A non-governmental organization, David Refuge Care Foundation, which
aims at reorienting social deviants, including women, cultists and drug
addicts, has been inaugurated at Koko, Warri North Local Government
Area, Delta State.
Chief Executive Officer of the group, a
one-time cocaine addict, Deaconess Julie Park, said: “I will be running
it with the support of well-meaning individuals, the church community
and international organizations.”
I sold all my property, stayed under the bridge
According
to Park, “I underwent rehabilitation as a deviant about 10 years. I was
once addicted to cocaine. I sold all my property in the process and
consequently found myself under a bridge in Lagos until I got
rehabilitated, and about the same time I, too, began to rehabilitate
others.
Two-phased reintegration
“The rehabilitation will
be in two stages. The first stage will last for six months when the
inmates will be taught the word of God. We will use the word of God to
replace what they were doing before they came into the centre.
“The
second stage is the training stage when they will be taught the trade of
their choices and graduate to become useful entrepreneurs,” she added.
Answer to prayers
A
member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Gbubemi Otumara, said, “The
presence of David Refuge Care Foundation in Koko will facilitate general
development in the area.
“It is an indication that God has heard
the prayers of the people of the area and I am persuaded that God will
bless the CEO, trustees and the addicts, who will be receiving
rehabilitation, counselling and training in the center.”
Pastor Jinadu performs inauguration
The
center was officially opened by Pastor Buki Jinadu, project coordinator
of Lagos-based Wellspring Rehabilitation Center, where Park, herself,
was rehabilitated, over a decade ago.
Jinadu however, advised the villagers to “fear, respect God and love your neighbours as you love yourselves.”
Vanguard