Beatrice – In a remarkable story of redemption and second chances, Rutendo Kamwendo, a 25-year-old woman, walked into her newly built, fully furnished home in Beatrice on March 4th, a free woman after serving a jail sentence for shoplifting. Her journey from incarceration to homeowner is a testament to the transformative power of rehabilitation and the generosity of those committed to reintegrating former inmates into society.
Rutendo’s life took an unexpected turn when she was jailed in February of last year. However, instead of succumbing to despair, she seized the opportunity to participate in life skills training programmes offered within the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
One such programme, run by Nicholas Karikoga of Fulcrum Piggery Production and Consultancy, proved to be particularly life-changing. Rutendo excelled in the piggery skills workshop, demonstrating a keen aptitude for the trade.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and through partnerships with the director of Fulcrum Piggery Production, Nicholas Karikoga aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate former inmates into society.
It was during her time at Marondera Open Prison, where she was transferred in November last year, that Rutendo’s potential caught the attention of Karikoga. Impressed by her dedication and success in the piggery training, Karikoga took it upon himself to secure a brighter future for the young woman.
Speaking during the handover of the house last Friday, Karikoga said, the idea is to rehabilitate inmates so that they are accepted by the community.
“We had a workshop with inmates, and during that process, we joined together with Vocx Solar Energy to help empower inmates.
“Then, Rutendo was lucky that she was given a solar system after successfully completing her piggery skills training with distinctions.
“She emerged the best, and she was then handed over a solar system which she then said, she had nowhere to put it since they were tenants.
“She wanted somewhere to put the solar system and she was not comfortable installing it at her lodgings.
“She wanted to have a solar at her place,” he said.
Karikoga, driven by his commitment to rehabilitation, acquired a five-hectare piece of land in Beatrice and constructed a three-roomed house for Rutendo. The house was not only structurally sound but also fully furnished, providing her with a comfortable and secure place to restart her life.
“She was at Marondera Open Prison, and I took the plight into my own hands before I acquired land and built a house there.
“So, after her release, she just went to her house.
“We thank some partners like Nyaradzo’s Friends of Environment, Forestry Commission and Environmental Management Agency (EMA).”
He said, he did the kind gesture as part of his rehabilitation process towards inmates.
“My theme towards this programme is to integrate and give these people a second chance.
“Building communities together through rehabilitation for successful re-integration into society.
“It is all about rehabilitation and correctional, and as far as I am concerned, we need to do more, as this is the beginning of a new era.
“We will get into and find where we can fit.”
The handover ceremony was attended by various stakeholders, including ZPCS officials and representatives from partner organisations. Commissioner George Sibanda, the ZPCS Mashonaland East Officer Commanding, expressed his gratitude to Karikoga for his extraordinary act of generosity.
“We are deeply grateful to our esteemed partners for constructing this beautiful house for Rutendo Kamwendo and ensuring she has a well-prepared piece of land to start her piggery project.
“This gesture will not only transform Rutendo’s life but will also inspire other inmates to work hard and become better citizens upon reintegration into the community,” he said.
Rutendo, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the life-changing gift.
“I am truly grateful, not only do I have a house, but I also have to start my piggery project,” she said.
In November last year, Rutendo said, jail is not a good place to be and urged other fellow citizens to stay away from crime.
“I got in prison for two years, of which some months were suspended but I didn’t expect that.
“I went through some training programmes courtesy of Fulcrum Piggery, and I passed.
“I was happy with the development, and I wanted it to be a life-changing story if I get some resources,” she said. Rutendo said, being a prisoner is not easy.
“It’s not easy to be in prison, chitukiso, we commit crimes not knowing the consequences.
“I am reforming not to commit crimes again. We have children and parents who needs our care, so imagine if you are sentenced to many years, it’s a setback.
“We need to find solutions before we commit crimes because being in prison is not a good thing.
“I now have skills and being in cells is not proper.
“Taikura tichinzi chipatara nejeri hazvisi zvinhu zvakanaka, worse if you don’t have relatives coming to see you,” she said.
She also warned other offenders that crime doesn’t pay.
“Try as you can to avoid crime, stay away from crime, I got two years and there are some with more than 10 years uri mujeri.
“I learnt to forgive, and community can’t accept me, but I will try to be good so that they see that I have reformed.
“I also had time for myself, I used to blame people, but I studied myself. I realised that I had made bad decisions. I even got close to God and praying.”
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