Redemption

Redemption

Haitian prisons are not like what we are familiar with in the U.S.  Often there are dozens of men crammed into a tiny cell with no where to sit or even lie down.  They do not receive food or other basic essentials unless someone in their family brings it to them.  Because so many are poor, it is too much of a burden for their families and they are abandoned, leaving them with no hope.  Many die before ever receiving a trial.

Over a year ago Shelley was approached by a UN officer who was working in one of the newer prisons and asked her to help improve the lives of prisoners in Haiti.  He wanted them to do some job skills development with a handful of prisoners to give them a little money, some hope, and some dignity.

She gained permission to go in with a few of her employees and train them in rolling the cereal box beads.  Chavanne Timil, (in yellow) is the manager of the Prison Program for Shelley.  He is in and out of the prison several days a week.  He brings them the already cut cereal box strips, the sticks to roll them on and the glue.  He makes sure that everything is being made to AP standards and when they have finished their work, he brings back the rolled beads so they can be varnished at AP.

Chavanne, Marilyn and I outside the prison.

 

 Chavanne with one of the bead rollers.

After a year and a half, they have 70 prisoners in the program and we were able to pay them a visit when I was there in March.  This was an extra special treat because it takes a lot of coordination and effort to be able to go in.  Especially since Shelley was bringing two extra people.  I will have to say that I was both nervous and excited as I did not know what to expect.

After walking through several check points and down quite a few hallways, we climbed a set of stairs to a large room where the men were already working away.  They spend 23 hours a day in their cells and can roll beads there but they are allowed an hour to come and work together in this room.

These particular men were chosen to be in the program because most all have life sentences.  And all of them have been abandoned by their families.

This means no one is helping them.  They have no one bringing them the things they need and no money to buy them.  The bead program allows them to earn money and they are so very grateful for the work!

It was so fun walking around and seeing the awesome job they do on the beads.  They were just beautiful.  I learned that a large percentage of these beads are used for our fundraiser bracelets!

 I fought back the tears as this man stood before Shelley and thanked her over and over again for the opportunity to work.  He spoke English and was speaking for all of the prisoners when he said, “Thank you so much for this work!  You don’t know what this means to all of us.  It allows us to buy toothpaste, soap, food and other necessary items.  We are just so thankful and we do not want it to end.”  Shelley let him know that the only way that she would stop the program was if the government made her stop.

 

 This is another young man serving a life sentence.
Marilyn made her way around the room to personally thank each of the men for their work.
I knew for several days that I would be visiting here during my visit.  I was so worried that I would be overwhelmed by the circumstances of these men.  Worried that I would become one big emotional puddle.
I worried about that the very first time I visited Haiti – 3 years ago.  I remember walking through Clarvil (the community behind the artisan house) for the first time and being pleasantly surprised by the hope and the dignity I saw there.  They had jobs – they were proud that they could provide for themselves.
I saw that same hope in the prison.  I wasn’t fearful or overwhelmed with sadness.  I was overwhelmed by the dignity.  The hope.  The gratefulness that was in that room.
Shelley got their attention and publicly thanked them for all of their hard work and let them know that they were doing a great job.  As she turned to leave, the men stood up and were clapping for her.
It is an overwhelmingly joyful thing to be a part of this redemption.  God is truly at work in this place and lives are changing!

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Marilyn Monaghan

Marilyn Monaghan

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Chaos & oppression in Haiti block opportunities for the poor.

Apparent Project offers the quality education & job skills training needed to help the poor rise up out of poverty and become future leaders of integrity in Haiti.

Psalm 2:8 “Ask of ME, and I will give you the Nations for Your Inheritance…”

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