Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
“MY son has changed, he was selling everything, what was only left for him was to sell his plate of sadza,” recalled a mother, smiling as she described the transformation she had witnessed within just two weeks at Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre.
Deep emotion and celebration filled the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare as the seventh group of participants experienced a heartfelt reunion with their families, marking a powerful milestone in their recovery journey.
What began as a quiet gathering quickly turned into a scene of overwhelming emotion. Tears flowed freely, laughter echoed through the centre, and long hugs spoke louder than words as relatives saw the transformation of their loved ones after weeks in rehabilitation.
For many parents and guardians, the change was immediately evident. Those they once brought in struggling were now standing before them composed, healthier, and visibly uplifted in spirit.
Families remarked on the newfound confidence and discipline displayed by the participants, a stark contrast to their condition at the time of admission just a few weeks earlier.
One particularly touching moment unfolded when a woman in recovery broke away from the group to hug her husband, after he openly expressed admiration for the positive change in her behaviour and outlook.
Anywhere Chinyanga embraces his wife, a drug abuse survivor, at the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare, Harare
“She had a stomach that looked like a balloon, but now she is okay. I thank my mother-in-law and my wife’s sisters for supporting me. Right now, we are talking and laughing, something we never did before.
“When she saw me, she rushed over and knelt, apologising. For those who don’t know about Angel of Hope, I am a true testimony to it through my wife.”
The spontaneous gesture drew smiles and tears from those watching, highlighting the emotional weight of reconciliation. There were also powerful moments of reflection as some of the participants, including younger attendees, expressed gratitude for the support they had received through the programme led by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Many credited the initiative with helping restore broken relationships and offering families a path toward healing.
The reunion formally opened with emotional apologies, as several participants knelt before their families to seek forgiveness for past actions. In response, parents and guardians were visibly moved, some quietly wiping away tears, others openly weeping as they hugged their children with renewed compassion and relief. Adding a sense of unity and discipline to the occasion, the participants later performed coordinated drills and delivered a musical presentation, which drew applause and admiration from the audience. The day progressed with families sharing a meal and spending time together in relaxed conversation, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth, reconnection, and cautious optimism about the future. At the heart of it all was a renewed sense of hope, families rebuilding trust, and individuals in recovery taking steady steps toward lasting change at the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare.
The First Lady, who established the facility, spent quality time with the parents, listening to their testimonies and encouraging them to continue supporting their children even after rehabilitation. She also rallied patients to remain committed to their recovery journey post-rehab. Several parents and guardians said the changes they witnessed in just two weeks were unbelievable, with some breaking down in tears after seeing their children clean, healthy, and speaking respectfully again.
One parent expressed gratitude for the rehabilitation programme, saying their child is now speaking with respect and has regained appetite.
“I want to thank you so much for the work being done at Angel of Hope. Before, when you spoke to him, you could not even understand what was coming out of his mouth,” the parent said.
“Now he is eating well, his appetite is back and he has gained weight.”
Another parent revealed that before being admitted, their child had become aggressive and destructive at home.
“There is a lot of change. He used to break windows and doors at home. But now he is asking for forgiveness and saying, ‘I won’t do it again,’” the parent said.
A father said his son had become violent and uncontrollable, demanding money for cigarettes and refusing to eat properly, but has now started behaving responsibly.
“He used to be violent and had no respect for anyone. He didn’t want to work and would wake up demanding money for cigarettes,” the father said.
“But today he ate properly and even asked me to buy him something. That is something we never used to see.”
The father added that his son had stopped bathing before admission.
“He had become dark because he refused to wash, but now he is able to talk properly and is clean,” he said.
Another parent said their child had been abusing crystal meth and the family had lost peace at home.
“He was taking crystal meth and everything would disappear at home,” the parent said.
“But in two weeks, there is a change. Even physically, he has gained weight.”
A mother said she was humbled after seeing her child transformed.
“I see a very big change. Since the day I left him, I feel humbled. He was very violent, dirty, and refused to bathe. We collected him from where he was staying in squatter areas. We never thought he would change, but today we found him clean.”
The mother said her child even thanked the family for rescuing him.
“Today he thanked us and said he is very grateful,” she said.
Another father said he could now recognise his son again.
“My child is now doing well. He is now a real child again. When we arrived, he greeted us respectfully, something he no longer used to do at home.”
He added that his child is now eating properly and has regained strength.
“He is now strong and able to finish his meals. He is also bathing and taking care of his skin,” the father said.
Other parents said the rehabilitation centre has helped restore values and discipline among the youths, with many describing the residents as smart, respectful, and well-presented.
One parent said the transformation brought joy to the whole family.
“I saw a big change and it made me happy. He hugged me and said, ‘Forgive me.’ As a family, we cried tears of joy,” the parent said.
Another parent said drugs had caused conflict and suspicion in the family, but Angel of Hope has brought healing.
“Drugs destroy families. People end up accusing each other and fighting, but I thank the First Lady for this vision. I am overwhelmed with happiness,” the parent said.
