On Skavlan (a TV-show) Friday November 4th the partner of one of the two Swedish journalists who are in prison in Ethiopia were interviewed. She told a little about the situation in that case. The question how you could keep up the human dignity during inhuman conditions came up. One of the guests told what her father who had been in a concentration camp during World War II had told her regarding this topic. He said it was two types of people. If a prisoner were so weak that he couldn’t eat his bread one type of person would steal his bread. The other type of person would help him to eat. This person kept his dignity as a person.
I’m glad Tjostolv and Joshua have been “feeding” people. When I spoke to Joshua recently he told me that on Sunday November 6th they gave money to Muslim inmates so they could buy a hen to their Id-celebration. The two Norwegians help mentally ill inmates. This are among other people who live in their own world and are often sitting in their own feces. Every week Tjostolv organizes so those who help them wash themselves have soap. The soap is available because of the inmate-account. These mentally ill prisoners also get some treats from time to time. This probably doesn’t seem like much to us in Norway, but means a lot to these ill prisoners. Prisoners with urgent problems, like if they have a sick child or a wife who’s in labor get money so they can go to the hospital. The guards outside the prison also get help if something acute happens to them or their families. In connection with the elections (first for president, then local and then for parliament) the prison got a visit from the major in Kisangani. He gave the prisoners a TV as a gift for his PR-campaign. Joshua and Tjostolv have helped with extension cords and a DVD-player, and organize French movies that are shown in the “common area” in the prison every week. This is in addition to the work in the clinic, arranging soccer games etc. THANKS to all of you who donate to the INMATE-ACCOUNT. You’ve helped to create a more human existence for many prisoners.
Kari Hilde French, November 8th 2011
