Joshua and Tjostolv are worried that the Inmate-account is empty. So, they’ve asked me to write something about this account and what the money has done in hopes that some more will come in. Thanks to givers to the “Inmate to Inmate” account YOU have been a part of saving lives and ease lives. They have treated patients in Joshua and Tjostolv’s clinic every day.
Now, about 3000 treatments have been given and a lot of lives have been saved. For some time now there has even been an arrangement for patients who have needed to go to the hospital for an operation etc., have benefited from the money. A lot of people in Congo can’t afford to pay for hospital and operations. As you can understand most of the prisoners are in that category. Josh and Tjostolv arrange for the money (that comes from you) that’s needed to help these prisoners. It’s usually between 15-20 dollars, but the price can come up to 100 dollars for a stay at the hospital with a larger operation.
The two Norwegians have also worked at increasing the general hygiene in the prison. From the inmate-account they have bought diesel/fuel to clean up in the sewer and for nicer things too like footballs. Josh and Tjostolv have arranged football-cups where a couple of pipes with mosquito nets were goals. Fortunately Joshua injured two ankles (not at the same time) so he doesn’t play anymore.
The number of prisoners dying in the prison has decreased a lot the time Josh and Tjostolv have been there. This is not just because of the help from the Inmate-account but the Red Cross started to upgrade the prisons in the area. You have to forget all about Norwegian prisons. The standard in the prison in Kisangani would chock you, but there have been some improvements. There are two toilet facilities in the prison and they have been a little better, and some remodeling has been done. The toilet Joshua and Tjostolv uses during the day are for the “privileged” prisoners and are shared by about 20 people. The two Norwegians pay a prisoner to keep it clean. The toilet is a hole and even has a door. After Joshua and Tjostolv are locked in for the night they use a bucket they have in their cell. The open gutters in the yard (where many also do their business) have been repaired by the Red Cross so the water and other crap go through faster.
In Congo, as in many countries family and friends of the prisoner has to arrange for food and other life necessities to “their” prisoners. Many can’t afford to feed family members in prison. That results in hunger, disturbance, problems and escape attempts. Red Cross have arranged for food to the prison for about two years now. This is for the most part basic foods like beans and corn flour. The food is prepared in large pots and distributed. The Red Cross depot will be empty at the end of September. Now it’s the Congolese authorities who are supposed to take responsibility for its own prisoners. It’s apparently money in an account for this purpose. Josh told me that he’s afraid the prisoners will never see any food from that money – at least not after the election. But we have to hope!
Joshua and Tjostolv have their own support accounts and we thank you who have given and gives to these accounts. The help has been invaluable for us.
Kari Hilde French, September 26th 2011
