NEWS UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 26

RICE Restoring Inspiring Caring Engaging

Although many of us know the RICE acronym for sprains and strains (Rest Ice Compression Elevate). Here at CHI the word rice brings to mind the sheer luxury that the grain is for so many across Africa, especially those in prison. The staple food in Africa is maize or sorghum flour mixed with boiled water to make a watery porridge type drink called posho. In the correctional facilities across Rwanda the prisoners receive one cup of this every day for the whole of their prison sentence. Their diet can be complemented with fresh food if they are lucky enough to have visitors who can afford to bring some in, but sadly many are abandoned by friends and family because of their crimes, and posho is their only form of nutrition.

The Kigali Diocese prison ministry team visit the prisons monthly for Sunday services, which attract over 2000 prisoners. In between, the imprisoned Christians hold their own services, Bible classes and prayer sessions. CHI have supported the diocese with funds for bibles, chairs, food, hygiene products and clothing. But this is not easy to fund raise for as there are, for obvious reasons, no photos of the joy of the people receiving these gifts.

Every new year the Bishop holds a baptism ceremony at the prison which is followed by a meal, for all the prisoners, not just the Christians, and feeds over 17,000 people in two prisons, 15000 in one and 2000 in another. The meal consists of a cup of rice for each prisoner, a ‘real luxury’ and a change from the regular cup of posho! This costs the diocese 20p per person, £3400 overall.

This year, we invite you, our supporters, to consider helping us reach our goal of raising funds to feed the prisoners. A bag of rice costs approximately £15, it gives the prisoners a special meal, shows them they are loved by God and reminds them that they are not forgotten. Maybe it is a virtual, eco-friendly gift you could give to a loved one for Christmas? The bags of rice will be available in our Gift Shop on the website, by calling the office or by bank transfer with Rice as the reference. Please let us know if you need a gift voucher for your purchase and we will send one out to you!