17/01/2022
13 January 2022 Visited Harare Central Prison and we were escorted by Officer Commanding Harare Province and his entourage. Prophet Gumbo ministered the word of God with emphasis on change and following the word of God to live a better life.
Below we have a letter from the Ruwa Junior Council:
Good afternoon
So yesterday the 13th of January we went to Harare Central prison where we as Ruwa Junior Council in partnership with Rose of Sharon were donating a cow to the prisoners.
In attendance was His Worship Takunda Gumbo, Alderman Christopher Patsika, Alderman Melissa Ndowa, Honorable Lizzy Mtakiwa (on behalf of Junior Town Secretary) and Prophet Gumbo
There was Commissioner Marange who came on behalf of Commissioner General C. N Chihobvu and he told us that the prison currently is facing challenges in terms of relish for the prisoners so he noted that in the future whatever donation that we might have we are free to donate to them.
His Worship gave his remarks and told them that in between advocating for the youths rights we also advocate for the rights of those that are in prison for one day they too shall be released outside of prison so that they may be part of the society
We had the opportunity to interact with a few inmates and prophet Gumbo gave them the word "life is full of options and a person chooses what he/she wants hence one has to choose wisely "
One of the inmates expressed gratitude towards the kind gesture extended to them on behalf of other inmates
Mr Gomo thanked the Council and Rose of Sharon for the donation and he also gave us a prayer
Kitchen tour
The challenge that they are facing as a prison is that of cooking appliances. Currently they have one working electric cooking pot due to lack of electric elements for the other pots.
Besides the electric stove they are using, they are now mostly being depended on firewood for cooking of which it is not sufficient since there is now lack of firewood where they used to get it from (Mazoe)
Prison school tour
There is grade 1 to grade 7 and form 1 to form 6.
We had the opportunity to meet up with the teachers and we were also briefed on the universities that they partner up with (ZOU etc)
Challenges
1.lack of stationery( writing books and pens) especially new curriculum textbooks and they currently use the old curriculum books
2.for all inmates that attend school, the prison has only 1 computer that the inmates use when doing their research so the teachers find it best to make use of soft copies to accommodate all learners
3.the inmates are expected to pay exam fees when they want to write their final examinations
4.there are no practical facilities (labs) so the prisoners do not do subjects like combined science and computers
4.theres shortage of
learning blocks ( grade 1 up to form 6 learn in the same place with just divisions separating them)
5.shortage of chalkboards
6.their library has outdated books
We departed safely.
On behalf of Junior Parliament and Council we'd like to thank our Alderman Christopher and Mellisa for being our mentors and pillars, we'd also like to thank Prophet Gumbo for his outstanding Word that could notably be seen making a huge impact on the faces of the inmates. Lastly we'd also love to thank Rose of Sharon for their profound support for our Programs.
Compiled by Honorable Junior Councillor Lizzy Mtakiwa.
As Healing Power International Church we're calling upon all willing partners who can sponsor our initiative to support the vision of the Man Of God to give prisoners a better life. Be it in the form of clothing, food, cosmetics, stationery or on kind. Feel free to WhatsApp +263 715 418 660 or call +263 782 477 930
