Key person: Jacqueline Atido
This partnership only began early in 2019 so has been going less than six months although the people have been going to the prison for longer than that. Since the funding commenced it has made a great difference to the inmates. Just being able to take a few extras makes a huge difference for them.
I visited the prison with Jacqueline and Noe for the morning on the 18th June. George came with us, it was his first time in prison. We visited the chief of the prison, then the women’s prison and then the young men, all under 20 I imagine. We took a box of soap for each group and left them dividing it up between themselves.
I was actually reasonably impressed with the women’s area. It is tidy and has been recently renovated somewhat. For many of them it would be better than the places they come from. It is disturbing to see all the little children there though. However, it’s a really interesting community of people and they all get on well together, or so they say.
The facility the young men are housed in is pretty appalling. Their sleeping conditions especially are in dire need of renovation. 41 young men sleep on two flat wooden platforms in a room that is 3.5 metres by about 8 meters. It’s dark and filthy.
This prison was built for 400 prisoners but according to the chief there are currently 1,200 prisoners. The women and young men only make up about 100 of the total. We were not allowed in the men's part and according to the team it is a terrible place, one can only imagine. However, the UN are monitoring it and some renovations are taking place.
The primary focus is the women, however, the young men are a vulnerable group too and Noe likes to assist them as well.
We did not have the opportunity to interview any of the women during this visit but the project write up contains some of their stories.
Noe (Noah) was a student at Shalom University Bunia (USB.) He did one year of study but unfortunately did not have the resources to continue. While at USB he visited the prison and fell in love with the ministry. He goes regularly with Jacqueline and I think it is now the other way around as he is referred to as the prison pastor now. He seems to have found his niche and the people really like him.
Jacqueline is finishing her ministry diploma and writing a small thesis based on this ministry. It will be available in the near future.
The prison chief spoke very positively about the work that Rehema is doing in the prison. They are the only group that keeps coming back week after week and that gets alongside the prisoners. The place has become more peaceful since they began coming more regularly.
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In the past, students from USB would go and visit but no one really made it their thing so it fizzled. Also, they only went to preach to the people and did not help their physical and social needs so it wasn’t a great experience or ministry. This time it is very different. Everytime they go they are welcomed with cheers, singing and dancing.
The major challenge is the internal fighting that is going on around this whole Ituri Province. It is seriously affecting the lives of people and creating an environment of lawlessness.
There have been a few cases of Ebola in Bunia and this is particularly an issue for a prison. If something like that were to break out it could be carnage because people live so close to each other.
The conditions the young men have to live in.
1) That the programme is being received well and that the women especially are helped by the visits.
2) That they will be able to develop a stronger relationship with the prison leadership and that the trust will continue to grow.
3) They want to be able to assist those who are leaving prison to reconnect outside with their families. This is difficult at the moment as all the surrounding areas are affected by the troubles.
4) That many of these people would connect to churches on their return home. The team works to do this but it is not always easy or even possible. Many become believers while in prison.
I think this has started really well. The team is very focused and I would like to see it continue for the foreseeable future. These people, the women and the young men, grow up in a dysfunctional, abusive, violent society and often their crimes are those of survival and very difficult circumstances. They need all the help they can get to rehabilitate. This is a very practical way to show the love of Christ and give them new beginnings as they leave. Most also suffer from depression and the encouragement they regularly receive is very important for their mental health. The prisons provide no counselling or rehabilitation assistance.