Having completed his outpatient rehab programme with SANCA, which he embarked on in March 2023, Siphelo Phiri sees this as a pivotal moment in his life. He is optimistic that this achievement is just the beginning of a series of remarkable milestones.
Before coming to MES in Kempton Park, Phiri was employed at a health institute and living in Alexandra. His employment contract ended in September 2021, and unfortunately, this opened a door for him down a road of destruction. Being unemployed put him under tremendous stress, and he went back to using drugs, and in no time, he was homeless. Not long after being homeless, he found himself living in Randburg.
While living at the shelter, he received the news that his mother had passed on. Originally from the Eastern Cape, he knew he had to make a way back to his hometown to bury her. Unfortunately, one of the rules of the shelter was that if you exited yourself, you could not come back, so he decided to go home with the knowledge that he would be homeless if he returned.
Apart from seeking accommodation, Phiri’s priority when arriving at MES was finding a job to sustain himself, but this journey had other plans. He was fortunate enough to be chosen to be one of the MES beneficiaries to do a skills development course – not only one course but two. The first course was Plant Production, and the second was Perishable Product Exportation. Phiri will complete the practical component for the second course at Tembisa Hospital while he waits for permanent employment.
He mentioned that the therapeutic sessions and support groups have been instrumental in changing his mindset and perspective. He said that they have not only helped him open up about his drug problem but also instilled in him a sense of patience and a willingness to seize opportunities, even if they weren’t exactly what he wanted. Phiri looks forward to what the future has in store with hope and optimism. He is still very hopeful that he will find a job to exit the shelter, sustain himself and start his life on a clean slate.
In parting, he shared, “Even though I haven’t found a job yet, being at MES has helped me upskill myself, increasing my chance of employment. More importantly, MES has helped me improve my character and gain a positive attitude and mindset. These things are worth far more than money can buy, and I will always be grateful.” His hope for the future is a testament to his resilience and the transformative power of rehabilitation, personal development and the impact of the MES phased interventions.
