Marlesh, a university student in Kigali, once found himself trapped in the dark corners of addiction during his early days on campus. But through determination and support, he turned his life around—now inspiring others with his story of resilience and hope.
Marlesh’s struggles began in his first year, during a time when academic pressure and social influence weighed heavily on him. At first, it started with casual drinking—just a way to blow off steam after long study nights at one of Kigali’s bustling universities. But what began as a form of stress relief slowly grew into a deeper problem.
“I thought I was just having fun,” Marlesh recalls. “But before I knew it, I couldn’t focus in class, and my grades started dropping. My relationships with friends and family also suffered.”
Then came a night that changed everything.
During a late group study session, Marlesh collapsed unexpectedly. His friends rushed him to the hospital, where doctors delivered a serious warning that the substances were starting to take a toll on his body. That moment became his wake-up call.
“I realized I couldn’t keep living like this,” he says. “I needed to change.”
With encouragement from his family and the support of the university’s counseling services, Marlesh took a brave step: he joined a rehabilitation program. The road to recovery wasn’t easy. There were setbacks, moments of frustration, and times when giving up seemed tempting. But he held on.
A breakthrough came when he joined a student peer support group. There, he found others who understood his journey.
“Hearing others talk about their struggles gave me hope,” he says. “It showed me that I wasn’t alone and that recovery was possible.”
As he began to rebuild his life, Marlesh turned to writing, a passion he had nearly forgotten. Journaling became more than a habit. It became a way to express emotions, track progress, and stay grounded.
“Writing helped me process my feelings and gave me a sense of purpose,” he explains.
Today, Marlesh is thriving. He’s not only caught up with his coursework, but he’s also become a mentor to fellow students facing addiction and mental health challenges. In his free time, he volunteers with local organizations that raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of seeking help early.
Marlesh’s journey from addiction to recovery is a powerful reminder that no challenge is insurmountable. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned,” Marlesh says, “it’s that you can always turn your life around. You just need to take that first step.”
His story continues to inspire those around him, proving that even in the darkest moments, there is always a path to sunshine.
