In 2023, I had an apprenticeship program at Second Chance Outreach in Capetown, Mr. Cupido’s drug rehabilitation NGO. Every day, I learned about the lives of others and the true meaning of a second chance.

Every morning, my friends Julia, Isa, and I would meet halfway between our houses at 8 am. As broke students, we had a system where someone different called an Uber each day. When we arrived at Retreat, a township in Cape Town, the driver would warn us to be careful. However, Retreat quickly became a second home for us.

As soon as we got out of the car, Mr. Cupido would be there waiting for us with his friends who sold oranges on the street. He would always buy us some for breakfast. That’s what made Mr. Cupido special – he made us feel like we belonged. Whether it was by giving us fruit, salads, or freshly baked goods, he always went out of his way to make us feel welcome.

The building where Mr. Cupido worked was both partially a church and his office, and it had an aura of hope. Being there reminded me that everyone is living for the first time. 

Julia used an unbranded laptop, Isa had a 2000s ThinkPad, and I used a box computer – it was a learning experience. The three of us managed to make it lighter, typing over 15 profiles and stories of addiction. We found ourselves sharing what we had learned from different people’s experiences. We heard from couples, parents, and friends, and saw how much people are affected by characteristics they cannot change. This made me appreciate Mr. Cupido even more.

As I digitized all of his financial books, I saw that he paid himself the least. Mr. Cupido suffered from years of addiction and went to rehab but did not find a space to grow there. He was ignored, and it took him a lot of effort to get through it. His past pictures may prove shocking to anyone who sees the laughing and kind Mr. Cupido who always goes out of his way to help others. When talking about his measly salary, he would frequently say that his greatest blessing was rather helping people the way he would like to have been helped. 

I am inspired by Mr. Cupido’s selfless acts of heroism. He has dedicated his life to saving others in his community, and his empathetic nature has made a significant impact on dozens of people’s lives. It takes a special kind of person to be able to dedicate their life to helping those in need. I have tried ever since to emulate Mr. Cupido`s bravery and kindness in everything I do.

Process

As I pondered what to write about, I knew I wanted to share an experience that left a memorable mark on my development as a young woman. My previous involvement in activism had equipped me with a certain level of awareness, but this particular experience managed to pierce through my heart and leave a lasting impression. I owe a debt of gratitude to the Take Action Lab program for granting me the opportunity to participate in this life-altering event.