Recovering Pretoria drug addicts share their life stories with Rian
Pretoria residents Jacques Papenfus and Stefan Robertse spoke to Rian about the struggle of homelessness and drug addiction.
Jacques Papenfus battled heroin addiction and struggled with homelessness between the ages of 18 and 25.
Through determination and after building a strong support network, he was able to partner up with Solidariteit Helpende Hand to start the Moeggesukkel Rehabilitation Programme.
Moeggesukkel is a non-profit organisation aimed at equipping homeless people with the skills and resources necessary to change the direction of their lives.
As the Moeggesukkel statement says, the organisation is: "A friend in need. A provider of shelter. A support structure for individuals and organisations. To develop skills in our society for all of its citizens."
Jacques emphasises that Moeggesukkel is about giving people who have been living a hard life on the streets the chance "to reconcile with society".
Jacques works closely with Stefan Robertse, who also battled drug addiction and was living on the streets of Pretoria and Centurion for four years.
Stefan, who left school at the age of 15 and started doing odd jobs, admits that he lost his way in life. Stefan describes having to beg people for money for food and, at the time, for heroin.
Stefan, now 25 years old, described his journey to drug addiction and homelessness.