The whole Lucy Kibaki saga and the ensuing discussion on whether her behaviour was an embarassment to Kenyan women or in fact a good thing, reminded me of an article I had seen a while back - a definite positive for our country.
As part of the government's reform programmes in Kenyan jails, the Miss Langata beauty pageant was launched - all 12 finalists being inmates in Kenya's largest women's prison, Langata.
The positive story here is not the contest itself - it's the rehabilitation programme that was introduced for the winners of the contest. Vera Beauty College were asked to support the contest as experts - they said yes and took it even a step further by offering courses to some of the inmates. The results: 12 women have graduated from the college and three of them even got jobs at the same institute.
This is a wonderful initiative - not only for women prisoners - that gives people who have made mistakes in life a second chance. Such projects do not only help in the resocialisation of the prisoners. Considering the number of Kenyan women who are not able to complete their education, for some it could end up being the opportunity of a lifetime - possibly even better than what they would have achieved had they not gone to prison.
Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
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4 comments:
Adrian, I too saw that article and I thought it was an impressive initiative. The self confidence and opportunities themselves must give these women the hope that society hasnt all but turned its back on them.
Nice work!
This beauty pageant could be one of the very few where women were not being objectified and where winning meant so much more than just having a pretty face/figure.
It's very true that an initiative aimed at giving ex-prisoners a chance in life is great; I also heard about an NGO which actively helps ex-prisoners get jobs when they leave. Kenyan prisons should also provide courses (instead of just locking people up) so that the rehab process equips prisoners for life outside.
Wassup Adrian.
I think the idea of prisons offering a more humane touch is realistic. Honestly, we need more of this so that people don't leave the prisons worse off and with chaotic views on life. Is anybody wondering about the insecurity that is escalating by the day? It happens when we lack a humane touch.
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