It
is First and Foremost, A PRESENCE among them. To listen, to
let them tell their stories, to be with them in their suffering,
to share their powerlessness for advancing their court case,
to bear the uncertainty of the future with them… "
When will liberation take place? " is their perpetual
question. Very often we receive a lot more than we are able
to give.
They
have a great desire to LIVE, which they act out in sketches,
and express in song and dance, but especially in prayer.
Thanks to the presence of Sister Bernadette, also in detention,
the prison looks almost like a large convent, where everybody
prays with devotion. Three times a day, Bernadette gathers
the mothers and young girls and untiringly, animates the
prayer.
Devotion
to the Virgin Mary is very strong, as well as their worship
of the Blessed Sacrament, which they are able to do outside,
in a big tent prepared from old blankets and local 'pagnes'
(loincloths). Having sometimes attended this worship, we
have been struck by their deep recollection.
Inside
the prison, the Muslims also have their prayer corner, furnished
with carpets and all that is needed for their ablutions.
Their devotion is none the less fervent!
We
have been able to furnish a modest library. In every corner
of the prison, courses are given: Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili,
French and English are taught, together with literacy classes.
A certificate has been made available to those who have
followed the literacy classes for three years.
In
addition to this, we try to render a thousand and one small
services: to look for medication not available in the prison,
for milk and other supplementary foods for the sick and
small children, for knitting wool, or empty plastic bags
for basket weaving, for large plastic sheeting to provide
shelter against the sun, etc…
The
women HOLD OUT!
What
strikes me most with the women is their strength and determination
to HOLD OUT.
They
are tremendously creative and have much originality in sewing
their rose-coloured prisoner's garment, in wrapping their
head-scarves (over shaven heads), in using make-up, even
in decorating their small personal corner and in inventing
communal ways of relaxation, where one has the illusion
of being elsewhere!
Often,
they exclaim: " We must hold out! "
Of
course, some do remain despondent, bearing detention with
difficulty. They expect a lot from the" visiting hour
". We try to listen to them and to encourage them,
that they take hold of themselves and get help from one
another. Some show a lot of solidarity.
Yes,
it is in these surroundings that we experience today what
it is "to be women among women", and to journey
with them in these limited spaces.
