Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
A WAVE of jubilation swept through the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare, where recovering youths were reconnected with their parents and guardians in scenes filled with emotion and gratitude.
It was a deeply emotional reunion which afforded families a chance to witness first-hand the progress of their children, who are now showing perfect signs of renewed confidence, strength and purpose.
The compound echoed with cries not of anguish, but of thanksgiving as families of the second intake welcomed back children they once feared were lost to addiction. Some quietly wept, others sobbed openly, while a few burst into spontaneous song and dance.
The reunion was characterised by sharing meals, catching up and enjoying lighter moments.
For the recovering youths, the occasion was an opportunity to demonstrate how far they had progressed, physically restored, emotionally steadier and spiritually renewed.
Others even self-confessed their past mistakes, exposing drug dens to law enforcement agents, while also pledging to help other victims find their way to recovery.
As drugs have no place in Zimbabwe since time immemorial, most drug survivors confessed to having started using them in some neighbouring countries.
Every reunion began with apologies. Survivors, deeply remorseful, sought forgiveness, kneeling before their parents and guardians for the hurt they had caused in darker days.
Indeed, drugs know no social status or class. Some of the touching moments included a third-year university dropout from a local university and pastors whose children are also battling addiction, having been admitted to the rehabilitation centre.
One was given an opportunity to share a sermon during the interaction.
Also among the moving scenes was a young recovering mother reunited with her two daughters, and two elderly brothers, aged 39 and 33, who are both admitted and were visited by their younger sister.
Amid the hugs, laughter, tears and high emotion stood Mother Zimbabwe, the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, moving from family to family, interacting, listening, consoling and embracing each testimony of pain and redemption. Mother Zimbabwe absorbed every whispered word, every trembling hug, with compassion. The First Lady offered words of encouragement to the parents, urging them to nurture their children with patience as they reintegrate into family life.
“When they return home, support them with love, even when they stumble. Please avoid reminding them of their past, but guide them gently as they walk a new path. When you left them here, your faces were heavy with sorrow, hoping for the best for them. Today, your smiles radiate pride and joy,” she said. As for the drug survivors, Mother Zimbabwe urged them to avoid returning to their old habits.
“Never, ever return to your old habits which hurt your families, parents, guardians or siblings. Some have travelled from far places, others left their busy work just to be with you, so never disappoint them again.
“The majority confessed to taking drugs in some neighbouring countries, but please start building yourselves up once again now,” she said.
Parents described the transformation as nothing short of miraculous as their children walked tall, speaking of gratitude, rediscovered purpose and dreams once abandoned.
Before the reunions, families received counselling from centre staff to help them rebuild bonds with their children.
A mother of a 25-year-old girl from Sunningdale said she witnessed the “magnificent work of God” upon seeing her daughter.
“I don’t remember the last time I had a conversation with my child. For the first time, we managed to interact well. She is glowing like never before,” she said.
“I was always between a rock and a hard place but now all is well. I thank the First Lady. People would refer me to several rehabilitation centres, but I had no money. Thanks to our First Lady, I got help free of charge.”
It was also emotional for the man of the cloth, narrating how he tried to deal with his son to no avail.
“Before coming here, I used to take my child to medical facilities to get help, also supplement with prayers, but the problem persisted. However, I am short of words for what I witnessed today.
“My son is a changed person whom I can now relate to with ease. We thank our God-sent First Lady. We should continue to pray for her so that the Almighty continues to use her,” he said.
A grandmother also wept as she narrated how she raised the child of her son, who passed on together with his wife.
“He started drugs while in Form 4, being violent, always beating me up. He would also bang doors regardless of the time, even at midnight. I nearly thought of abandoning my house.
“When I met him today, he was a reformed person. I was taken aback seeing him apologise to me, even mentioning his plans to revive his poultry project,” she said.
As for the drug survivors, it was all thanks to the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre for their remarkable transformation.
A girl who used to take crystal meth, mbanje and bronco, being a hairdresser, bared it all.
“Each cent I used to make, I would spend on drugs. I had nothing else to think of; that was all I wanted in life. When I was high, I would harass my parents. Now I am a changed person, having been taught good morals, including household chores and even how to be a responsible woman,” she said.
A 42-year-old father of three from Rusape, who was lured to the centre after being promised a job, said that while the journey was tough during his early days, it was worth it.
“In my first two weeks, I would struggle to cope. Drugs had destroyed my life. I even failed to bathe, and injuries were the new norm as I would be hurt on a daily basis when high.
“I also had no appetite, spending the whole day without eating anything, but now I have regained my appetite,” he said.
A drug victim from Old Highfields flats, a mother who used to take bronclear and mbanje, also shared her ordeal.
“I would hallucinate, beating up people, such that even my marriage collapsed. I had lost feelings for my man, even in bed. When I was enrolled, I had spent several days without bathing.
“Our First Lady embraced us like that, showing us the true love of a mother. She hugged us regardless of our status. She has been providing all our needs, including clothing, food and shelter, free of charge,” she said.
Just like fellow drug survivors, she said she had no appetite during her first days, even refusing to eat, but now she asks for more.
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