Episode 15 - When Faith Turns Toxic with Mardoche Yembi Leading Minds - Episode 15 - When Faith Turns Toxic with Mardoche Yembi Faith plays an important part in some people’s recovery however cultural taboos & misinterpreted religious theology can create an extraordinary set of mental & physical challenges that can seem impossible to overcome. Mardoche’s story gives us the hope that they can be overcome. Child abuse based on faith or belief, which includes witchcraft, spirit possession and black magic, increased from 1,460 cases in 2016 to 1,950 in 2019 and experts believe the real figure may be even higher due to a lack of awareness about the issue. Mardoche suffered horrendous mental and physical abuse from what were meant to be his care givers. After the death of his mother when he was 8 he was sent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to London, to live with his Aunt and Uncle. What followed was abuse at the hands of his extended family after they started to believe he was a “kindoki child”. Whilst still in primary school, Mardoche survived exorcisms , death threats, emotional abuse and isolation - all while coping with the loss of his mother and the separation from his father and siblings. After being accused of the death of his mother and suffering years of abuse from his care givers an 11 year old Mardoche spent nights riding the bus so he wouldn’t have to go home and came very close to ending it all and committing suicide if it wasn’t for a stroke of twisted luck. While his story is challenging to hear at times, it’s also one of hope, forgiveness and incredible strength in the face of some extraordinary circumstances. www.leading-minds.co.uk