Staff Reporter

GWERU – Two recently released young offenders have received poultry starter packs, con-sisting of 50-day-old chicks and feed, from the Young Men’s Christian Association as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society.

The beneficiaries, Charlton Moyo and Adjust Mpofu, both aged 20, served time at Whawha Young Offenders Prison and underwent a mentorship programme led by Superintendent Thandani Ndlovu, who is in charge of rehabilitation.

The session focused on financial discipline, spiritual growth, and upholding moral values in the community.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Mid-lands Officer Commanding Commissioner Somemore Gate, commended the YMCA for its support, describing the gesture as aligned with ZPCS’s reintegration mandate.

“The purpose of Whawha Young Offenders Prison is not to punish but to rehabilitate and ed-ucate. Our focus is now on equipping inmates with life skills such as farming, which are es-sential for sustainable reintegration,” said Commissioner Gate.

He likened the donation to the proverbial act of giving someone a fishing rod instead of fish, emphasising its potential to foster self-reliance.
“This is just the beginning. These 50 chicks can multiply to over 200 if managed properly. We will follow up to ensure the project is viable and sustainable,” he added.

Comm. Gate urged the young men to reinvest any profits into the project, avoid misusing funds, and continue striving for self-improvement.
“I believe these young men are no longer who they were when they came to us. They have changed,” he said.

“Success stories like theirs, and others, such as Knowledge Kurenje, who recently won the Ministry of Tourism’s national gastronomy competition, are proof that rehabilitation works.”

He said engaging in meaningful projects can keep youths away from drug and substance abuse.

Mpofu expressed his gratitude to the YMCA, saying, “We are transformed. We now under-stand what we need to do with our lives.”
Tafadzwa Makore, YMCA Gweru Branch Coordinator, said the organisation is committed to empowering youth across all age groups—spiritually, mentally, and physically.

“Our goal is to make young former inmates independent and self-sustainable. Reintegration is our top priority, and we are leaving no one behind,” she said.

Meanwhile, in a related development at the same event, the Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, led by Tamary Hove, donated 25 tracksuits, T-shirts, socks, and footwear to inmates who will represent Whawha Young Offenders in the upcoming ZPCS Formal School Sports Tournament in Harare.

“As part of our ongoing support through the Prison Ministries, we wanted to ensure all stu-dent athletes are properly dressed for the competition,” said Hove.