adminNgoni Dapira Post Correspondent
MUTARE’S leading private college, First Class Academy students on Tuesday donated groceries, toiletries and sanitary wear for female inmates to Mutare Remand and Mutare Farm Prisons worth over $1 200. The donation consisted of basics such as cooking oil, sugar, salt, kapenta fish, laundry soap, bath soap, tooth paste, washing powder, slippers and sanitary wear.
The philanthropic act was applauded by the administrator of the institution, Mr Stephen Chiwara, who said inculcating philanthropy was fundamental to moulding a holistic student and good citizen.
“As a school we always support our students’ identified charitable projects each year and we were intrigued when they decided they wanted to donate to prisoners this year.
“The spirit of giving should always be encouraged in our children, no matter how little,” said Mr Chiwara.
The school vice-head-boy, Tafadzwa Chinewaira, said they announced for donations in cash or kind to all the students at the school.
“Students and teachers donated several items and cash. The bulk of the cash to buy most of the food items was availed by the school administration,” said Chinewaira.
He said they chose prisons after reading in the newspapers about food challenges faced by prisoners.
One of the student co-ordinators, Blessing Musimwa, added that the lack of sanitary wear for female inmates was at one point late last year a topical issue which resulted in them playing their part as citizens of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services public relations officer for Manicaland region, Principal Prison Officer Liberty Mhlanga, said the initiative was imperative given the financial constraints faced by all organisations throughout the country.
He said ZPCS was facing acute challenges in providing sanitary wear for female inmates and fending for the special dietary needs of breastfeeding mothers.
“The sanitary wear problem for female inmates is there and has always been a challenge especially for those without supportive relatives or spouses.
“We are really grateful for the gesture by First Class Academy. We also have challenges with breastfeeding inmates who need special diets as well as their children,” said PPO Mhlanga.
He said female inmates who give birth while in prison could stay with their children until the age of four years, in the event there are no relatives to take the child.
ZPCS fends for the welfare of those children until the Department of Social Welfare takes them, which was very costly in most cases.
PPO Mhlanga said the fact that the initiative was steered by school children was a positive sign for the ZPCS in its community liaison efforts.
“We hope other schools and colleges in Manicaland and countrywide will learn from First Class Academy students.
“Our doors are open to well-wishers and we need your assistance to efficiently run and ensure the full rehabilitation of our inmates.
“As ZPCS, we believe prisons are in the community for the community. Prisoners are taken to prison as a punishment, but not to be punished, which is why we say our prisons are centres for correction not incarceration,” said PPO Mhlanga.
Mutare Remand Prison currently has 18 female inmates, but has the capacity for 30 female inmates and 370 inmates in general, while Mutare Farm Prison holds 400 inmates, males only.
Online Reporter