A Life Forged in Recovery, Still Going Strong 

June – August 2025

Recovery Story: Enid and Joylis

"By age 5, she was drinking and smoking. By 7, she knew what it felt like to be drunk."

 

Some stories aren’t meant to be rushed — they need time to unfold, to reveal their depth. This article wasn’t late because of oversight; it was delayed because something remarkable was still happening.  

Back in July 2024, Enid and Joylis celebrated a powerful milestone at the 17th Finishers Award: 7 years of sobriety.  

But I chose to hold off on writing then — not because their story wasn’t ready, but because I felt it was still being written. 

I wanted to take the time to truly witness what recovery looked like for them beyond the applause of that moment. As a couple, they’ve weathered the hard days, celebrated the wins, and carved out a life built on honesty, healing, and hard-won peace. 

Today, their 7-year milestone deserves more than just a mention or acknowledgment.  It deserves celebration. 

And what a celebration it is. 

Recently, Enid and Joylis took a giant step toward stability and security — they’re on the verge of receiving the keys to their own home. For many, buying a house is a practical achievement. For these two women, it is a monumental symbol of transformation. It is proof that recovery works. That love heals. That growth is possible, even from the darkest of places. 

 

Enid’s Journey: Strength from the Storm 

Enid’s early life was filled with chaos. Raised in a cramped two-room flat with ten other people, including abusive relatives and addicted grandparents, her childhood was far from nurturing.  

By age 5, she was drinking and smoking. By 7, she knew what it felt like to be drunk. Her schooling years were marked by feelings of inferiority, pain, and isolation. After a violent beating by an uncle in secondary school, Enid ran away with only 10 cents in her pocket. 

Her life spiralled into crime, partying, and drug use - moving from cannabis to heroin. She tried to break the cycle at 23, working in a hair salon run by her then-girlfriend, but the environment was steeped in substance use. She relapsed quickly. The cycle continued, until something changed when she was thrown in prison the second time:  she reconnected with someone she had met in her using days - Joylis. 

 

Joylis’s Descent and Rise 

Joylis had a vibrant, unconventional childhood. Her father had four wives, and her extended family - nearly 80 strong - gathered often, creating warm memories of love and laughter.  

But at age 16, her older sister introduced her to heroin, setting off a decade-long struggle. Working in nightclubs where drugs were readily available, she quickly became addicted. 

Her health declined over the years, and eventually, she ended up in a wheelchair due to a hip injury caused by prolonged drug use. Trapped in a cycle of addiction and incarceration, Joylis hit rock bottom - but she also hit restart. Checking herself into a detox program at NAMS, she began her road to recovery.  

But it was at WE CARE that she found the structure, support, and family-like environment she needed. Most importantly, she found hope. 

 

A Love Rooted in Recovery 

Enid and Joylis used drugs together for ten years. Now, they’ve been clean together for almost eight years. Their love, once entangled in the chaos of addiction, has evolved into a source of healing and strength. They’ve built a relationship based on accountability, growth, and deep emotional honesty.  

At WE CARE, they are a beacon of hope.  

Enid now serves as a Recovery Guide, gently walking alongside others as they take their first, often shaky, steps toward sobriety. As a fellow Recovery Guide, I’ve always admired Enid - not just for her courage, but for her honesty and the way she treats everyone with simple, heartfelt decency. Every time she shares her story, no matter how many times I’ve heard it, it hits home. Her words are real, heartfelt, and always remind us that recovery is possible. 

Joylis, with her warm heart and open spirit, brings comfort to everyone around her. Whether she’s whipping up a meal for Cook-in Thursdays or lending a listening ear, she makes people feel seen and cared for. As a certified barista, she also loves making coffee for anyone at the centre - serving each cup with a generous dose of sass. 

Their presence at the centre reminds others that no one is alone, and that change is not just possible - it’s powerful. 

 

The Power of Home 

Perhaps the most emotional part of their journey today is confirming their first BTO flat in Marsiling.  

Home-ownership symbolizes far more than financial stability. For Enid and Joylis, it means safety, freedom and a future. Back when they were actively using, the idea of owning a home seemed laughable - an unattainable dream in the haze of addiction. But through recovery, they built lives they never thought they deserved. 

A home means waking up without fear. A kingdom of their own where joy is allowed to grow. It means permanence in a world that once felt constantly shifting. It’s a physical space that reflects their internal transformation. 

 

Inspiration for the WE CARE family 

Their story resonates deeply at WE CARE. Other recovering individuals see Enid and Joylis not as exceptions, but as possibilities. They prove that even with relapse, injury, family estrangement, and trauma, the recovery path is worth walking.  

They teach by example: by choosing vulnerability, by working the program, and by staying committed to themselves and each other. 

Their relationship, forged in the fire of addiction, tempered in the reality of recovery and thriving in the light of hope, gives others the courage to believe that they too can find peace, love and purpose. 

 

A Legacy of Perseverance 

Recovery is not linear. It’s messy, raw, and painful - but also beautiful. Enid and Joylis are proof that when we show up for ourselves and for each other, we can transform our lives in ways we never imagined. 

As they stand at the edge of a new chapter - key in hand, love in heart, and clarity in mind - their message is clear: 

"We are not what happened to us. We are what we choose to become." 

To anyone reading this who feels trapped in addiction - know this: You are never too far gone. You are never too late. And you are never alone. 

Let Enid and Joylis remind us all that with perseverance, love, and support—recovery isn’t just possible. It’s powerful.