The story I am about to tell is a real story
and a story close to my heart. In South Africa and all around the world, people
hear the horror stories of abuse, torture, rape, torment, and misfortune. Reading
about the stories is one way to bring awareness, but when people are involved
in making a difference the whole outlook of horrors changes to gratitude and
humbleness.
Natasha & Chris - September 2013 |
This is the story of Natasha and Chris, two
people from entirely different backgrounds whose lives read like a horror
movie. Natasha is almost thirty years old and finally after years of suffering
has the hope of freedom.
Natasha was abused at the age of six by her
grandfather. Her parents divorced and her life was barely comfortable from a
young child. At the age of thirteen, Natasha disappeared, according to her
account she was alone in the world with no family and somehow ended up living
with Nigerians. Nigerians who were notorious drug lords.
From the age of thirteen, without any formal
education and no chance of receiving any, she was given drugs and alcohol and
turned into a prostitute. As the years went by, she was then used as a drug
mule for the Drug Lords and traveled to China, Brazil, London, and some other
countries to deliver drugs and diamonds to contacts overseas. We have heard of
stories about these young women taking drugs from one country to another and
being detained to face a life imprisonment, but Natasha was never caught. One
can only assume it was because of her formal lack of education.
At the age of twenty-two, still a Nigerian call
girl, she met Chris, who came from a loving home, had siblings and a decent
education. Chris displayed talents with bright prospects for the future; he too
became a slave to drugs. Chris worked in the manufacturing industry and paid a
weekly wage for his services. Friday was drug and booze day; he would end up in
one of the drug dealers dens for the entire weekend, fed with drugs and set
free on Sunday. No money, lonely and sorry for his behavior would return home.
From the age of twenty, Chris started using
drugs, his parents sent him to rehab time after time, and he would be clean for
a few months, and then start the abuse repeatedly. Support groups were joined,
to help. Intervention from church leaders was sought, and other family members
were asked to assist. This all helped to a degree, for a six month clean slate
only to return to the old ways of drugs and alcohol. Nothing helped simply
because Chris did not want help. Finally, his family had enough and told him to
find his way in life, and turned to tough love. Chris left home.
Eight years ago, Chris and Natasha moved in
together and realizing her difficult life she had led, he wanted to help her. It
would be a case of the blind leading the blind. Over the years, they moved into
back rooms of houses, sharing ablution facilities with mainly black people. The
type of rooms was small, dark, with limited lighting, and dirty. Often one
house would accommodate up to a hundred people with no kitchen facilities
and had to share one bathroom. During the weeks, he would go to work and over
weekends drink alcohol. Drugs became second choice while alcohol was primarily
first option. It was legal and easy to access.
Their life together was a roller coaster ride
of moving from one back room to another, working, and drinking. Natasha was off
the street, no longer a prostitute and began to understand there was a life
after drugs. The two would try their best to stay away from alcohol and for
months stay clean, and try to live an ordinary life.
Natasha found her mother several years ago and
had the opportunity of visiting. She met her two brothers and bonded as best as
she could. Her mother moved away and for a few years; they did stay in touch by
phone, but clearly, there was no love or help for the lost Natasha.
Of Course Chris’ family continued to support
the two and at the age of 27 Natasha was given the chance to go to the movies,
it was the first time in her life she saw the film on the big screen. She began
to enjoy some normality like eating at a restaurant, a visit to the zoo or
going to church.
However, the year of abuse took its toll on her
health and from the beginning of this year; she was admitted to a government
hospital several times. With her deteriorating health and squalor living
conditions, drinking alcohol was dangerous. Once again, Natasha lost contact
with her mother, and her condition became an emotional one of rejection.
Chris for the entire year remained clean, and
it is assumed the stress of the continuous fighting with their neighbors, who
clearly did not like Natasha and would make living conditions difficult for
her. She was not allowed to use the toilet during the day, and was only allowed
to shower in cold water. Their electricity was turned off most of the time, and
so the continued abuse caused Natasha to have a mental breakdown. Her behavior
changed from rational to lunacy. Whether it was a combination of medical
tablets received from, the hospital mixed with alcohol or drugs it is unknown.
She would rant and rave, throw her clothes away, mix cat food with their food
among other strange occurrences, like cut her hair almost bald. Her neighbors were annoyed with the constant
noise. They took a whip, and hit her shouting that it was the only way to get
rid of the devil within her. Her legs are severely damaged, cut, and bruised
from this beating.
The sudden change in behavior over the past
two months caused Chris to return to drugs. A drug addict we know would sell
all their belongings to support their habit and two weeks ago, Chris gave his
car to a drug lord as surety for a quick fix. The drug lord did not refuse;
money is money, and there is no end to the injustices of their structure of
supplying drugs.
This last week was a nightmare; the pair was
asked to leave their room by the end of the month, and a turning point for
Natasha, who finally cried out for real help. It was arranged with caring
people to take them to a facility where the two would once again get help.
Thursday night, Chris got his wages, and as he
attempted to enter the premises where he lived, three Nigerians with guns told
him to come with them. Chris knew they were from the drug lord and did not
resist. He was placed in a small dark room, stripped and his money taken. The
drug lord told him he wanted all his money. Otherwise, he would kill him. Chris
declined to tell the entire story of what happened to him the night he was held
hostage, and was given a dose of Heroin before he was set free the next
morning. So hooked on heroin and full of drug confidence, Chris said he did not
want help and refused all offers for a chance to change.
Natasha was adamant; her body was sore, she
could barely walk, but she wanted out, and she wanted help. On Friday, with the
assistance of friends, Natasha met a social worker who gave her support and
arranged for a new home for her. She had to spend one more night in the hellhole
and would begin a new life with new opportunities on Saturday.
Saturday, with her few clothes and belongings
packed in black plastic bags, Natasha entered a home for the destitute. At first,
she appeared frightened and apprehensive about staying with strangers, but the
overpowering love and humbleness soon brought a smile to her sad face.
Chris & Natasha - Friday June 27 |
Her new home is a place for destitute, needy,
and underprivileged people. A place that is currently home to almost 1,500
white people that have experienced hardships in the past. With the opportunity
to talk to some of the residents, the grateful and humble attitude of these
people was astonishing. The energy of love and support flowing among the
residents is a blessing.
Chris & Natasha Friday June 27 - Clearly in need of Help. |
Tomorrow Natasha will be taken to a clinic
where doctors will access her physical health and treat her badly bruised body.
The residents of the home and social workers will give her support, and it is
with gratitude that Natasha finally can have the hope of living a decent life.
Sadly, to say, Chris did not want the offer of
help and is now all alone in his back room, living with the threat of a drug
lord who wants to kill him. Chris is well aware that he may not ask the police
for help, and his choice of not taking help will ultimately be his downfall. It
is a known fact that the drug lords are merciless and cruel. Two horrific
killings have happened to users who did not pay their drug bill recently.
Author’s note :
I am well aware of the heartache and suffering
of parents that have children who are hooked on drugs. For many years, I have
been involved with support groups, extending support and receiving support. Chris
is my son, and this is the child I know, not the 'devil one' existing today.
Chris a few years ago. |
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