Stanley Chirimbani

THERE is famous quote that says, “Money is not the only commodity that is fun to give. We can give time, we can give our expertise and we can give our love or simply give a smile.” This is the exact heartwarming kindness which was spread-out by renowned Mutare based United Methodist Church (UMC) pastor, Reverend Togara Bobo when they donated essential goods to inmates at Chipinge Prison recently.

This generous gesture is not new to Rev Bobo, who is a pastor at UMC St Peter’s Inner-city in Mutare. For the past four years he has been tirelessly raising funds through the church and donating to the needy, regardless of their denominational background. The donations raised through the UMC church for the vulnerable in society have also not left out inmates serving time in prison for rehabilitation to reform from their criminal ways.

Acting officer in charge Chipinge Prison Chief Correctional Officer Richard Mlambo (with cap)with his staff members and inmates receiving the donation.

The donation which included soaps, toothpaste and tooth brushes, slippers, towels, sanitary pads and underwear for both men and women were valued at $US2917. There were also tools like picks and mattocks that were donated.

Chipinge Prison currently has 596 male inmates and 26 female inmates.

Inmates celebrating the donated tools and other kitchen items.

For many of the inmates, this act of kindness restored their human dignity and provided hope for a better future in their rehabilitation process.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Manicaland provincial spokesperson Chief Correctional Officer Liberty Mhlanga thanked Rev Bobo and the UMC for their continued commitment towards assisting Manicaland prisons to effectively deliver the rehabilitation of inmates. He admitted that the country’s prisons face a lot of challenges in providing adequately for inmates, citing food shortages and insufficient financial resources as the major concerns.

“This donation means a lot.  As ZPCS we are providing a crucial service to Zimbabwe and this service focuses on rehabilitating inmates rather than incarceration. That is the only way we can protect society in the long term. If inmates come out reformed it means less crimes and more productive, law abiding citizens. So concurrently, if the community helps us by remembering the inmates’ welfare, this enhances our efforts towards rehabilitation,” said CCO Mhlanga.

Adding, “As an organization we cannot do much but with support from the community, especially on the issue of reintegration of inmates, we will be able to combat the serious challenge of reoffending. From such activities of donations, we are guaranteed that our inmates are capable of being reintegrated into the society,” he said.

CCO Mhlanga added that the community must take a leaf from Rev Bobo and the UMC. He said since 2023 Rev Bobo committed to providing inmates in all the Manicaland prisons with quarter chicken and rice lunch hampers every Christmas Day. He said this has been going on consistently and applauded such an act of kindness.

Manicaland has seven prisons namely, Mutare Remand Prison, Mutare Farm Prison, Chipinge Prison, Little Kraaal Prison in Nyazura, Rusape Prison, Murambinda Prison and Nyanga Prison.

Rev Bobo at the female inmates ward.

Rev Bobo said the charity work highlights UMC’s commitment to community development and social justice. He added that by supporting vulnerable populations, the church demonstrates its role as a caring and compassionate institution.

“Whenever I think of you, I see you as part of my family. As tomorrow comes, strive for a better life and a brighter future. Even though my office has changed, I want to assure you that I will never forget you and I will continue assisting you in the best way I can,” said Rev Bobo.

For inmates, like Howard Dungure who is serving five (5) years for robbery, he said the donation has brought immense relief to them.

‘‘This gesture has restored our human dignity. Since 2021 when I was sentenced to this prison, Rev Bobo has been visiting the prisons twice a year during the Easter and Christmas holidays. He helps us with a lot of things we cannot afford. There are some things we are lacking whilst in prison like toiletries and cooking oil for us to also eat well-nourished meals. But we know for certain that whenever he visits at least some of our problems are solved,” said Dungure who is expecting to complete his sentence early next year.

Dungure highlighted that Rev Bobo has been a regular feature at Chipinge Prison. He however appealed for the man of God to help avail funds for income generating projects for the inmates, especially when they are released from prison.

“Regardless of our different religious affiliation he has no problem with us and we have no problem with him preaching to us and the donations he brings to help us. However, our appeal to the man of God is to avail funds for income generating projects for inmates after serving their sentences, so that upon our release we may have something to sustain our livelihoods and not re-offend or go back to the criminal life. He has helped us as inmates, in many ways I cannot explain. He has restored hope in us and his continued visits behind the prison walls are a statement that society has forgiven us truthful reformers,” added Dungure.

On another note, the ZPCS Family Week started today (Monday) running until Friday. CCO Mhlanga urged family and friends to visit their loved ones in prison from 9am to 3pm every day. He said the Family Week is important in the rehabilitation of inmates as the visits by friends and family psychologically gives them a reason to fight for whilst serving their sentences.

As Zimbabwe continues to face socio-economic challenges, initiatives like Rev Bobo’s serve as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of kindness by the community.