Some of participants who are part of the Hangberg Dreams programme.
A Hangberg organisation hopes to revive the dreams of those recovering from substance abuse.
Hangberg Dreams is a registered non-profit company tackling issues relating to substance abuse, providing treatment, support and resources, improving the well-being of individuals, families, schools, workplaces and the communities through their growing programme.
Behind the dream is Zulfa October, the founder and CEO, who was the Manager of Hout Bay Cares for nine years.
“I kept my head up all the time and I wanted to deliver on the services to those who needed them the most in our community,” she said.
“I believe that human beings experience severe life stressors and therefore, it’s not uncommon for their lives to unravel.”
Hangberg Dreams was officially registered in June 2019, hosting individual, joint and group sessions at the St Simon’s Church, where they later settled in the office and boardroom of the church. In August 2019, they opened up their recovery home, for recovering addicts.
Ms October said it was challenging to help an addict recover if their home environment was unstable.
Hangberg Dreams currently has 33 people at its facility and also have a few who have been allowed to be treated from their home, as their families act as further support.
“My greatest passion is to bring healing to people who have been through a rough experience,” she said.
“Being a survivor of substance misuse has taught me empathy and that we can conquer anything.”
Ms October refuses to use the word “abuse” and prefers to refer to her clients as “misusers”.
“You abuse a child or women, but you cannot abuse drugs and alcohol. Remember, for the person addicted to this substance, they see that (drugs, alcohol etc) as their friend and it’s not something they will end up abusing, but misusing yes. I really don’t like the term ’substance abuse’,” she said
To find out more about Hangberg Dreams, visit www.hangbergdreams.org.za or email info@hangbergdreams.org.za