SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST’S MISSION TO HEAL SEYCHELLES’ ADDICTED YOUTH.

In the sun-soaked paradise of Seychelles, a battle rages against an invisible enemy—heroin addiction. While the world knows this idyllic archipelago for its pristine beaches and vibrant tourism, a darker reality haunts its streets, where nearly 10% of the youth population struggles with addiction. Through the lens of compassion and resilience, Soldiers for Christ, a grassroots movement founded by Andrine Bacco, works tirelessly to restore hope.

It is around noon on the bustling streets of Nairobi. Hawkers parade their goods by the alleys, and the traffic seems never-ending, no matter the time of day. Notably, there are many young photographers on almost every street I walk through. I love them though; the vibrant, talented youth who choose to make a living through digital photography rather than getting caught up in crime or depending heavily on their parents.

I’m walking towards a certain restaurant near Kenya Cinema, where I am set to meet Andrine. My phone rings and it’s her. Panic sets in momentarily, thinking I might be late. “I’m here, I’m here,” I blurt out when I pick up.

“I’m sorry, I think I’m lost,” she admits, flustered. It is a common situation here in Nairobi—I get lost all the time myself. I try to describe the street I’m on, pointing out a few buildings in sight, but to my surprise, she knows the area better than I do. After a few quick directions, we finally meet and head to the restaurant together.

After ordering an ice-cold milkshake—exactly what we need to soothe our throats from the hot, sunny day—our conversation begins.

“I just arrived a few days ago from Seychelles,” she tells me. I can tell from the black T-shirt she’s wearing, emblazoned with the words ‘Solda pou Kris’, Kreol for Soldiers for Christ (Kreol is one of the national languages widely spoken by people in the Seychelles).

“It’s been three years since I was last there, and this time, it felt different. It was just me, no kids around, meaning I could do things without distractions. With my team, we managed to carry out several outreaches. I was so happy that my brother joined us in one of them, and we groomed him too. He looked presentable after the shave … look at us in this picture I took,” she says, handing me her phone.

The Woman Behind Soldiers 4 Christ

Andrine Bacco is a 36-year-old mother of three, with deep roots in Seychelles where she spent much of her childhood, though she was born in Kenya. With a Seychellois father and a Kenyan mother, she is the second born in a family of three. Bubbly, soft-spoken, and always wearing a smile, Andrine is someone who immediately captures attention. Her thick, natural dreadlocks complement her warm demeanour. We have met only a few times, but I never tire of admiring the tiny tattoos scattered across her hands. One in particular stands out—the word ‘L.O.V.E’, etched across her right hand, spelling out across her fingers from the second to the index. It’s a simple yet profound message.

Andrine founded Soldiers 4 Christ (S4C) in 2006. It’s a youth group that brings together young individuals to preach hope without judgment in Seychelles. The country is grappling with a high rate of drug addiction, particularly heroin. Her passion for this work stems from a deeply personal place.

“My dad was an addict,” she says, her voice soft but laden with emotion. “It was not easy watching him, seeing how he would react to us, especially to our mum. We were exposed to heroin at a young age, and it breaks my heart that my brother fell into the same trap.” Her words grow heavier as she continues, the pain of the memories evident in her expression. “His struggle with addiction took a toll on me. He’s been a convict, too—spent years in prison.”

Adrine’s life was further turned upside down when she lost her parents within a short time. The weight of sudden loss thrust her into a role far beyond her years, forcing her to become a parent to her younger sister and her brother’s children while still so young herself. At the time, her brother was in prison. This experience not only shaped her into the strong, resilient woman she is today but also fueled her determination to help others facing similar challenges.

Paradise and Its Hidden Scars

Seychelles, often described as a paradise on Earth, is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. An archipelago of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, it boasts powdery white beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush tropical greenery. Its idyllic landscapes attract tourists from all over the world, making tourism one of the nation’s primary economic pillars, alongside fishing. However, behind the postcard-perfect beauty lies a darker reality. Tourism, while vital to the economy, has also contributed to some of the country’s social challenges, including the spread of drug addiction. The influx of visitors, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, brought with it a rise in the availability and consumption of heroin, turning a once-untouched paradise into a hotspot for addiction.

“The drug situation is appalling. At this point, per capita, as far as the consumption of heroin is concerned, Seychelles is number one in the world,” remarked President Wavel Ramkalawan a year ago. “And this is not a statistic that gives me any personal pride. Roughly ten percent of our youth population are addicted to it.” These sobering words highlight the immense challenge Seychelles faces, where the same oceans that bring tourists also carry a dangerous trade that has devastated a generation. For Andrine, this tragic reality strikes close to home, fueling her mission to bring hope to the youth caught in the grip of addiction through her Soldiers for Christ program.

With Andrine in Kenya, the program continues to impact communities in Seychelles, even in her absence. One of the leaders carrying the mantle is Johnny Volcere, a 34-year-old father of one, renowned dancer, and founder of Paradise Media. Johnny takes me through his journey of growing up in Seychelles and how their ghetto outreach program has empowered marginalized communities.

“Growing up in Seychelles was like growing up in paradise,” he begins. From a young age, he was fascinated by dance, and in 2006, he found his place in Soldiers for Christ—a group that welcomed young people looking for hope and solace in a country deeply affected by societal challenges. “It was a great group where young people came together to encourage each other. All Christians from different denominations were welcome. All we did was find solace in Bible verses amidst the many challenges we were facing,” Johnny explains. His passion for hip-hop dance led him to join Soldiers for Christ when they started running a hip-hop battle. Since then, he has remained an integral part of the movement.

Ghetto Outreach Program

Around 2013, as members grew older and assumed various responsibilities, including some travelling abroad, the group’s activities slowed down. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there was a noticeable surge in addiction rates. Recognizing the growing crisis, Johnny and his team decided to revive Soldiers for Christ, this time with a renewed focus on ghetto outreach programs aimed at helping those most vulnerable in their society. “The pandemic worsened an already bad drug situation, and we knew we had to step up. We couldn’t let our youth be consumed by addiction,” Johnny shares, his passion evident.

“What we do with the outreach is usually simple but impactful,” he explains. “We seek funding and then organize visits to various neighbourhoods in each district where substance addiction is prevalent. It’s not easy to access such areas, but we’re lucky to have people in our group with celebrity influence, like my brother, who is a famous rapper. That opens doors for us.”

Once access is granted, the team starts planning their outreach day. “We gather the essentials—items like towels, shaving machines, lotions, and whatever else we need. We identify a spot with a power supply, set up a tent, and prepare ourselves. Many of the people struggling with addiction are unkempt, homeless, and hopeless. Just looking at them breaks your heart, and for us, the main goal is to restore hope in their lives,” he narrates with a heavy tone.

The process begins with taking their photos as they are when the team first arrives—capturing their worn-out appearances. “Then we start grooming them. We give them fresh haircuts, sometimes offer clean clothes, and make them look presentable. Once we’ve done that, we take another picture.” These before-and-after photos are shown to them. “We ask them to compare the two images and reflect on who they believe they truly are and who they would love to be.”

For Johnny and his team, it’s more than just a physical transformation. “This exercise isn’t just about looks. It’s about showing them that they can always return to the person they once were before addiction took over their lives,” he says. “It’s always a very emotional session. Many say, ‘It’s difficult to quit addiction,’ but you can see it in their eyes—they want to try. That small gesture of kindness opens their minds and gives them the will to start the journey back to who they used to be.”

Dreaming of Change

With each district Johnny and his team visit, he inevitably encounters familiar faces. “Seychelles is very small; it has a population of about 90,000 people,” he says. In such a close-knit community, it’s no surprise that on nearly every outreach, Johnny meets two or three people he knows. But one particular incident during an outreach left a lasting mark on him.

“There’s one district we visited where I was shocked to find an old man who used to be my traditional dance tutor,” he recalls, his voice filled with sorrow. “He taught me so much. He’s the one who made me travel to different parts of the world, which built my fame and career. Seeing him later as an addict, broken and hopeless, really crushed me.” This was a man who once shaped his path, only to fall victim to the same addiction that has ravaged so many lives in Seychelles.

The reality of addiction in Seychelles is overwhelming, and as a father, Johnny admits that it frightens him to raise his child in such an environment. “It scares me, raising my daughter here,” he says. “But I have hope that with proper parenting, she’ll be able to discern between right and wrong, even when I’m not around.” His optimism for his daughter’s future reflects the faith he places in her upbringing, though the challenges are ever-present.

Johnny considers himself lucky to have grown up without falling into the same pit of addiction that many around him did. His journey with Soldiers for Christ and his achievements through dance have kept him on a different path, filled with purpose and a desire to give back to his community.

From the numerous outreaches they’ve conducted, Johnny and his team make it a point to take down contact details and keep in touch with the addicts, making efforts to follow up and support them on their journey. “We boast of a few individuals who’ve managed to stop using,” he says, though he acknowledges that recovery is a long and difficult process. Even small victories mean a lot in a country grappling with such a pervasive problem.

“It’s sad that in Seychelles, we have this big problem, but we don’t have rehabilitation facilities—not one!” Johnny says, the frustration evident in his voice. “All we can do is try, with our small efforts, to save those few who feel the impact of our outreach.” Their work is significant, yet the absence of structured rehabilitation centres highlights the daunting challenge they face in trying to combat addiction.

As we wind up our interview, Johnny reflects on his hopes for the future. “I wish to see growth in our program. I’d love to see addicts changing and joining us, becoming part of something bigger—a movement for change,” he shares. His wish is not just to save individuals, but to foster a cycle where those once lost to addiction return to uplift others. “I want to see more hardworking people in my country and fewer drug users,” he concludes, his words carrying hope for a brighter future for Seychelles.

Edited by Pius Okore.