Gregory Samauls, like most teenagers, wanted to be part of the “cool kids” and started experimenting with cigarettes, which later advanced to dagga and soon he was on drugs.
But his life as a “cool kid” soon took a turn for the worse. At the age of 16 he found himself addicted to heroin.
An addiction he fed and fought for 20 years.
Samauls, born and bred in Hanover Park, eventually ended up living on the street and at various shelters around the city.
Yesterday (10 October) marked World Homeless Day.
According to World Homeless Day, a non-profit organisation (NPO), the purpose of the day is to draw attention to the needs of people who experience homelessness and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage an “international day” provides to end homelessness through improved policy and funding.
Samauls, now 38 and living in Sea Point, shared his tale with People’s Post. He says life on the street was tough.
“My addiction eventually landed me on the street. I was stealing from my family and was doing all kinds of things. I was sleeping outside shops in Bellville. My family would see me on the street, and they were shocked by the way I looked. I wasn’t myself. They begged me to seek help.”
He explains that in 2019, after his brother took him to New Somerset Hospital, he was diagnosed with unspecified bipolar.
He was then transferred to Valkenberg Hospital.
According to Samauls, after he was discharged from hospital he relapsed and started smoking again.
“I would get help, but then after a few months I would relapse again.”
He explains that 2020 was his worst year.
“Two years ago, I was at my lowest and I found myself at Paint City in Bellville. At the back of my mind, I always knew that I wasn’t living a purposeful life and wanted to change my circumstances, but my addiction overpowered me.”
Samauls explains that he was advised to seek help at the Sultan Bahu Centre, a drug rehabilitation centre which he attended for more than a year.
Samauls explains that while attending workshops at the centre he slowly started to piece back his life.
“I was advised that Project Hope was looking for field workers. Last year, I went for an interview at Project Hope and became a volunteer as a community care ambassador.”
Project Hope (Homelessness Outreach Prevention and Education) operating in the Sea Point, Fresnaye and Bantry Bay areas aims to offer services of reintegration of homeless people into communities.
He explains that for four months he was not earning a salary and struggled financially, but he was determined to turn his life around.
“As a volunteer I didn’t receive an income. But I wanted to get out of shelters and stay off drugs.”
Kevin Alexander, Project Manager for Project Hope, says since Samauls agreed to join the reintegration programme in September last year, he has made huge strides.
“After about two months he was identified as a suitable candidate to become a team supervisor of a team of approximately eight workers (beach and street cleaning), exhibiting exceptional leadership skills and initiative.”
He adds: “He is a recovering substance user having been clean for over 12 months. That is truly exceptional! We have since appointed him as a recovery coach to facilitate our substance abuse weekly programme for a group of his peers.”
Alexander says Samauls serves as an example of how Project Hope aims to empower homeless persons off the streets towards independent living.
Fast forward to today and Samauls is employed by Project Hope and was recently promoted to a senior supervisor.
On Wednesday 28 September he celebrated two years drug free.
At the beginning of this year, he moved into a guest house which he is renting in Sea Point.
“I am now living the life I always dreamt of. I am proud of myself and how far I have come.”
Samauls attributes his healing journey to support from his family and divine intervention.
Samauls also shares an inspirational message with others still living on the street and fighting an addiction.
“Have hope. Believe in God! I have learnt that you cannot do it without God. I thank my family and all the people in my life who supported me. They were my motivation,” concludes Samauls
