Toledo pastor headed for Africa to start prison farm project
"We gave them the poison. Now we have to give them the antidote," said the Rev. Yong-jin Kim.
A Toledo pastor with a doctorate in criminal justice, Mr. Kim is working to alleviate the squalid conditions in many African prisons, which he said are the result of the well-intentioned, but failed, concept of modern prisons given to the world by American Christians less than 200 years ago.
The first modern penitentiary - where inmates were supposed to be penitent, or contrite, for their crimes and sins - was opened by Quakers near Philadelphia in 1825, Mr. Kim said.
Long before the advent of mass communication, the penitentiary concept caught on like wildfire, and within three decades had been copied by governments worldwide.
In Africa today, most prisoners are crammed into overcrowded cells, receive just one meal a day, are forced to labor without pay, and spend years behind bars without any programs designed to rehabilitate them.
"In Africa, prisoners are on the lowest rung of society. They are the lowest of the low," Mr. Kim said.
Mr. Kim, pastor of Hanmi Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Toledo, has initiated and is overseeing a number of programs in Malawi, Zambia, and Ghana that aim to improve the welfare of prisoners and, in the long run, possibly change the outlook and attitude of an entire continent.
Next month, Mr. Kim will move to Makonde, Malawi, a country of 13.6 million in southeastern Africa, to oversee the construction and operation of a new work-release prison for inmates with one year to go on their sentences.
The prison, to which inmates volunteer to go, will be run as a Christian ministry with prayer, Bible lessons, and other religious programs.
It also will include a program that is ground-breaking for Africa, in which the prisoners will grow crops and raise chickens and livestock.
The inmates will not only be learning a trade they can use after their release, but half of the crops will go to feed inmates who now receive a single bowl of maize-based gruel a day. The other half of the crops will be distributed to local orphanages, nursing homes, and hospitals.
The inmates will grow vegetables and maize and raise chickens, pigs, and cows, Mr. Kim said, with chickens eventually producing eggs that can be sold to pay for more prison programs and make the farm project self-sufficient.
Mr. Kim, who serves as director of the office of strategy project development for Prison Fellowship International, has been running several programs in Africa since 2002, all with the blessing of the local governments. Among the projects are the Sounds of Love recording studios where inmates translate the Bible and other books onto CDs, which are then distributed free to surrounding villages; a mediation program that keeps people out of prison for petty crimes and reduce the overcrowding problems, and a planned wheelchair-manufacturing facility.
The prison, set to open in October, is being built on a lush 300-acre site, formerly a coffee plantation, provided free by the Malawi government. It has a small river running through it and railroad tracks that will make it easy to transport crops and supplies.
But overseeing the projects long-distance has been difficult at times, so Mr. Kim decided that the most practical step is to move to Malawi, where he will live in a building adjacent to the prison for at least the next three years.
His wife and 7-year-old son will join him by the end of the year, he said, while his two grown children plan to stay in the United States.
"It's been too difficult trying to run the programs from here," Mr. Kim said. "Especially when there are problems or complications. And in Africa, there are always problems or complications."
Four men were hurt recently, for example, while knocking down an old wall in order to get bricks to use for the new prison. The injuries were not life-threatening, but Mr. Kim had to make emergency arrangements by phone with Malawi prison and hospital officials.
Another complication arose when government officials said they would close a school for 400 village children that meets on the grounds where the prison is being built, saying it would be too dangerous for the pupils. But the closing would have forced the students to walk more than four miles to a different school.
"I told them that was completely unacceptable, that we must find a way to keep the school open," Mr. Kim said.
The problem was resolved by building a wall that separates the school facilities from the prison itself. And, after the school closes each afternoon, prisoners will use the "educational wing" for Bible studies, literacy classes, lessons on how to be a good father, and other classes to help them become better citizens.
Mr. Kim's latest challenge is to raise enough money to pay each inmate $10 a month for working on the farm.
"That may not sound like much, but it is the equivalent of $400 a month in buying power in the United States," he said, adding that Malawi's Gross National Product is $170 per person compared to $35,000 in the United States.
The entire $10 "salary" will go to the inmates' families, giving them enough money to buy food for a month. It will be more likely that inmates will be warmly welcomed by their families upon their release, having been providers.
"Maybe for the first time in their married life, this son of a gun is making money," Mr. Kim said with a smile.
He believes such a program will not only turn around individuals and help families, but it could lead to a sea change in how Africans feel about themselves.
"There is a mentality among Africans that blames Americans and Europeans for all their problems, blaming everything on colonialism," Mr. Kim said. "We want to break that pattern of thinking."
The Makonde Prison farm project will be closely watched by government officials in Malawi and other African nations, and if it succeeds, the concept could spread across the continent, Mr. Kim said. He already has plans for three more in Malawi.
Unlike the attention that rock stars such as Madonna and Bono get when they go to Africa, Mr. Kim said his programs are "very small-time, very grass-roots."
The Rev. David Bayly, pastor of Christ the Word Presbyterian Church in Toledo, called Mr. Kim's Malawi prison farm "intriguing and worthy."
"I asked him to come to speak to our church about it," he said.
Mr. Kim is asking Christ the Word's youth group, which consists of students from junior high through college age, to sponsor an inmate's $10 monthly salary.
Mr. Bayly said he tell the youths that he supports Mr. Kim's African project, "but whether or not they give to it will be up to them."
Saturday, 21 July 2007
Global solidarity campaign brings victory for G4S workers
THIRTEEN thousand security workers in Malawi have finally achieved recognition of their union, according to an announcement by Grace Nyirenda, General Secretary of the Malawi Textile, Garment, Leather and Security Services Workers Union.
The recognition agreement with the London-based global security corporation G4S was signed on July 9 at the company's head office in Malawi. A Ministry of Labour official, management of G4S, workers representatives of G4S and union representatives attended the meeting.
"This is just the beginning of better things to come," Nyirenda said in a message to security service workers elsewhere in Africa, and around the world who joined in supporting the workers in Malawi.
"This agreement came at a right time when the campaign against this company is intensifying on a global level," said Jackson Simon, spokesperson for SATAWU, the South African union that represents security officers.
In December, UNI complained to the UK government that G4S's failure to recognise the union in Malawi - as well its failure to pay proper overtime or to allow leave- violated the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
In May, a UNI sponsored fact-finding delegation of trade unionists, human rights activists and international labour rights scholars travelled to Southern Africa where they met with G4S workers in Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique. The fact-finding team found serious and ongoing violations of labour laws concerning overtime and time off as well as behaviour that consigned the workers to a hand-to-mouth existence.
Guards' salaries are so low in Malawi that they are forced to live in some of the area's poorest housing and guards reported that they are not allowed to take paid leave. One guard reported that he had worked an entire year with only a single paid day off which he took to attend a funeral.
UNI spokesperson Christy Hoffman said, "This is a great testament to the power of global solidarity. The next step is the negotiations for a collective agreement to improve conditions and put more money in people's pockets."
The Alliance for Justice at G4S, created by UNI Property Services, is bringing together G4S workers and their unions from across the globe to win a better future for security
workers.
The recognition agreement with the London-based global security corporation G4S was signed on July 9 at the company's head office in Malawi. A Ministry of Labour official, management of G4S, workers representatives of G4S and union representatives attended the meeting.
"This is just the beginning of better things to come," Nyirenda said in a message to security service workers elsewhere in Africa, and around the world who joined in supporting the workers in Malawi.
"This agreement came at a right time when the campaign against this company is intensifying on a global level," said Jackson Simon, spokesperson for SATAWU, the South African union that represents security officers.
In December, UNI complained to the UK government that G4S's failure to recognise the union in Malawi - as well its failure to pay proper overtime or to allow leave- violated the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
In May, a UNI sponsored fact-finding delegation of trade unionists, human rights activists and international labour rights scholars travelled to Southern Africa where they met with G4S workers in Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique. The fact-finding team found serious and ongoing violations of labour laws concerning overtime and time off as well as behaviour that consigned the workers to a hand-to-mouth existence.
Guards' salaries are so low in Malawi that they are forced to live in some of the area's poorest housing and guards reported that they are not allowed to take paid leave. One guard reported that he had worked an entire year with only a single paid day off which he took to attend a funeral.
UNI spokesperson Christy Hoffman said, "This is a great testament to the power of global solidarity. The next step is the negotiations for a collective agreement to improve conditions and put more money in people's pockets."
The Alliance for Justice at G4S, created by UNI Property Services, is bringing together G4S workers and their unions from across the globe to win a better future for security
workers.
Tourism starts to take off in Malawi
MALAWI has been dubbed "the warm heart of Africa" - and it's easy to see why.
Despite their endemic poverty of circumstance, its people are rich in goodwill and seem to have endlessly cheerful dispositions.
It's no wonder that pop star Madonna lost her heart to the little boy she adopted from a Malawi orphanage last year.
There are rumours she is planning to return to adopt a black brother or sister for David.
But you don't need to go that far to help this former British colony of Nyasaland. Tourists can boost the country's economy simply by coming here and spending their money. Admittedly a visit to Malawi is more of an adventure than a holiday.
Apart from the dangerous animals, there are rampant HIV/ AIDS, malaria and snail fever to consider. But with sensible precautions you can stay safe while you take a walk on the wild side.
After flying into the Malawian capital of Lilongwe, I drove for 90 minutes to the Sunbird Hotel at Livingstonia Beach in Senga Bay, Salima (www.sunbirdmalawi.com).
This luxury hotel is on the shore of Lake Malawi, which is the majestic centrepiece of the Great East African Rift Valley. Nearly 10,000 square miles in area, it is the third largest lake on the continent. At the Sunbird you can enjoy a variety of water sports or just relax by the pool while you plan the rest of your tour.
Because of pressure of time, I had already opted to skip the chance of viewing elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, giraffe, antelope and buffalo in game reserves in the south of the country.
Instead, I chose to study the marine and bird life on the lake in the north-east.
And before anyone accuses me of wimping out, let me state that while swimming, snorkelling and bathing in Lake Malawi, I was sharing it with at least one seven-foot crocodile.
It takes a special man to give clients the confidence to follow his example and take to the waters. That man is Howard Massey-Hicks, whose family history would provide material for a Wilbur Smith novel.
Howard's ancestors, Lady Hicks and a carpenter called Massey, caused a scandal when they fell in love and emigrated from Ireland to South Africa at the start of the 19th century.
Howard emigrated to Malawi in 1992. Six years ago he persuaded wife Michelle to help him live his dream when he designed his catamaran yacht Mafusa and launched Danforth Yachting at Cape Maclear (www.danforthyachting.com).
From the comfort of his ten-berth yacht I explored the lake, while crewman Victor dealt with my laundry and chef Nwadie prepared mouth-watering dishes from his galley. But first, I took a trip to the Nyika crocodile farm at Salima where 14,000 of these sinister creatures are converted annually into handbags, wallets and shoes.
Farmer Obert Mtalimanja (did a croc chew his "R", I wondered) showed us his stock of young crocs.
Then he introduced us to his adult breeding animals, including a 40-year-old male which was 13-feet long.
Back on board Mufasa, we had a chance to visit the various lodges which have been built to cater for the area's embryonic tourist industry.
First port of call was the Nkwichi Lodge, just over the border in Mozambique. To reach it we had to have our papers stamped by a barefoot Malawi immigration official wearing shorts and a Maradona soccer shirt.
On the Mozambique side of the lake, passport controllers had thoughtfully placed a tray for tips marked "Thank You" in three different languages.
Here a Down's Syndrome boy called Ben "adopted" me by gently holding my hand and proudly showing me off to his pals.
Nkwichi Lodge (www.mandawilderness.org) is reached through its naturally-hidden private bay and has access to three miles of rocky shoreline, dense bush and sandy beach.
Seven spacious wooden chalets made from local materials blend into the forest. My room boasted a four-poster bed, had an outside toilet, open-air bath and shower, and its own private beach.
It also has its own tribe of vervet monkeys which live on-site and a group of baboons that jabber away from the depths of the forest.
Profits are ploughed back into the Manda Wilderness Project, a local conservation scheme which has provided schools, water sanitation and a maternity hospital for nearby villagers.
Although Likoma Island is only six miles off the coast of Mozambique, it belongs to Malawi and its star attraction, Kaya Mawa Lodge, has been voted one of the world's ten most romantic destinations by Condé Nast magazine (www.kayamawa.com).
Four honeymoon couples were staying in the nine thatch, wood and stone cottages when I visited.
One of the chalets is called Honeymoon Island and is reached by a wooden suspension bridge. It is shaded by a giant mahogany tree which is home to a resident pair of yellow-billed kites from October to January.
Likoma Island also has a cathedral, St Peter's, built in 1903, to serve its 7000 population. Its first dean was a Glaswegian called William Pascal Johnson, and inside the building is a plaque to Charles Frederick Mackenzie, first missionarybishop to the tribes, who was born in Scotland in 1825 and died of fever near Chiromo in 1862.
It was while we were on our way from Nkwichi to Kaya Mawa, admiring a pair of fish eagles which were putting on an impressive aeronautical display, that we saw a seven-foot long croc basking on a rock some 50 yards from the Mozambique shore. It was a graphic reminder that this magnificent landscape with its spectacular sights and stunning sunsets, is anything but tame.
Like the other lakeside lodges mentioned here, Makuzi Beach Lodge is a popular chill-out zone for tourists coming back from hectic safari schedules elsewhere (www.makuzibeach.com).
After a candlelit dinner, yoga teacher Lara Pollard helps guests clear away the cobwebs and any hangovers on the beach next morning.
Nearby is Bandawe Mission, established in 1881 by Scottish Presbyterians, many of whom died from tropical diseases and are buried in the local cemetery.
One of the plots, where Alfred W Roby Fletcher (1868-1898) lies, has a memorial "erected by Edinburgh schoolboys."
Other graves, containing the bodies of Lizzie Ann McMinn, George Swinny, Sophia Aitken, the Rev Alexander Bain, James Sutherland and James Fraser, give the clearest indication of the influence of Scottish missionaries in the area.
It was also apparent in the Christian names of current village chief Alex Banda, and the mission's pastor, Rev Elliot Ngwira, that the legacy continues.
Aussie couple John and Bronnie have only been running the Chintheche Inn nearby since spring this year, but John has already started using his kitchen garden to supplement his cordon bleu cooking.
And in October they will host their own version of Woodstock or Glastonbury with the Lake of Stars Music Festival, featuring British DJs and top Malawian bands (www.wilderness-safaris.com).
My last day in Malawi was spent at the Luwawa Forest Lodge created 5200 feet above sea level by Yorkshireman George Wardlow (www.luwawaforestlodge.com).
At the southern end of a 121,000 square mile forest of pines, and overlooking a dam, the lodge has been turned into an outdoor adventure centre, offering a vast range of sporting activities.
But the highlight of my stay was a visit to the Donija Village, where blind headman Vincent Madings Nkoma organised a tour of the farms and thatched huts.
He also explained the dowry system where go-betweens arrange a bride's price once she has consented to a match.
The day ended with a vigorous display of traditonal singing and dancing, hugs all round and a vote of thanks to "Bwana Georgie."
Travel facts
Alan Hart went with Southern Africa Travel, who provide tailor-made trips to Malawi. For further info click on www.southernafricatravel.co.uk, email enquiries@satravel.co.uk or ring 01483-428162.
Kenya Airways fly six times a week from London Heathrow to Lilongwe via Nairobi. Fares start from £446 return.
For further info click on www.kenya-airways.com or ring 01784-888222.
For further info on Malawi click on www.malawitourism.com or ring 0115-982-1903.
Despite their endemic poverty of circumstance, its people are rich in goodwill and seem to have endlessly cheerful dispositions.
It's no wonder that pop star Madonna lost her heart to the little boy she adopted from a Malawi orphanage last year.
There are rumours she is planning to return to adopt a black brother or sister for David.
But you don't need to go that far to help this former British colony of Nyasaland. Tourists can boost the country's economy simply by coming here and spending their money. Admittedly a visit to Malawi is more of an adventure than a holiday.
Apart from the dangerous animals, there are rampant HIV/ AIDS, malaria and snail fever to consider. But with sensible precautions you can stay safe while you take a walk on the wild side.
After flying into the Malawian capital of Lilongwe, I drove for 90 minutes to the Sunbird Hotel at Livingstonia Beach in Senga Bay, Salima (www.sunbirdmalawi.com).
This luxury hotel is on the shore of Lake Malawi, which is the majestic centrepiece of the Great East African Rift Valley. Nearly 10,000 square miles in area, it is the third largest lake on the continent. At the Sunbird you can enjoy a variety of water sports or just relax by the pool while you plan the rest of your tour.
Because of pressure of time, I had already opted to skip the chance of viewing elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, giraffe, antelope and buffalo in game reserves in the south of the country.
Instead, I chose to study the marine and bird life on the lake in the north-east.
And before anyone accuses me of wimping out, let me state that while swimming, snorkelling and bathing in Lake Malawi, I was sharing it with at least one seven-foot crocodile.
It takes a special man to give clients the confidence to follow his example and take to the waters. That man is Howard Massey-Hicks, whose family history would provide material for a Wilbur Smith novel.
Howard's ancestors, Lady Hicks and a carpenter called Massey, caused a scandal when they fell in love and emigrated from Ireland to South Africa at the start of the 19th century.
Howard emigrated to Malawi in 1992. Six years ago he persuaded wife Michelle to help him live his dream when he designed his catamaran yacht Mafusa and launched Danforth Yachting at Cape Maclear (www.danforthyachting.com).
From the comfort of his ten-berth yacht I explored the lake, while crewman Victor dealt with my laundry and chef Nwadie prepared mouth-watering dishes from his galley. But first, I took a trip to the Nyika crocodile farm at Salima where 14,000 of these sinister creatures are converted annually into handbags, wallets and shoes.
Farmer Obert Mtalimanja (did a croc chew his "R", I wondered) showed us his stock of young crocs.
Then he introduced us to his adult breeding animals, including a 40-year-old male which was 13-feet long.
Back on board Mufasa, we had a chance to visit the various lodges which have been built to cater for the area's embryonic tourist industry.
First port of call was the Nkwichi Lodge, just over the border in Mozambique. To reach it we had to have our papers stamped by a barefoot Malawi immigration official wearing shorts and a Maradona soccer shirt.
On the Mozambique side of the lake, passport controllers had thoughtfully placed a tray for tips marked "Thank You" in three different languages.
Here a Down's Syndrome boy called Ben "adopted" me by gently holding my hand and proudly showing me off to his pals.
Nkwichi Lodge (www.mandawilderness.org) is reached through its naturally-hidden private bay and has access to three miles of rocky shoreline, dense bush and sandy beach.
Seven spacious wooden chalets made from local materials blend into the forest. My room boasted a four-poster bed, had an outside toilet, open-air bath and shower, and its own private beach.
It also has its own tribe of vervet monkeys which live on-site and a group of baboons that jabber away from the depths of the forest.
Profits are ploughed back into the Manda Wilderness Project, a local conservation scheme which has provided schools, water sanitation and a maternity hospital for nearby villagers.
Although Likoma Island is only six miles off the coast of Mozambique, it belongs to Malawi and its star attraction, Kaya Mawa Lodge, has been voted one of the world's ten most romantic destinations by Condé Nast magazine (www.kayamawa.com).
Four honeymoon couples were staying in the nine thatch, wood and stone cottages when I visited.
One of the chalets is called Honeymoon Island and is reached by a wooden suspension bridge. It is shaded by a giant mahogany tree which is home to a resident pair of yellow-billed kites from October to January.
Likoma Island also has a cathedral, St Peter's, built in 1903, to serve its 7000 population. Its first dean was a Glaswegian called William Pascal Johnson, and inside the building is a plaque to Charles Frederick Mackenzie, first missionarybishop to the tribes, who was born in Scotland in 1825 and died of fever near Chiromo in 1862.
It was while we were on our way from Nkwichi to Kaya Mawa, admiring a pair of fish eagles which were putting on an impressive aeronautical display, that we saw a seven-foot long croc basking on a rock some 50 yards from the Mozambique shore. It was a graphic reminder that this magnificent landscape with its spectacular sights and stunning sunsets, is anything but tame.
Like the other lakeside lodges mentioned here, Makuzi Beach Lodge is a popular chill-out zone for tourists coming back from hectic safari schedules elsewhere (www.makuzibeach.com).
After a candlelit dinner, yoga teacher Lara Pollard helps guests clear away the cobwebs and any hangovers on the beach next morning.
Nearby is Bandawe Mission, established in 1881 by Scottish Presbyterians, many of whom died from tropical diseases and are buried in the local cemetery.
One of the plots, where Alfred W Roby Fletcher (1868-1898) lies, has a memorial "erected by Edinburgh schoolboys."
Other graves, containing the bodies of Lizzie Ann McMinn, George Swinny, Sophia Aitken, the Rev Alexander Bain, James Sutherland and James Fraser, give the clearest indication of the influence of Scottish missionaries in the area.
It was also apparent in the Christian names of current village chief Alex Banda, and the mission's pastor, Rev Elliot Ngwira, that the legacy continues.
Aussie couple John and Bronnie have only been running the Chintheche Inn nearby since spring this year, but John has already started using his kitchen garden to supplement his cordon bleu cooking.
And in October they will host their own version of Woodstock or Glastonbury with the Lake of Stars Music Festival, featuring British DJs and top Malawian bands (www.wilderness-safaris.com).
My last day in Malawi was spent at the Luwawa Forest Lodge created 5200 feet above sea level by Yorkshireman George Wardlow (www.luwawaforestlodge.com).
At the southern end of a 121,000 square mile forest of pines, and overlooking a dam, the lodge has been turned into an outdoor adventure centre, offering a vast range of sporting activities.
But the highlight of my stay was a visit to the Donija Village, where blind headman Vincent Madings Nkoma organised a tour of the farms and thatched huts.
He also explained the dowry system where go-betweens arrange a bride's price once she has consented to a match.
The day ended with a vigorous display of traditonal singing and dancing, hugs all round and a vote of thanks to "Bwana Georgie."
Travel facts
Alan Hart went with Southern Africa Travel, who provide tailor-made trips to Malawi. For further info click on www.southernafricatravel.co.uk, email enquiries@satravel.co.uk or ring 01483-428162.
Kenya Airways fly six times a week from London Heathrow to Lilongwe via Nairobi. Fares start from £446 return.
For further info click on www.kenya-airways.com or ring 01784-888222.
For further info on Malawi click on www.malawitourism.com or ring 0115-982-1903.
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