Monday, August 19, 2013

Day 5: Gulu Prison

Sunday, August 18, 2013  

Across the street from our lodging at St. Monica's School, Gulu Prison houses about 1000 prisoners.  Only a third have actually been convicted; the rest are still awaiting trial, some longer than two years. APF donated mattresses and other supplies last year, and was invited back again this year to visit (thanks to some help from Sister Asunta).  We expected to deliver soap to the men, and kits and toiletries for the women.  But what a surprise was in store for us!  Nearly all the prisoners were assembled in the yard in the afternoon sun, while we sat under the veranda as honored guests.  The prisoners treated us to music using handmade instruments, theatre dramas, and games.  The second band performed a rousing piece with a Caribbean feel, and we simply couldn't stay in our seats!  Later we had the chance to purchase some  of the handicrafts made on site.  Frederick told us later that the prisoners wanted us to know that they appreciated being approached as fellow brothers and sisters.  Gulu prison rarely receives visitors at all...we were so privileged to be treated to such a performance.

"One Good Thing":

Stacey - Meeting the Young Women at church and recording them on video reciting the Young Women's theme. And hearing Jess give a prayer in church with her new Ugandan accent.  

Becca - Going to church outside with roosters and birds in the background, and then singing "How Firm a Foundation" and "Hark All Ye Nations."  

Ali - Wandering around the market and meeting Isaac, a shop owner who took us under his wing, showed us the market and gave us his phone number in case we got lost.

Sophie - Riding a boda boda for the first time.  

Jen - Seeing the way Suzy got up and talked in front of all one thousand prisoners and then sat down amongst them in the dirt in her white skirt.  

Jess - Playing the "sign game" with a group of prisoners in front of the entire group of prisoners for their entertainent.  

Kiera - Jumping up to dance and play with the prisoners in the "bear and lumber jack" game.  

Shantell - The two musical performances by the prison ensembes with their unique African instruments and their singing. "I've never been so happy as when I watched them perform."  

Brinlee - Getting the courage to go out in front of the crowd and dance with my mom.  

Becca - Listening to the music perfomances and watching the man without teeth in the front row smile up at us the entire time.  

Frederick - "The fun, happiness and dancing we all experienced together. Sharing a good moment can be better than sharing things or money."  

Melissa - Distributing the kits to the female prisoners. "Before that I was tired and ready to leave [the prison], but once I got with the women, I could have stayed forever."  

Suzie - When Melissa gave out the menstrual kits to the female prisoners and said, "I made these with my own hands," especially because I know how hard she worked to get here.  

Holda - Giving one of my daughter's toys to Daisy, one of the female prisoners. Then the guard came over and Daisy looked nervous, but then the gaurd said, "I'm just happy to see you talking togther like friends."  

Leah - Receiving the gratitude and appreciation of the female prisoners when they said, "Go back and know that the women of Gulu of love you."

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