Arron Nyamayaro
A GROUP of women from the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe visited Chikurubi Female Prison to conduct a Sunday church service for inmates.
AFM president, Reverend Amon Madawo’s wife organised the group of women, who brought meat, beverages, fruits, sanitary wear, blankets, baby clothes, toiletries and a message of love from him.
The donations and message of love brought joy to the 230 inmates, who were able to receive blessings from the women and sing songs of worship.
The women also visited the inmates’ cells, providing food and listening to their concerns.
This visit followed one by the Catholic Sacred Heart of Roman Catholic Cathedral church.
“We have been sent by Rev Madawo and Amai with a message that ‘rugare ngaruve nemi, Mwari anokudai, hamuna kuraswa jeri rinopera’,” said one of the women.
A number of inmates, including Mai TT, gave personal testimonies on how they ended up behind bars.
One inmate, only identified as Irene, said she was doing time for theft.
“Ndakapinda mujeri nekuda kwekuba mari inoita US$17 000, asi pamari iyoyo ndakadya US$10 chete nekuti imwe yose ndakazoibirwawo nemukoma wababa vangu,” said Irene.
“Ndakaba ndikabirwa zvandakaba. I regret my criminal activities and I am now working for no pay in jail.
“Surely, crime does not pay.”
She added:
“It is my prayer that If I find favour before my Lord, I will use the skills we are learning in prison to open a business upon my release.
“Jail has transformed me and opened my eyes that I have developed a life of prayer and need the spirit to dwell in me.
“My relatives, including the one who benefitted from my crime, have never visited me and I am relying on worshipers from various denominations who visit and bring us groceries.”
The AFM women prayed for the inmates’ babies and had a meal with them.
Chikurubi Female Prison officer-in-charge, Superintendent Gloria Tamanikwa, hailed churches for remembering those in prison.
“I want to thank church leaders for bringing good news to our inmates,” said Supt Tamanikwa.
“Today we received prayers and goods from a group of Catholic Sacred Heart of Roman Catholic Cathedral church and AFM in Zimbabwe.
“This is commendable.
“You have come to water the dry soul, feed the hungry, shine on sorrowful faces and minister in a practical way to our inmates.
“Some of our inmates are members of various denominations and we are urging other church leaders to visit their members.
“As ZPCS, we cannot rehabilitate these inmates alone without the community. Some of these inmates are here becomes of crimes of passion, and we have innocent babies accompanying their mothers.
“Some were born in cells and this needs a corrective responsibility in addressing their issues.”