By Mabvuto Kalawa, Correspondent – Malawi Freedom Network
There was singing, dancing, and ululation as female inmates at Kachere Prison received various donated items from the Catholic Women Association (CWA) under the Lilongwe Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.
Speaking during the event, Chairlady of the Association, Mrs. Luwiza Kamwaza, encouraged the inmates not to lose heart, reminding them that God is always with them.
She told the women that being in prison does not mean the end of life, urging them to continue praying with faith and hope for freedom.
Mrs. Kamwaza emphasized that some inmates find themselves imprisoned for crimes they never committed, noting that some are victims of false accusations.
She recalled the biblical story of Joseph, who was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, encouraging the inmates to remain prayerful and steadfast because their time for freedom will come.
During the ceremony, the Gospel reading was taken from the Book of Matthew 7:24–27, which speaks about the wise man and the foolish man who built their houses on the rock and on sand, respectively.
In her sermon, Mrs. Lilian Gambi, Chairlady of the Liturgy Committee, encouraged the inmates to be like the wise man in the scripture and build their faith on a firm spiritual foundation that cannot be shaken.
She concluded by thanking the prison authorities for allowing CWA members to visit and support the inmates.
In his remarks, the Chaplain of Kachere Prison expressed gratitude to the Catholic women for the timely gesture, saying inmates face many challenges, including shortages of basic necessities such as food.
He added that what the women had done reflects the biblical teaching: “I was in prison and you visited me.”
The Chaplain further appealed to the CWA to consider donating rosaries, liturgical calendars, holy books, and Catholic doctrine materials in the future to help inmates strengthen their faith and reduce anxiety.
He noted that one of the biggest challenges ex-inmates face is stigmatization when they rejoin communities and urged the public to welcome them as reformed individuals.
The donated items included cartons of soap, bags of soya pieces, salt, sugar, sanitary pads, and other necessities.
According to the association, the items were purchased using members’ contributions and amounted to approximately K2 million.
Women from six deaneries under the Lilongwe Archdiocese attended the charity event.
The donation took place during the Advent season, a period in which the Catholic Church prepares for the birth of Jesus Christ, and it aligns with the Association’s pillar of charity inspired by the Virgin Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth.
A total of 120 women from various deaneries participated in the function.
The opening and closing prayers were led by Mrs. Patricia Chithope.
