St Steven No. 12 M’phakati CWO visits, fetes children in conflict with law
St. Steven No. 12 M’phakati Catholic Women Organization (CWO) on Sunday paid a visit to children in conflict with the law incarcerated at Maula Prison in order to encourage them to remain steadfast in their Christian faith despite being limited in some freedoms.
The all women Catholic organization under St. John’s Msamba Parish in Area 36 in Lilongwe also treated the children to a sumptuous meal and donated assorted food and non-food items to the children to enable them partake in Christmas festivities.
Malawi Prison Service recently relocated over 200 children in conflict with the law from Kachere Reformation Centre in Area 1 opposite Lilongwe Bus Depot to Maula Prison in Area 6 to pave the way for the occupation of the facility by female inmates.
Prior to the sharing of the food, Mrs. Patricia Magalasi asked the children in conflict with the law to use the time in incarceration to mend their relationship with God and be transformed into responsible citizens afterwards.
Magalasi, who read from Matthew 11:28-30 and Matthew 19:13, assured the children that God still loves them in spite of being in conflict with worldly laws.
“Jesus is merciful and he is ready to accept your repentance today. Once you repent your sins, God will forgive and give you peace of mind even within the precincts of these walls,” she said, adding that incarceration is nothing in the eyes of God, but just a time to allow His children to reflect on their lives.
“You’re not here to suffer to death, but to reflect on your past life. Now that you have all the time to mend your relationship with God, don’t harden your hearts. Give your lives to God and He will change you,” she said.
Magalasi assured the children that Catholic women, as mothers, will continue praying and interceding for them until they are out of incarceration.
St. Steven No. 12 M’phakati CWO chairperson Stella Kumwenda said the visitation was aimed at inspiring the children in conflict with the law to keep their faith in Jesus Christ despite facing challenges in the reformatory institution.
Kumwenda promised that her organization does not believe in judging those in prison, but rather praying for their salvation.
