Staff Writer
A CHITUNGWIZA based youth-led organisation, Teen Rescue Mission (TRM) and Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) have jointly organised a vigorous anti-drug and substance abuse prayer event aimed at addressing the worrisome surge in cases of drug and substance abuse, youth crime, and teen pregnancy in the country at Seke Teachers’ College in Chitungwiza.
The event was attended by various youth organisations, women, men and religious leaders and is dubbed: “Mudzimai NeChigubhu” and held under the theme: “Lifting Up Hands in Prayer Against Drug Abuse”.
They prayed, preached and raised empty containers of drugs often abused in Zimbabwe as they speak against drug and substance abuse.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Chitungwiza Municipality, women interdenominational groups, parents, and government officials are in attendance.
Abraham Matuka the Founder and Director of Teen Rescue Mission said, drug issues are not just physical but also spiritual hence they can be fought through the power of prayer.
“In as much as we have been conducting roadshows and symposiums towards the same vision of alleviating drug and substance abuse, we should also take a spiritual approach. We cannot keep on watching as young generation continue to perish due to lack of wisdom. Drugs affects our physical and mental well-being, they destroy lives and our social esteem,” he said.
He said, their thrust is to ensure that young people become productive in life and bring economic benefits.
“Let us all join hands and lift our hands in prayer for our young people and the nation. We train young people on various skills such as building, carpentry, sewing, baking among others as a way of rescuing them from drug menace,” he said.
Pastor Johannes Nyamhandu – Harare Provincial Secretary for Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe speaks on the effects of drugs.
“Drugs have negative effects to our health and behaviour. I once attended a funeral of a certain relative who used to take drugs. We were surprised to see several women who removed their undergarments and waved them. Only to realise that they were doing this under the influence of drugs,” he said.
Pastor Lisben Tinashe Zimbiru from Bread of Life international Ministries working as the coordinator of programs and projects and mobilisation of Teen Rescue Mission said: “In our quest to moulding our youths there is also guiding and counselling push is motivated by the growth of drug and substance abuse, childhood pregnancy and crime among others. Cases of domestic violence and theft have become a daily plight of every mother in our community hence we say no to drugs,” he said.
There was a hive of activities here which including sharing of the Word of God by young people and faith leaders, prayer sessions, praise and worship, as well as educational sessions from experts on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
Chaplin Mercy Mabika from the ZRP Makoni warned people who are using skin lightening creams and injectables saying they are part of drugs that are being abused in Zimbabwe and they have negative effects to their health and lives.
“We have reports of some people who lost their lives due to drug abuse. Skin lightening creams, tablets and injections are the most drugs that people are abusing in Zimbabwe and they pose life threatening risk because it will be very difficult for doctors to conduct operations on you because your skin will be peeling off and cannot be sown,” she said.
A young girl, Chipo Mudiwa, also applauded the initiative by Teen Rescue Mission.
“I am a girl of 19-years, and every day when we read the news, we see cases of abuse of the girl child through rape and even murder. It is frightening to grow up in such an environment.
“When you hear these cases, you often find that the perpetrator was under the influence of drugs.
Tapiwa Chandavengerwa of Harare, shared his five year journey of using drugs and how he was rescued and married his beautiful wife.
“I was a drug addict for five years during my stay in South Africa. I disowned my mother to the last point and I regret my actions. I’m happy I knew God and I have reformed and happily married,”
“So, we really see that God is needed in my generation. I fully support this move by TRM, and we pray that God hears us and the voices of my generation,” she said.
Several people who used to take drugs narrated how they were rescued through the power of gospel and counselling.