Adrenalise to recovery
2009-05-28
Lise Beyers
PAARL ROCK was recently alive with youngsters abseiling from this giant granite rock. But not only were these youngsters adre-naline seekers, but they are part of a group of disadvantaged youths from Cape Town participating in the Adrenalize project. This is a Heart of Healing initiative, together with Youth Junction Concepts, using extraordinary events to bring about extraordinary change in the lives of youngsters who have been involved in gangs and drugs, as well as clashing with the law. In a series of extreme sports activities, these young people have the chance to drive a Ferrari around a racetrack, dive (in a cage) to see sharks, abseil down Paarl Rock and clean up the streets of Woodstock, as their reward for being involved in community service and rehabilitation programmes. Youth Junction Concepts was started by brothers Denzil and Rowan Moses, who as youngsters had both been involved in illicit substances and behaviour. Denzil almost lost his life when he was shot in the face during a gang battle. For three days he was declared clinically dead, but miraculously he awoke from his coma. Shortly after this he watched his best friend die in his arms, also of a gunshot wound sustained during a gang battle. But the turning point in his life came when he hijacked a young man in his car. While he was threatening him with a firearm, the man calmly told him that he was not afraid of him or his gun, because a Higher Power was looking after him. “He told me what God had done for him, and what He could do for me. I got out and left him and his vehicle unharmed.” Denzil entered a rehabilitation programme, because by this time he had become a drug addict. After his recovery he started doing volunteer work amongst the youths of his community in Woodstock. And eight years down the line he is as clean as a whistle and has helped many families fight against drug addiction and crime. “Many youngsters who are involved in drugs and crime, become addicted to adrenaline. Handling a gun or even just buying drugs give them this boost. “That is why we launched the initiative of exposing youngsters who have been addicts and young criminals to extreme sports. “In doing so they get their rush, but also discover that there is another world out there and opportunities waiting.” Moses not only assists youngsters towards rehabilitation, but he helps families deal with these crises as well. “And the greatest reward that we get for our work, is when we see youngsters who were once in a pit of crime and drugs, now working towards a beter future.” Moses can be contacted at 073-343-4347 or email youthjunctionconcepts@yahoo.com.
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