In pursuit of seeking sustainable partnerships with stakeholders in its quest to have a national presence, Jedidiah Trsust has approached Norton Town Council and the Senators in Mashonaland West Province to find ways of establishing a mutual working pact.
“On Friday the 15th of May 2020, we had an introductory meeting with Norton Town Council heads of departments, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officers from Chikurubi Female Prison, as well as councilors and Senators from Mashonaland West Province.
“At the meeting, we highlighted our mission, vision and objectives as Jedidiah Trust. We explained the reason why it’s important for us to partner with the town fathers,” Mr. Lovemore Chikwanda, the Founder and Executive Director of Jedidiah Trust said.
Mr. Chikwanda alluded to the fact that since the Trust was originated in Norton, it made sense to start its core business of rehabilitation and re-integration in the town as a way of giving back by creating safer communities.
The trust took the opportunity to conscientise the councilors who are the representatives of the people at a local level. In turn, the councilors and senators would educate the community on the importance of giving another opportunity for ex-inmates to reform.
Mrs. Gertrude Mandizvidza, the Jedidiah Trust Chairperson underscored the need to conscientise the community of the plight of the children who serve time with their imprisoned mothers.
“My humble request to the Norton Council is to help us with a place to operate from and a home that caters for the needs of those children in prison with their mothers since they are the most vulnerable.
“My other request is for government to ensure that these children are given proper documentation whilst their mothers are in prison. The norm at the moment is that such children will only obtain national registration documents upon the release of their mothers. To me, we will be violating their rights,” Mrs. Mandizvidza said.
The Jedidiah Trust, founded by Lovemore Chikwanda, focuses on providing education, psycho-social support, a start-up for those released from prison and lobbying and advocacy for better policies.
It works with various stakeholders who are willing to partner the trust to bring hope to the inmates whose hope would have been dashed through incarceration. In addition to this, the trust conscientises the society on remembering their own who would have been incarcerated and works to address massive stigma and discrimination against the incarcerated.
