Unsung heroes: Helping others live sober

By EDWIN CHESEREK

He would pass for an ordinary man in the streets, but Armstrong Rono, has his place in the challenging fight against alcohol and drug abuse in Kenya.

He has been instrumental in helping hundreds of youth trapped in alcoholism and substance abuse live sober lives again.

The plight of youth destroyed by drugs compelled him to set up a rehabilitation centre using his own resources.

Rono’s deep conviction of helping victims of substance abuse led him to knock on the doors of the National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), and he has faithfully walked this path.

“I submitted a proposal to Nacada, asking whether there was room to help addicts and if I could be trained to offer the much needed services to help addicts live sober lives again,” he recalls.

The agency was impressed by the suggestion and he was invited for training to help spearhead the agency’s campaigns.

Freedom Homes was born out of this noble determination and desire to reform addicts, though many viewed it as a dumping place for those rejected by families.

“There is nothing painful like watching very learned and energetic young people rot away when we can mobilise resources and reform them to be productive in their families, as well as the country,” he says.

Rono had to move from his home in Eldama Ravine to settle in Eldoret, where he set up the centre. He started with only two clients but the number grows by the day.

Though he admits that rehabilitation is an expensive venture, he says his is a divine call to see the youth live sober lives again. The journey has not been easy though, as many families forget about their sons and daughters the same day they admit them to the centre.

 “It takes three months to reform someone suffering from substance use but a lot of resources are required to ensure the programme is successful,” Rono says.

Rono is now a household name in the Rift Valley region. He has brought back life to scores of youth who had been wasting away in drinking dens.

 Code of ethics

He is among a few individuals who went to the United States for training on International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.

“The trainings prepared us to participate in developing a curriculum and code of ethics for anti-addiction professionals in the country,” he says.

Rono has cast his net wide. Apart from offering counselling services to students, he is invited by corporates to offer advice to employees.

 “Every institution is required to have an alcohol and drug abuse policy. I have helped several institutions in coming up with such policies,” he adds.

When he is not on assignment at the institutions, he spends most of his time in his office, offering outpatient services to addicts, mainly university students and employees referred to him by employers.

“I am ready to assist any client who is need of my services. I do not turn away those who have no money because I will need them in one way or another in future,” says Rono.

He has helped more than 150 addicts live sober lives again in the last three years.

Rono, who secured a scholarship through the Ministry of Education to pursue a degree in Sociology and Economics at the University of Udaipur Rajasthan in India, says he has a duty to give back to the society.

The efforts have seen him rise through the ranks in the sector to become the chairman of the Association of Kenya Addiction Counsellors.

Wasted life

 “To me, this career is a calling. I am looking forward to partner with the county governments as my joy is to see a wasted life back on feet again. I want to give back to the society for the rest of my life,” says Rono.

His future plan is to set up more rehabilitation centres in the Rift and devolve his services to benefit those who are in dire need and willing to reform and contribute positively to the society.