​Anthony Brink, 45, once thought it was not worth to live anymore. He tried to commit suicide a year ago due to drugs.
Brink was homeless before being housed at Quegal Restoration and Refugee Centre for Homeless funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development in Magaliesburg in the West Rand. He gave a testimony of how the centre and the Department is restoring hope and dignity in his life during the commemorating of World Homeless Day at the centre.

He said he was roaming around the streets of Ekurhuleni for four years following his divorce due to drugs and ended up losing his job. To feed his habit he sold his clothes and other items in the house and left his ex-wife with two children. Brink continued living on the streets until the country was placed on lockdown following the outbreak of covid-19. He says he was fortunate to be taken to the shelter, (Quegal Restoration and Refugee Centre) in May last year. At the centre they were taught skills such as farming, baking, and sewing. Through the empowerment they had their hopes and dignity restored.

“I even completed my matric here. I now understand life better than before as I acknowledged my challenges. I was very stubborn and never listened to anyone. But now I accept things I cannot change.  With skills I got here, I’m preparing towards my exit. This centre assisted me a lot and now I have a good relationship with my children as they also see the change in me. I am grateful to this Centre and the government”, Brink added.

When the country experienced a surge in the Covid-19 outbreak, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. Homeless people were identified across the province as a group that needed to be protected.

The beneficiaries are accessing all the necessary services such as psycho-social support, counselling, skills development, anti-substance abuse services, sports, and cultural activities.