The Christmas Play Lolín Menéndez rscj

Inspired by the efforts of Mary Kajubi in Kalungu, I decided to try to do something small for the 95 to 100 inmates of Moroto prison, Karamoja. I asked the OC (Officer in Charge) if there were many who were illiterate and he said there might be 8 to 10. But when I went for the first time, back in June, to meet the prisoners, the number turned out to be 74!

We found the prisoners dressed in mustard yellow baggy shorts and tops, designed to fit any size. They were delighted to be taught – the alternative being to have their one meal of the day (maize meal and beans) and be locked in their 3 big cells for the night, at 4:00 in the afternoon! It was chaotic, but we gradually got the men sorted into small groups around the courtyard, each with its student teacher, a girl who spoke Akarimojong. One of the Moroto High teachers took the ‘educated’ prisoners for a discussion on the need for behaviour change if they wanted to survive the AIDS epidemic.

We began well, but it became apparent as the weeks of June and July went by that there was not much hope of continuity from the students.  They had many calls upon their time – extra lectures to prepare for exams, choir practices for various celebrations, debates etc. They came so late, if they came at all, that we had only half an hour with the prisoners, for we had to be out by 5:30 at the latest. By the end of July I was resigned to being alone and stopped waiting for the students to turn up. The educated prisoners took on the task of teaching reading, writing and arithmetic to their fellows and it worked quite well, for they had more time to give to it. My role was to give a short religious talk, teach a rousing hymn and end with asking the men for a Karimojong dance. The response was immediate. They clapped, roared the responses and leaped into the air like gazelles. A good time was had by all... 

My impression is that these prisoners are treated far better than those in smaller, local jails. The prison is very clean. Prisoners have to provide their own soap, and most don’t have any, but at least there is water and a time to bathe. They are not beaten because the OC does not allow it.  They work hard in the mornings, cultivating, carrying water, scrubbing, but the afternoons are free. But it is surely hard to be locked in the cells, 30 or more to each room from 5:30 p.m. at the latest until the next morning, lying on the concrete floor with a ragged blanket (if they are lucky) without any light. I encouraged them to say the rosary at night and found as many rosaries as I could for them. Some were phosphorescent and they loved those best!

In early September I asked Fr. Charles Omenya from our parish to give the prisoners a “mission”.  It was a wonderful experience for them and for him too. He gave 2 talks in the morning and had Mass in the afternoon for 3 days. They were free to attend or not but everybody came, even some of the guards. On the last day Fr. Charles had a celebration of reconciliation. He helped them to look at what they had done that was evil and told them how God was longing to forgive them.  He gave them all – Catholics, Protestants, Muslims – general absolution.  Then, to Fr. Charles’ surprise, the OC announced that a big number – 11 of them – were being released, and everyone danced for joy.

In the third term, September to December, I hoped to involve the students of the Teachers’ College in putting on a play with the prisoners, but the effort of getting to the prison by 4:30 proved too much. Instead I am being helped by Beatrice, a prison guard who is an past student of Kangole Secondary School, one of my ”daughters”. We are putting on a musical version of the Book of Jonah. All the prisoners take part as sailors in the ship that carries Jonah away and as inhabitants of Nineveh boasting about their sinfulness. Individuals play Jonah, God, the whale, the King of Nineveh, the weed that grew up, the worm that ate it, the hot wind that blew on Jonah and the narrator. We should be ready to produce it in January if not too many of the key players are released before then.  

Meanwhile, we had a Christmas pageant and carol service. Since there were no women prisoners, one of the men wrapped up in colorful cloth became “Mary”. The baby Jesus rested snug in a box clearly marked “Letters”, the angels proudly batted their wings, and the sheep, clad in a grey blanket, rested at the feet of the Holy Family while the star-torch shone brightly and the Wise Men offered gifts. And the audience, sang, cheered and enjoyed immensely.

Margie Conroy rscj
province of Uganda-Kenya