Woman Finds Childhood Friend On Streets Addicted To Drugs, Transforms Him So Much We Can’t Believe It’s Same Man
Kenyans have been moved by the story of Patrick Hinga, a man who was utterly lost, homeless, and a drug addict. That was his life until a chance meeting with a former classmate, Wanja Mwaura, kicked off a major transformation and turned his life around.
Patrick had endured major problems with addiction for years, beginning with an expulsion from school for smoking cigarettes and marijuana. This began a downward spiral, with his mother at her wit’s end trying to help him, eventually taking him to a mental institution in an attempt to curb his habit. He became well known at the hospital, running away and being re-admitted several times. “He complained a lot and said all they did was give him medication and treat him like a mental patient. He didn’t have any mental health issues, and that is why he kept running away,” Patrick’s mother, Nancy, told SDE. “But when he was out of the hospital, he would walk around the neighborhood completely naked, or he would rummage through garbage like a homeless person.”
While at the mental hospital, Patrick’s drug habit took a turn for the worse as he discovered a drug called Attain. “It isn’t supposed to be used daily, but because it got him high, he got addicted,” Nancy said. “It was only Sh2 (a few cents) per tablet. He even stole prescription papers and got them from chemists.”
With Patrick showing no signs of recovery, he finally ran away once and for all and began to roam the streets of Nairobi, disheveled and out of control, getting drugs wherever he could. His mother still tried to help him at this point of the lowest rock bottom by bringing him food. “We were always a spectacle; people would call each other to come and stare, laugh, and point at us as we ate. I was known as Mama wa wazimu” (the madman’s mother).
Then one day on the streets, in the little corner he had claimed for himself, Patrick met his old schoolmate Wanja. She began talking to Patrick, who expressed his desire to get off the streets and start a new life. Wanja promptly checked him into a drug rehabilitation center and found support and donations for Patrick’s treatment through social media. She was also able to give Patrick something to focus on after his recovery, helping him start his own business a shop called ‘Hinga’s Store.’
Patrick’s transformation, after detoxing from drugs at the rehab center and cleaning himself up, is incredible. He is grateful for the second chance at life that Wanja has helped him find. “I feel like I am a new man,” he told Daily Nation. “I pray daily, asking God to deliver me so that I am not pulled back to that life of drugs.”
Patrick Hinga had endured major problems with addiction for years, beginning with an expulsion from school
This began a downward spiral, which in the end left him homeless, suffering from serious drug addiction
Nancy Hinga, his mother, tried to help him by bringing him food. “I was known as the madman’s mother”
Then one day, in the little corner of the street Patrick had claimed for himself, he met his old schoolmate Wanja
She began talking to Patrick, who expressed his desire to get off the streets and start a new life
Wanja promptly checked him into a rehab center
And found support and donations for Patrick’s treatment through social media
She even helping him start his own business, a shop called ‘Hinga’s Store’
Patrick’s transformation after detoxing from drugs has been incredible
“I feel like I am a new man”
“I pray daily, asking God to deliver me so that I am not pulled back to that life of drugs.”
Kenyans have been moved by the story. The country faces a growing drug problem, particularly in the slums of Nairobi
But Patrick’s story proves that with a little help from good people, it’s never too late to turn your life around
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Share on FacebookHe looks so smart and dashing in second last image. What a transformation. What a inspirational and motivational story to those who are suffering and to those as well who are trying to help the people out there. One day at a time, people One day at a time.
That is real friendship goals right there ! Who cares if your friend likes your Facebook pics or not ? This is what we actually need !
What a wonderful story. A incredibly strong woman. Thanks to people like her, and! the man who prove that everybody counts and can make a change.
So here's one person that loves human beings like other love dogs and cats. There's still hope.
It's still ok to love dogs and cats and not be overly fond of humans. Just as long as you aren't cruel or hurtful there is room for all of us.
Load More Replies...Wow, he looks so good and elegant in the last images! I can't even imagine how much effort it took for him to defeat his addiction but the difference is striking! God bless that good woman, Wanja!!!
One of the first meetings (NA & AA) I heard someone say "you have a choice" and I laughed and laughed.....I never thought I had a choice against my addictions. But I kept listening and learning and one day I didn't laugh at that saying. It was the great support of those wonderful people in NA and AA that showed me the choice I had. What a guy, Patrick!! And what women to never give up supporting you in recovery!!
I'm so happy you managed to get the help and realisations you needed, well done!
Load More Replies...Nice story (minus the Joel Osteen book, though...). This girl is incredible, she saved his life...
Would you have made this comment if he was holding a Quran ??
Load More Replies...And the key to his success... he expressed the desire to get off the streets. You can really only save those who have at least a secret wish to be saved.
They all have at least a secret wish to be saved.
Load More Replies...At first i was like who the hell is the guy in the 9th picture? Then i realised it was the same crazy looking guy without the crazy look
It looks like he's wearing white eye liner in some of the pictures.
Load More Replies...Lol.. I despise Joel Osteen too, but least his book helped him
Load More Replies...I don't want to be cliched and say something like "this is an inspirational story" but you reminded me of another story of a man named Johnny Rhodes who is an alcoholic. Unlike you however, he is yet to win his battle against his addiction. This is the facebook link to the group of people who tried to help him by providing moral and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1592467754143785/
What happened to him? That link did not come up.
Load More Replies...I was happy and then I saw that picture of him holding the Joel Osteen book and I went "Oh no"... DON'T TEACH PEOPLE THAT GOD SOLVES THEIR PROBLEMS. It reduces the appreciation of true human achievement.
Joel Osteen is a scammer but do you truly think that people that achieve things and have faith don't do any hard work or make any effort? If it were that easy everyone would do it.
Load More Replies...Sadly, Insignificant Humans like Master Markus still think that politics belong in bored panda,
Load More Replies...Please keep him away from Osteen books and tv shows .Let him open his mind . Osteen is not a very good representative of God .
No religion is, especially for a fictitious character, but many hypocrites wouldn't have said anything of he was holding up a Quran
Load More Replies...Wish he would have picked a better guide than Joel Osteen. Whatever helps I guess.
I'm disappointed that he seems to be a Joel Osteen follower. Getting mixed up with liars and thieves can't be good for his program.
If he was holding a Quran would that have satisfied your hypocrisy ?
Load More Replies...I love this story and I am so, so, so glad for this man. But I want to point out that the book that he his holding is by a notorious prosperity evangelist, Joel Osteen. Prosperity evangelists essentially take advantage of Christians by preaching to them that the only way to win God's favor is by giving money to the church and the preacher. This theology is NOT supported in the Bible in ANY way; it is a scam. I am glad that this man is working hard to move his life in a positive direction, but Joel Osteen is not the way to do it.
Crazyman is now another man!! The new and the old Gods, bless that women!!
This is one of the most beautifulest stories I've ever read! Well donneee
They gave him a joel osteen book? poor guy. From drugs to being a sheep. I honestly don't know which is worse.
I was really touched by the story so that I got my self liking that lady as if I'm the one who got that assistance I said to myself "Yeah, that's what friendship is". Oh! What did I do again? I Just kissed her and said God bless you
This story moved me so much,what a transformation.He looks so much happier,healthier and younger.It takes great people to help this young man like she did .What a wonderful woman.And it also took him wanting to get better and that is exactly what he did.Great story,I hope to see alot more stories like this in the future.😊
With friendship, a real want for change, and love for one another, anything is possible
A great uplifting story! I'll pray for Patrick and his family and friends to stay strong and away from drugs. Also I'll pray for those afflictecd with addictions to find help and get clean.
O.M.G! Is this really the same man, I can't believe it. What a change, what a difference. This is real love/friendship. We can all save the world one person at a time.
Wow,just wow, what a difference, God Bless his childhood friend, now that is what a true friend is, and God bless him for turning his life around, he looks amazing, healthy, and confident!!
...or happy that no one in your life has screwed up their life so badly? ... Don't judge yourself so harshly, when your time comes you'll surely step up.
Load More Replies...You must be behind news. That guy died suddenly a while back after his recovery. So edit yr post.
U must be behind news. That guy died suddenly a while ago after his recovery.
Wooow...that was captivating....that serves as a lesson to all of us.never look down on someone.his/her tomorrow can be better
So incredible and touching story, May God bless you sister According to your heart Desires.
love is a powerful thing.... we need more love in the world.. i pledge to do my little part to make this world a better place for my fellow earthlings
I think that is important to be whit them who want to be sober, just spending time and talking about their problems and making food is helping back to normal routines.
So many triggered a******s with comments about Joel Osteen and reflexively upvoting each other; wonder how many of them would have made the same comments if this chap was holding a Quran? Don't know much about Osteen since I'm not even Christian but from what I've seen on TV he isn't a Jimmy Swaggart or Jim Baker type
Amazing! Good people are still around. May you be blessed by God a thousand folds:)
Oh my god! What a changed man he's become, thanks to his childhood friend. I wish him great success. And this woman I hope for the world to know her selfless act of what a true friend is. Excellent person, she!
I think there are angels all over the place and this woman is one of them.
I cannot believe how different, confident and well put together he looks now! If we hadn't seen the transformation photos I don't think that we would have believed that it's the same man.
H.O.L.Y. C.R.A.P.!! I've seen many transformation stories and pics, but this one is mindblowing!
This is a great and inspiring story but a little confused. In the first pics he has a huge scar across his cheek. In the last pics the scar is miraculously gone. I want to believe it's the same person but they just look so different, and with lack of scar... I hope it is the same guy and they didn't get the pics mixed up. I also wish there was someone like this out there for everyone x
I don't think thats a scar, I think its how his facial hair grows. Not a full beard, just around his mouth and lines up towards his ears.
Load More Replies...Very few people would have the big enough heart to stick with helping someone that much when everyone else had given up. Bless her
That was not a little help, this was really a huge personal investment of his old girlfriend. Well done!
She wasn't his girlfriend, she went to school with him
Load More Replies...First step in that remarkable recovery was to have someone believing he could get better!
LOVELY, story! LOVELY people! What a beautiful soul this woman has! Sometimes all someone needs is a friend to tell them, I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!
What a moving and inspiring story. Wow. Shows what one person's care and concern can do to rescue another person and restore him to life. May that story serve as an inspiration and model for others who might be able to reach out and help a person in need. Thank you for posting this.
Totally inspiring..... Shows what a little kindness can do. Blessings to you, young man.
Just wow. This woman is my new hero - she showed that the most important thing is to believe in someone no matter how bad could be. She's amazing! How many people just give up and even don't try to help others. It' s not easy at all. And a huge congrats for Patrick for finding strength to fight for himself too =D
Hopefully he will help other addicts that want to get clean but don't know how. Who better to help than someone who's been there?
Are there such awesome people out there? Sometimes I lose hope thinking there are. So much greatness in a little story.
I'm glad for him, he looked like a walker from the Walking Dead before she intervened.
...And she’s supposed to keep this quiet, because people frown on others who do good deeds and than post about them? Of course not! Ridiculous notion! Share that story and ENCOURAGE OTHERS to give of themselves to those less fortunate. You don’t have to necessarily go to such extraordinary lengths, but do what you can when you can. ...And share to encourage others to do the same...
Wonderful story! What a lovely person Wanja is, and the transformation in Patrick is incredible.
wow just to see the change in those eyes my gosh what a great lady and so caring look at him now, may God bless him as he walks with his Jesus wow and wow again what a dashing young man
Good on him, and his school friend for sticking it out with him. Not forgetting his Mother. As bad as Facebook is, being addicted to that shite is better than being addicted to drugs.
It is like swimming. Once you touch the bottom it is easier to push yourself up..
This is a very beautiful story. We need more people like Wanja in this world: compassionate and non-judgmental.
Wow. Just incredible. What a transformation. And it restores your faith in humanity!
Wonderful story. What heart Wanja has. If she'd been our Kenyan President instead of the one we got, Donald Trump wouldn't have had to save us - he'd still be having fun on The Apprentice. TRUTH.
Well, they both had to have the patience and time, these addictions can take months to years to overcome, but they all start with some help. Have you ever met anyone who got over an addiction COMPLETELY by themselves?
Load More Replies...Says someone who knows nothing about addiction.
Load More Replies...Note to anyone who sees this: don't reply to his comments. He's just trying to get attention.
Load More Replies...He looks so smart and dashing in second last image. What a transformation. What a inspirational and motivational story to those who are suffering and to those as well who are trying to help the people out there. One day at a time, people One day at a time.
That is real friendship goals right there ! Who cares if your friend likes your Facebook pics or not ? This is what we actually need !
What a wonderful story. A incredibly strong woman. Thanks to people like her, and! the man who prove that everybody counts and can make a change.
So here's one person that loves human beings like other love dogs and cats. There's still hope.
It's still ok to love dogs and cats and not be overly fond of humans. Just as long as you aren't cruel or hurtful there is room for all of us.
Load More Replies...Wow, he looks so good and elegant in the last images! I can't even imagine how much effort it took for him to defeat his addiction but the difference is striking! God bless that good woman, Wanja!!!
One of the first meetings (NA & AA) I heard someone say "you have a choice" and I laughed and laughed.....I never thought I had a choice against my addictions. But I kept listening and learning and one day I didn't laugh at that saying. It was the great support of those wonderful people in NA and AA that showed me the choice I had. What a guy, Patrick!! And what women to never give up supporting you in recovery!!
I'm so happy you managed to get the help and realisations you needed, well done!
Load More Replies...Nice story (minus the Joel Osteen book, though...). This girl is incredible, she saved his life...
Would you have made this comment if he was holding a Quran ??
Load More Replies...And the key to his success... he expressed the desire to get off the streets. You can really only save those who have at least a secret wish to be saved.
They all have at least a secret wish to be saved.
Load More Replies...At first i was like who the hell is the guy in the 9th picture? Then i realised it was the same crazy looking guy without the crazy look
It looks like he's wearing white eye liner in some of the pictures.
Load More Replies...Lol.. I despise Joel Osteen too, but least his book helped him
Load More Replies...I don't want to be cliched and say something like "this is an inspirational story" but you reminded me of another story of a man named Johnny Rhodes who is an alcoholic. Unlike you however, he is yet to win his battle against his addiction. This is the facebook link to the group of people who tried to help him by providing moral and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1592467754143785/
What happened to him? That link did not come up.
Load More Replies...I was happy and then I saw that picture of him holding the Joel Osteen book and I went "Oh no"... DON'T TEACH PEOPLE THAT GOD SOLVES THEIR PROBLEMS. It reduces the appreciation of true human achievement.
Joel Osteen is a scammer but do you truly think that people that achieve things and have faith don't do any hard work or make any effort? If it were that easy everyone would do it.
Load More Replies...Sadly, Insignificant Humans like Master Markus still think that politics belong in bored panda,
Load More Replies...Please keep him away from Osteen books and tv shows .Let him open his mind . Osteen is not a very good representative of God .
No religion is, especially for a fictitious character, but many hypocrites wouldn't have said anything of he was holding up a Quran
Load More Replies...Wish he would have picked a better guide than Joel Osteen. Whatever helps I guess.
I'm disappointed that he seems to be a Joel Osteen follower. Getting mixed up with liars and thieves can't be good for his program.
If he was holding a Quran would that have satisfied your hypocrisy ?
Load More Replies...I love this story and I am so, so, so glad for this man. But I want to point out that the book that he his holding is by a notorious prosperity evangelist, Joel Osteen. Prosperity evangelists essentially take advantage of Christians by preaching to them that the only way to win God's favor is by giving money to the church and the preacher. This theology is NOT supported in the Bible in ANY way; it is a scam. I am glad that this man is working hard to move his life in a positive direction, but Joel Osteen is not the way to do it.
Crazyman is now another man!! The new and the old Gods, bless that women!!
This is one of the most beautifulest stories I've ever read! Well donneee
They gave him a joel osteen book? poor guy. From drugs to being a sheep. I honestly don't know which is worse.
I was really touched by the story so that I got my self liking that lady as if I'm the one who got that assistance I said to myself "Yeah, that's what friendship is". Oh! What did I do again? I Just kissed her and said God bless you
This story moved me so much,what a transformation.He looks so much happier,healthier and younger.It takes great people to help this young man like she did .What a wonderful woman.And it also took him wanting to get better and that is exactly what he did.Great story,I hope to see alot more stories like this in the future.😊
With friendship, a real want for change, and love for one another, anything is possible
A great uplifting story! I'll pray for Patrick and his family and friends to stay strong and away from drugs. Also I'll pray for those afflictecd with addictions to find help and get clean.
O.M.G! Is this really the same man, I can't believe it. What a change, what a difference. This is real love/friendship. We can all save the world one person at a time.
Wow,just wow, what a difference, God Bless his childhood friend, now that is what a true friend is, and God bless him for turning his life around, he looks amazing, healthy, and confident!!
...or happy that no one in your life has screwed up their life so badly? ... Don't judge yourself so harshly, when your time comes you'll surely step up.
Load More Replies...You must be behind news. That guy died suddenly a while back after his recovery. So edit yr post.
U must be behind news. That guy died suddenly a while ago after his recovery.
Wooow...that was captivating....that serves as a lesson to all of us.never look down on someone.his/her tomorrow can be better
So incredible and touching story, May God bless you sister According to your heart Desires.
love is a powerful thing.... we need more love in the world.. i pledge to do my little part to make this world a better place for my fellow earthlings
I think that is important to be whit them who want to be sober, just spending time and talking about their problems and making food is helping back to normal routines.
So many triggered a******s with comments about Joel Osteen and reflexively upvoting each other; wonder how many of them would have made the same comments if this chap was holding a Quran? Don't know much about Osteen since I'm not even Christian but from what I've seen on TV he isn't a Jimmy Swaggart or Jim Baker type
Amazing! Good people are still around. May you be blessed by God a thousand folds:)
Oh my god! What a changed man he's become, thanks to his childhood friend. I wish him great success. And this woman I hope for the world to know her selfless act of what a true friend is. Excellent person, she!
I think there are angels all over the place and this woman is one of them.
I cannot believe how different, confident and well put together he looks now! If we hadn't seen the transformation photos I don't think that we would have believed that it's the same man.
H.O.L.Y. C.R.A.P.!! I've seen many transformation stories and pics, but this one is mindblowing!
This is a great and inspiring story but a little confused. In the first pics he has a huge scar across his cheek. In the last pics the scar is miraculously gone. I want to believe it's the same person but they just look so different, and with lack of scar... I hope it is the same guy and they didn't get the pics mixed up. I also wish there was someone like this out there for everyone x
I don't think thats a scar, I think its how his facial hair grows. Not a full beard, just around his mouth and lines up towards his ears.
Load More Replies...Very few people would have the big enough heart to stick with helping someone that much when everyone else had given up. Bless her
That was not a little help, this was really a huge personal investment of his old girlfriend. Well done!
She wasn't his girlfriend, she went to school with him
Load More Replies...First step in that remarkable recovery was to have someone believing he could get better!
LOVELY, story! LOVELY people! What a beautiful soul this woman has! Sometimes all someone needs is a friend to tell them, I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!
What a moving and inspiring story. Wow. Shows what one person's care and concern can do to rescue another person and restore him to life. May that story serve as an inspiration and model for others who might be able to reach out and help a person in need. Thank you for posting this.
Totally inspiring..... Shows what a little kindness can do. Blessings to you, young man.
Just wow. This woman is my new hero - she showed that the most important thing is to believe in someone no matter how bad could be. She's amazing! How many people just give up and even don't try to help others. It' s not easy at all. And a huge congrats for Patrick for finding strength to fight for himself too =D
Hopefully he will help other addicts that want to get clean but don't know how. Who better to help than someone who's been there?
Are there such awesome people out there? Sometimes I lose hope thinking there are. So much greatness in a little story.
I'm glad for him, he looked like a walker from the Walking Dead before she intervened.
...And she’s supposed to keep this quiet, because people frown on others who do good deeds and than post about them? Of course not! Ridiculous notion! Share that story and ENCOURAGE OTHERS to give of themselves to those less fortunate. You don’t have to necessarily go to such extraordinary lengths, but do what you can when you can. ...And share to encourage others to do the same...
Wonderful story! What a lovely person Wanja is, and the transformation in Patrick is incredible.
wow just to see the change in those eyes my gosh what a great lady and so caring look at him now, may God bless him as he walks with his Jesus wow and wow again what a dashing young man
Good on him, and his school friend for sticking it out with him. Not forgetting his Mother. As bad as Facebook is, being addicted to that shite is better than being addicted to drugs.
It is like swimming. Once you touch the bottom it is easier to push yourself up..
This is a very beautiful story. We need more people like Wanja in this world: compassionate and non-judgmental.
Wow. Just incredible. What a transformation. And it restores your faith in humanity!
Wonderful story. What heart Wanja has. If she'd been our Kenyan President instead of the one we got, Donald Trump wouldn't have had to save us - he'd still be having fun on The Apprentice. TRUTH.
Well, they both had to have the patience and time, these addictions can take months to years to overcome, but they all start with some help. Have you ever met anyone who got over an addiction COMPLETELY by themselves?
Load More Replies...Says someone who knows nothing about addiction.
Load More Replies...Note to anyone who sees this: don't reply to his comments. He's just trying to get attention.
Load More Replies...
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