Eldoret Centre Transforming Lives

By John Cheruiyot
It was song and dance at Eldoret Haven Recovery Centre recently when 53 former alcoholics and drug addicts graduated. It was an emotionally charged atmosphere when relatives, parents and friends assembled to receive former societal misfits. The graduands were hugged, embraced, and decorated with flowers. Tears of joy freely flowed as the graduands were received and congratulated. Every graduand took to the podium to give his or her testimony on how alcohol had wrecked his or her life.

Phillip from Tindiret confessed , “I stole beans and maize to buy beer. I wronged, cheated and stole from relatives and neighbours,” he added.
Anna Jemaiyo from Keiyo district revealed “I was cruel, abusive, hostile and destructive. My children deserted me and so were my daughters in law. In fact I burnt a house when my evil moods took control of me”
Mr. Joseph Lagat from Nandi North confessed, “I have been an alcoholic for 15 years. I was once employed at Kenyatta University where I got sacked for my drinking. Stopping smoking and drinking is the toughest thing to do. However no smoker or alcoholic is beyond repair. I am now a free man. Free from the bondage of alcohol. God has changed me”.
Kenneth Kosgei from Iten confessed “Beer has been my number one problem. I used every trick in the book to access beer. I would even use insects and reptiles to scare away those who sold or possessed beer. I was a threat and a nuisance to my people. Am now a new man and anew creature”.
“Satan stole my name Daniel and gave me Taliban.”Daniel Tirop revealed.
Samuel Sitet from Kitale confessed.“When I began drinking I thought it was easy. Beer has not helped me. Instead it has rendered me untrustworthy and inflicted shame on me and my family.”

Alfred Kiprotich from Cherangani confessed “Beer made me a thief. I stole everything and anything. I thus beg my brothers, sisters and parents to forgive me”.
Justus Kirui from Sotik confessed “The craving for alcohol made me steal things”.
The rehabilitation session took two months of very hard and difficult detoxification period for every addict of beer or cigar. They underwent tough training and rehabilitation period.
The centre was founded by Rev. Rono a man who was set apart and commissioned by God to help deliver alcoholics and drug addicts. When he disclosed his mission to the church leadership he was outrightly rejected. That church had nothing to do with alcoholics and drugs addicts the very scum of the society. Rono obeyed his God and his move to live for the rejects of the society has paid dividends. He established Haven Rehabilitation centre about 10km East of Eldoret town along Elgeiyo Border road. The centre offers a two month rehabilitation program for desperate addicts and alcoholics. Indeed it is a human reconditioning centre; a human resurrection centre. Men and women who have given up in life are restored.

Attending a graduation ceremony for former addicts and alcoholic is like no other event. It is a funeral in reverse; both sad and a happy moment. It is the end of sadness and evil side of life and the beginning of good times.

The mighty and the powerless, the rich and the poor are brought together as they embrace their delivered loved ones. Whether it is their uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, mothers or fathers, sons or daughters the centre has witnessed transformed lives of men and women whom the society had written off.

Indeed the graduation from addiction to freedom is a powerful experience. It is like a man or a woman coming from the grave. In most cases spouses who were separated by brutality and irresponsibility of drug and beer addiction are invited to the graduation, hence the event is dramatic, drastic and transforming. Homes and marriages are healed, relationships mended and made whole.

Alumni of the centre graced the occasion. One of them was Brian Kones the elder son of the Late MP, Kipkalya Kones. He was given chance to speak. He spoke eloquently and powerfully. His transformation from beer addiction to new freedom is profound. Relatives of ex-addicts keep coming to witness others come out from the chains and oppression of alcohol.
Parents whose children have graduated from the centre and have now become responsible citizens have great attachment to the centre.

Cherambos a former presidential security chief during Moi era attended the occasion. One of his daughters who graduated from the centre is now pursuing a master degree abroad.
Rev. Rono confesses that only God delivers the desperate men and women admitted at the centre. That the word of God and His power deliver and give a new lease of life to everyone who comes to the centre.

Every graduand after making powerful confessions openly asks for forgiveness from every one he or she had wronged.
Timothy Sawe from Ndalat Nandi North confessed, “I am a resurrected man from the grave of alcohol. I have been a problem to everyone particularly my family; my parents and neighbours, please forgive me.”

A teenager from Coast, Mr. Machiwe was among those who graduated from the centre. He confessed “I started smoking in primary. I smoked bhang in high school. Though I was brought in a Christian family I hated Christianity and thus rebelled against my parents. I was rude to them. I deviated from the norms. I spent my life in night clubs. My parents suffered psychological anguish caused by my anti social lifestyle. I now know God in a personal way”.
His parents and siblings burst in tears of joy as they saw their son and brother come to his senses again. His father said “I have forgiven my son. I want this program to reach the Coast. As a parent I had reached the end of my wits and power. I told God that I was handing over this son to Him. With God the impossible is possible”.

Such powerful emotional scenes are witnessed every two months during graduation ceremony at Haven Recovery Centre.

Each graduand is awarded a certificate bearing his/her name with the message: In recognition of commitment, courage and completion of a 60 days Rehabilitation program.