Interview by: Living Hope
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Drugs, gangsters, robberies – these are just a few of the many challenges that 20-year-old Rafeeq Hamza grew up with in the community of Capricorn in the Western Cape. Rafeeq was brought up in a diverse family – his mother a devout Christian, and his father a devout Muslim. He always felt stuck in the middle. He didn’t know where his path was in life. From an early age, most of his friends were doing drugs, getting involved in gangsterism, and dropping out of school. Rafeeq’s older brother always looked out for him and encouraged him to live a better life. He recommended that Rafeeq join him and his sisters at one of the Living Hope afternoon clubs, a decision that changed the course of Rafeeq’s life. After growing up attending the Living Hope Life Skills programmes as a child, Rafeeq came to intimately know Jesus and gave his life to Christ. Today, Rafeeq is employed as a Life Skill Educator for Living Hope, and encourages others to turn their lives around for Christ.
“I didn’t know where I should go, what I should choose, or what I should live for.”
Rafeeq Hamza
Q. Tell us a little bit about your childhood?
I had to face so many challenges growing up. Most of my friends started doing drugs, got involved in gangsterism, and dropped out of school. My brother, who is also on drugs, even stole from me. These were really tough times. However, my brother always looked out for me. He used to attend Living Hope afternoon clubs with my sisters. They always used to come home with crafts – such as cups with scriptures on them – and they would tell me the Bible story that they had learnt each day. My brother recommended that I visit the club. He encouraged me, “It’s fun at club and you can stay away from trouble. Mom will know where you are.”
Q. What did you like about attending club as a kid?
Growing up, my mom always spoke about Jesus Christ and prayed to God. When I was at club, they were telling me the same things as my mom. My parents each had their own religion – I didn’t know where I should go, what I should choose, and what I should live for. In the Bible sessions at Living Hope, they would explain how things in the Bible happened and they always played a video clip to show us what Jesus Christ had done for us. At Living Hope I saw a lot of things that I didn’t see in the Islamic religion, which was a bit too strict for me. I found love at Living Hope. I saw people loving me. There were a few volunteers that came and they just loved me like I’m their own brother. When I came to club, they would always ask me, “Rafeeq, how was school?” which was a conversation that I didn’t usually have with my parents. When they asked me that question, I would answer, “Why are you asking me that? Not many people ask me those types of questions.” They listened to my stories about school and they would ask me “How was band practice, athletic practice.” They built that relationship with me and made me feel comfortable. They were always there for me with an ear to listen.
Q. Some get bored as teenagers and drift away from their faith – what kept you attending club?
When we interacted, it was just fun, there was no swearing and no fighting there. Everything was in order. It seemed like a place where I could go and talk about my problems. They were always there for me. When I had a problem in my life, they would have a conversation with me to try to figure out what was really causing that problem, and then they would point to me to a scripture to help me to see how to fix it. I began to realise that there is a scripture for everything that’s happening and for every situation! When there was nothing to eat at home, I would go to club and there was always something provided for me to eat. They were never rude to anyone. In the times in my life when I drifted away, they would say to me “Come back to club, stop wasting your time, you have a talent that you can work on.” When others are trying to break you down, they build you up. I was there to praise and worship. I felt something there like I had never felt before… I felt like it was my home. Ups and downs, good times and bad times, they are my family.
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Date published: 15/05/2020
LIVING HOPE seeks to reach people for Christ, bringing hope and breaking the despair of poverty and disease. Visit livinghope.co.za
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