Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Zimpapers Writer
AFTER struggling with a child who was abusing drugs, Ms Suku Ncube from Bulawayo decided to give back to the community by offering rehabilitation services to people battling addiction.
A nurse by profession, Ms Ncube founded the Valley of Hope Rehabilitation Centre in Bulawayo, in March last year, after receiving lifesaving assistance from the rehabilitation centre where her son had been admitted.
“What made me come up with the name Valley of Hope is that it fits the whole setting; these kids still have hope. It’s not about perfection but progress. There’s still hope for change, that’s why I named it Valley of Hope,” said Ms Ncube.
The centre’s mission, she said, is to detoxify young people from alcohol and drug addiction.
“What we do is take a child and recommend a minimum of three months. In that time, they would have detoxified. Each drug is different, for example, marijuana can be detoxed within a month, but heavy drugs like cocaine take longer. In the first month, they begin to let go of the drug. In the second and third months, we try to ensure they completely forget about it,” she explained.
“As soon as I admit a child suffering from drug addiction, I call in a doctor to run a drug test. After that, the doctor prescribes medication according to their evaluation and doctors come for reviews monthly or whenever necessary. I also work with psychiatrists and counsellors, who come in as soon as a child is admitted. Counsellors conduct sessions with both the child and their family members,” she said.
The centre also runs various programmes, including excursions, to help young people reintegrate into society without relapsing into drug use.
“If you lock them inside for a long time, they’ll come out craving drugs. So, the trips help them interact with society,” Ms Ncube said.
They are allowed to run a few errands in the city, accompanied by security and retain access to everyday needs such as the internet.
They also watch anti-drug-related programmes on television.
“The programmes and activities we offer include taking them to wildlife sanctuaries and art centres, to help them appreciate various aspects of life. I’m also planning to take them to Khami Prison to spend a day with inmates and even to mortuaries, to show them that the consequences of drug abuse can ultimately lead to death,” she said.
Since opening, the rehabilitation centre has faced several challenges.
“We deal with young people from different backgrounds and personalities, which sometimes leads to arguments and fights. However, our main focus is to detox their systems from drugs, not their differences. We’re patient and work to help them get along. Another challenge is that running a rehab centre is costly, as these youths need to be fed three times a day, and medication often increases their appetite,” she explained.
“We measure progress by comparing a child’s condition when they first arrive with their progress over time. Some come in with mental health issues or deep addiction, but we know they’re improving when they stop asking about drugs.”
The centre admits both male and female clients. Once discharged, it maintains contact with families to monitor each child’s progress.
During rehabilitation, efforts are made to identify each child’s talents and nurture them further. Projects such as gardening and chicken farming are also run at the centre.
Mr Prince Zvobhohwa, one of the programme’s beneficiaries, testified that the centre helped him manage anger issues worsened by the use of crystal meth.
“When I came here, I weighed 55kg, but now I weigh 73kg. I’ve improved and I feel healthy. Crystal meth kills your appetite. People should stop taking drugs, they make you lose focus on life. I managed to get a driver’s licence while here and I’m hoping to get a job as a driver when I complete rehab,” said Prince.
Ms Ncube said the three-month rehabilitation programme is the minimum period for admission, but parents may opt to keep their children for longer if necessary.
derick.khumalo