When Michelo met Walter Chuunga, he was carrying more than the weight of poverty. The young man was struggling with depression, shame, and a growing sense that his circumstances had left him with nowhere to turn. His economic situation had begun to affect the way he saw himself and his future.
Walter could see that Michelo was hurting . . . even when he tried to hide it.
Since graduating from African Christian College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Theology majoring in Counselling, Walter had learned that helping people begins with more than giving advice. His training taught him to listen carefully, understand what lies beneath a person’s struggles, and walk with them toward healing.
So when Michelo began withdrawing and making excuses, Walter did not rush to tell him what to do.
“I sat with him. I listened to him. At African Christian College, I was taught to be there first and fix things later.”
As Michelo opened up, Walter began to understand how deeply his circumstances had affected him. Michelo felt trapped and hopeless. He could not see a way forward and had begun losing his sense of worth.
Walter knew that simply telling him to be strong would not be enough. Drawing on his counselling training, he helped Michelo identify a practical path toward safety and a healthier future. But Walter also understood an important lesson from his training: helping someone does not mean taking control of their life.
“I had to fight my own urge to take control. African Christian College taught me that real help is not control.”
Instead, Walter stayed beside Michelo. He reminded him that he was not alone and that he had the strength to make his own choices. Walter opened doors, provided support and remained present through the most difficult moments, but the decision ultimately belonged to Michelo.
“I didn’t save him. Jesus Christ did. I simply had the honour of being there to watch Jesus do it.”
Walter Chuunga, ACC Graduate.
Eventually, Michelo made the brave choice to leave the situation that had been weighing him down.
For Walter, the experience became a reminder of both the limits and the purpose of his role as a counsellor. He could listen. He could guide. He could walk beside someone through their darkest moments. But he could not take the place of God.
“The Bible says, ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed’ [Psalm 34:18]. I saw this come true.”
Today, Walter looks back on Michelo’s story with gratitude. He stayed steady, opened doors, and walked alongside a young man who had lost hope. But he believes the deeper transformation came from Jesus Christ.
“I didn’t save him. Jesus Christ did. I simply had the honour of being there to watch Jesus do it.”
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