Online Reporter
Sekai Manyere
Herald Reporter
Another Chance, in partnership with the Institute of Administration and Commerce (IAC), has donated drums, trees, bathing towels and soap to inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
Speaking at the event, Another Chance founder Vickie Maponga Mlilo said that God is omnipresent.
“There is no place where God cannot reach, whether you are in prison or you are outside,” she said.
Maponga Mlilo said she had donated the trees so inmates could plant them and eat fruit in the future.
“Let these trees be a sign of your life whenever you wake up in the morning and see these trees,” she said.
“Let these trees be a symbol of your life as you water them; let them be a sign of God in your life. As these trees grow, build a good relationship with your God.”
She said if the inmates can take care of the trees and nurture them, God can also nurture their lives.
“Sometimes I talk a lot about mental health, which is more important than anything else you may think of, and when you think God cannot rescue you from your situation, that is when He shows you his power,” she said.
She told the inmates that she was there to show them that God still has a purpose for them and their lives.
“I am not here to support the wrong things that you have done, but I am here to show that through our visit God still has purpose for you,” she said.
She urged the inmates not to lose hope while living behind bars because God still loves them.
“People who are outside may find it difficult to forgive you but God will always forgive you,” she said.
Ms Maponga Mlilo said no one knows about tomorrow except God.
“We do not know about tomorrow, but only God can know about the future, she said.
“I am not here because of the paper bags but to encourage you to have good relationship with God. Seek God first with all your heart and allow Him to take control of your life,” she said.
She quoted Isaiah 43 verse 19, ” Look, I am doing a new thing,” she said, adding that there is a time when God does not look at the past.
“Sometimes the new things come after you as an individual change the inner person that is in you,” she said.
“Don’t lose hope because you are behind bars and there is a reason why you are still here. God is still writing about your life. Never lose hope.”
Meanwhile, IAC marketing and public relations manager Mr Samson Nhubu said inmates should not allow prison to define them.
“You may be in jail, but the jail is not in you. It is important that, while we are here, we prepare our lives through learning. That’s why we are here. If you want any help we are here to help you as the Institute of Administration and Commerce,” he said.
He said inmates should help each other in terms of education.
“Let’s help each other in terms of education. We are not here to stay, so while we are here let’s prepare ourselves for life after we are released,” he said.
One of the inmates, Mr Dzingirai Chinyamujiko, said they were grateful for the visit and donations.
“We are grateful for the visit and donations that have been brought before us,” he said.
“It is important to know that there are people who are still remembering us no matter the crimes that we have committed, because only a few people can do that.”
