Last Few Days
Sleeping space for the contruction workers at the prison farm
Tomorrow we plan to visit the prison farm once again, where we are starting construction of a building to house 40 prisoners to work the land. Hanitra is anxious that Maoly will contract malaria while sleeping in the open at times during the 4-6 weeks it will take to finish the project, so we’re trying to put together a first aid kit. I gave him my yoga mat to sleep on and an extra battery pack for his phone; Hanitra is busy purchasing what she can find for “camping supplies.”
It is rainy season now. The bridge is still out from the cyclone that angrily passed by two weeks ago which means one can only cross the river by dugout canoe.
Maoly is purchasing and arranging delivery for sacks of cement and other building supplies to the prison farm daily, loading the materials onto the canoe and arranging a pick up on the other side. Yesterday the vehicle didn’t come and he had to walk 10 miles to the farm and back to continue organizing inventory. He arrived at our hotel at dusk, all smiles. For Maoly, it is a big adventure.
When it rains, not only is the bridge out, but the roads flood and become impassable. If he happens to be working at the farm, he is stuck there until the weather calms down and waters recede.When that happens, he’ll sleep in a thatched roof hut with the rest of the construction team. It is a hardship posting but Maoly is taking it in stride.
Francel’s wife is 6 months pregnant so we all hope that the pregnancy continues to go smoothly without him present. He is happy for the contractor work as many months of the year, he is jobless.
As you might be aware, EMM/RCA does not hand out construction money to projects without an outside watchdog system in place to keep track of inventory, unlike other organizations. To do otherwise is irresponsible and invites corruption. Fancy audits might be squeeky clean, but the actual bills crooked. Maoly has an M.A. in business management and oversaw the construction of Hanitra and Elson’s two hospitals. He is in his element right now.
We had a hard time saying goodbye to the prison kids. One day we brought games as a parting gift. Another day we brought oranges. The very last day we called the kids who had been in and out of prison multiple times to express our love and care for them, stressing that prison is no place to grow up. Twenty percent of kids who leave get into trouble and return - having no place to call home except prison. We warned them that once they turn 18, they would be transferred to the men’s ward where rape is not uncommon and living conditions unimaginable.
They nodded. These kids desperately need follow-up upon release. At present there is no support or follow-up system for them. It is all too sad.
Thank you to Deanna’s Cultural Connection group for donating all of the games and puzzles. There are more than I have showcased here.
We visited the women’s ward and they are actually using the pasta making machines to make moringa pasta, following up on our class. That was fun to hear.
https://www.zazatany.org/blog-2-1/pasta-making-class
After chambers 3,4,5,6 are renovated with wind turbines installed, inside rooms painted, some rusty doors replaced, and roof repaired, the only thing left for basic renovation is the women’s quarters. The courtyard is completely infested by huge rats, the size of newborn kittens, scurrying around with small children afoot. We want to cement in the courtyard, fill in the holes, and create a drainage system. After that, we can start on other projects such as skills training.
We do need your financial support. Small amounts add up. I am not a fund-raising type of person, as I feel hesitant to ask for money. It is my Norwegian upbringing maybe. But in this case, I have the opportunity to speak in behalf of those who are deeply suffering when they have no voice themselves. I am their voice. If you have a piggy bank, please consider helping these folks. Thank you so much.
