A 25-year-old woman returned to her newly built home after completing a jail sentence.
Rutendo Kamwendo, who had been incarcerated since February of the previous year, regained her freedom on March 4. She was welcomed with a fully furnished three-room house on a five-hectare property in Beatrice. Kamwendo had been imprisoned for shoplifting but took the opportunity to improve herself while serving her time, attending life skills training.
Through a partnership between the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Fulcrum Piggery Production, led by Nicholas Karikoga, Kamwendo was able to learn valuable skills, including piggery training. This initiative was part of a rehabilitation effort aimed at reintegrating former inmates into society.
During the house handover ceremony last Friday, Karikoga shared how Rutendo had excelled in the piggery program and had been awarded a solar system. He mentioned that she was eager to install the solar system in her own home, as she had no permanent residence at the time. This led to the decision to build her a house on a piece of land Karikoga had acquired.
Karikoga explained that he took it upon himself to help Kamwendo after learning of her situation while she was at Marondera Open Prison. With the help of partners like Nyaradzo’s Friends of Environment, the Forestry Commission, and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the house was built and handed over to Kamwendo after her release.
The goal of this rehabilitation project, Karikoga stated, was to provide a second chance for inmates, focusing on reintegration and community building. He emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and correction, aiming to create opportunities for a fresh start.
ZPCS Mashonaland East Officer Commanding, Commissioner George Sibanda, also expressed his gratitude for the generous donation of both the house and the land, noting that it would significantly transform Kamwendo’s life and encourage other former inmates to work toward becoming responsible citizens.
Rutendo Kamwendo expressed her deep appreciation for the gesture, acknowledging not only the gift of a home but the chance to start her piggery business. Reflecting on her time in prison, she warned others against criminal activity and stressed the importance of staying on the right path.
She spoke candidly about the challenges of being incarcerated, saying, “It’s not easy to be in prison. We often commit crimes without realizing the consequences. I’m changing and committed to not repeating my mistakes. We all have families who depend on us, and prison is a setback.”
Kamwendo also encouraged others to avoid crime and focus on personal growth. She shared that her time in prison allowed her to reflect, get closer to God, and make positive changes in her life.
“I’ve learned to forgive and work on myself. I now understand that committing crime leads to nothing good,” she said, adding, “I hope my story will inspire others to think twice before they act.”
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