat due to a financial crisis brought about by a shortage of sponsors.
Former drug dealer, Kevin Pillay, who founded the organisation, Jump Youth Mission, in 2008, has helped many men break away from a life of drug dependence to lead more sustainable and fulfilling lives. Pillay said the mission of rebuilding the lives of addicts and their families could soon end due to depleting funds which could soon leave them unable to pay their landlords. “This is a Christian discipleship programme for people who want to leave a life of drugs, alcohol and gangsterism behind. Apart from running this rehab centre we also go out to people. Before Covid we would all meet at the Trenance Park Library for motivational talks and prayer and even go as far as trying to help those in Phoenix, Chatsworth and Tongaat.”
During its inception, Pillay said many would seek support but fall out of the programme after a few weeks. “Due to this we’ve established a strict criteria where a person would have to meet us for seven consecutive Sundays for prayer and rehabilitation. We also provide a meal for them. Once we see they are committed we bring them into our programme.” He said this was necessary to root out those who come in, steal and abandon the programme. “Our only source of income is from donations and the collecting of scrap metal and second-hand goods. We have a saying which is ‘don’t dump it, donate it’. With whatever we make we pay for electricity, food and other essentials.” He said the owners of the property are “very good and kind-hearted people” however, the settlement for the property is long overdue and the centre is desperate for funds.
Pillay said he was dealing drugs for 12 years before he realised he was living a meaningless life. A few years later his efforts have turned lives around. One of whom helped by the organisation is 53-year-old Rodney Nagoor, who is on the programme for six months. “I had multiple drug addictions. I was taking all kinds of drugs since I was 15 years old. My addiction caused a lot of harm to myself and my family. I myself say the road to recovery was not easy but I stayed committed. Jump Youth Mission helped me break away from everything pulling me down. They helped me in so many ways to the point where I feel my life has purpose again,” Nagoor said. Another former drug addict, Brian Dube, said his addiction started slowly and quickly became uncontrollable. “I used to take dagga then started with buttons and moved to wonga. Drugs destroyed my life.” The 36-year-old said he started taking drugs in 1996 and since then found himself deteriorate and becoming more distant from his family.
“From the time I was 17 I started causing trouble. I was always fighting with my family and stealing from them to feed my addiction. They began to move away from me to the point where they didn’t even want me at family gatherings.” Dube, who used to work as a carpenter said he has been at the centre for two months and it is the first time in years he’s been clean of drugs. “I’m proud of the progress I’ve made at the centre. I understand that for me to go back to my family I need to stay this way. They have given me too many second chances. When I go back I want to make sure I don’t disappoint.” Pillay said they are appealing to the community for any goodwill gesture for the centre.Those who wish to help may contact Pillay on 074-701-8324.
