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On the rise: A Manenberg coffee shop is keeping drug users clean

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Learning how to bake is changing lives for drug users in Manenberg, Cape Town.

Jou Ma Se Kombuis, an incredible social initiative, seeks to equip and train young men and women in the art and discipline of baking and catering with the hopes of repairing fractured lives broken by rampant drug use.

The initiative, a coffee shop run by the Fusion Manenberg Project, provides recovering drug users with a constructive outlet by bringing them into the kitchen.

Away from the chaos and upheaval of their gangs and drugs, Jou Ma Se Kombuis gives people a chance and the space to rebuild their lives.

Patrick Nel, the manager, said they instil discipline and teach the rhythm of working to the participants. Nel hoped that through Jou Ma Se Kombuis they could find the inspiration and support to achieve their dream of change.

“We are intentionally working with guys and girls who are on drugs that want to come out of gangs and would want to change their lives,” said Nel.

“At least every second or third road has a house, or two, or three, that sells drugs. If you can’t find purpose in your life, or at home, obviously there is something else to do out there,” said Nel.

The initiative has been hailed by those who have been helped by it.

“For me it’s about being able to give back to my community because I always broke down my community, and my people and loved ones,” said a recovering drug user.

“Now they can come here and I can give them a nice hot panini,” he said.

» Jou Ma se Kombuis is open to the public on Fridays. Follow the initiative on Facebook or visit http://www.fusionmanenberg.org.za for more information.
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