Two years ago to this day, I had an experience that
changed the recent course of my life. Looking back, I wonder if at the time it
was meant only to be a single conscience-soothing act of kindness. Yet it
became so much more.
In the months leading up to 28 June 2014, I had
been taken to a local prison, Kamwala Remand Prison, in my capacity as a
concerned lawyer, to learn more about the challenges facing the Zambian
juvenile justice system. What I couldn’t forget were the looks of hopelessness
in the eyes of the boys and the harsh conditions. As the cold season approached
I decided to rally my friends and collect enough money to donate blankets to
the prison. Not that I specifically viewed it as a one-time thing, but at least
it would give me some peace of mind whenever I felt the morning chill in the
air.
That day, 28 June 2014, I went with a few friends
to drop at the prison the 50 blankets we had purchased. I assumed we would just
be sticking them inside the gate and then be on our way. However, the prison
officers insisted we give the blankets directly to the juveniles and before we
knew it, we had donned bright yellow visitor vests and had been ushered inside
the prison and into the juvenile area. After an awkwardly formal handover of a
blanket to one of the youngest of the 59, the officers left us with
instructions to mingle and chat to the boys. Eventually the awkwardness wore
off, thanks to the easy topic of the ongoing football world cup. Before we knew
it the officers were back and ready to escort us out. But first, we were to
receive a “vote of thanks” from our new friends. One of the older boys was
quickly chosen to speak on behalf of the group. I will never forget the theme
of his words – Yes, that night they would be warm because of the blankets, but
what they would be talking about was that today they had visitors. He plead
with us not to just leave that place, blankets delivered, and the boys then
forgotten. He asked that we remember them and that we promise to return again
to visit. We promised.
Later that day I posted this on Facebook:
It was on that day that “Undikumbukire” (“Remember
me”) was born.
Little could I imagine then we would return, first
every three weeks, then every two weeks, and then every week to have fun with
and encourage these “Kamwala boys”. In the past two years I estimate we have
visited with over 1000 imprisoned juveniles across 9 prison facilities.
Little could I imagine that 15 months later I would
take a further step to begin coordinating legal representation – which back
then was unfamiliar and daunting. Since October 2015 we have represented 38
juveniles and 99 imprisoned migrants in court proceedings. We are working to
get 68 more juveniles their day in court within the next two months.
Little could I imagine we would get involved in
advocacy on a major human rights/Anti Human Trafficking issue and see 40 boys
pardoned of 15 year sentences.
Little could I imagine that I would be building a
team of community members to stay involved in the lives of these teens as they
get their freedom and face the future.
Little could I imagine what joy I would experience
inside the walls of a deteriorating prison.
One of my motivating factors in getting involved
with these boys and this work has been my Christian faith. In looking back over
the past two years, the triumphant song “Never Alone” (by Matt Redman) comes to
mind:
“Standing on this
mountaintop
Looking just how far
we’ve come
Knowing that for every
step
You were with us
Kneeling on this battle
ground
Seeing just how much You’ve
done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
Scars and struggles on
the way
But with joy our hearts
can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever
walk alone
Never once did You leave
us on our own
You are faithful, God,
You are faithful.”
You may have noticed that as I write this I
constantly say “we”. I’m so grateful for the “we” that has been a part of this
project from the very first visit – the friends who pitched in to get those
first blankets, the volunteers who have made time to visit the boys in prison,
the generous community members who have given so items to improve the day to
day lives of imprisoned juveniles, the 4 lawyers and 3 advising lawyers who
have handled all our cases pro bono, the friends and family who are supporting
me financially so that I have the freedom to pursue this project….And to my
Lord who continues to sustain me and show me joy in the midst of a grim
reality.
With all that has happened in two short years, I
can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Happy Birthday Undikumbukire! May you see many more
years of success!
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