NBI Zimbabwe has for some years been running a vibrant prison ministry regardless of the challenges encountered to run the ministry. Some of the challenges emanate from the fact that, Prison Ministry heavily relies on 100% donor funding or sponsorship to enable the inmates to transform. Since this work is in partnership with the prison services of Zimbabwe, it is also a vital tool which helps rehabilitate the offenders for correctional purposes.
The programme continues to strive through the support of CAVA/NBI partners who are but not many, to make sure that this ministry and programme gives an opportunity to those imprisoned to have a chance to learn and be developed as they serve their sentences as part their rehabilitation process. This will help them to become better people whom God can use as agents of transformation within the prison doors and even outside when they complete their prison terms.
NBI through its partners serves 10 prisons out of 46 within Zimbabwe of which one of the two female prisons is being served. The total number of inmates in all the prisons is about 23000 of which only 120 inmates get the opportunity to be developed and to learn through NBI programme as part of their rehabilitation process. These are Chinhoyi Prison, Chikurubi Maximum, Chikurubi Farm, Chikurubi Female, Whawha Prison, Bindura, Marondera, Rusape, Mutare Farm and Guruve Prison. This means we have a long way to go in terms of training a significant number within the prison walls so that those inside can also be transformed and in turn transform others. NBI therefore continue praying for more resources to further reach-out to the inmates through this key rehab plan.
There are positive testimonies that NBI can share of the goodness of this Prison Ministry Programme in that we have witnessed a number of graduates whose lives got transformed and are being helpful in different communities. Some of the former inmates have reintegrated well back into society and are serving in different capacities whilst some have been employed by reputable organizations. Just to highlight that 2 of the students who were former inmates have been ordained within their congregations whilst another serves as an Elder and the other was ordained Bishop in Harare in December 2023.
It is our joy and reason for an appeal that those who are compelled to support prison ministry should get in touch with CAVA/NBI for any support especially with some resources to meet the cost of printing NBI learning material as well as travel costs and graduation ceremonies for inmates. Should there be a desire to help with other needed resources that may help inmates, do so in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our call is for all those called to place a hand in this ministration, to at least sponsor an inmate per year to be able to do the NBI Programme.