BURUNDI, Federico Gaffrey. A few days ago, a group from Mount Zion Gikungu Shrine visited the jail in Ruyigi to celebrate Mass with the prisoners and to collect donations. Two youths from Latin America, who work as Schoenstatt volunteers at Mount Zion Gikungu, also participated. One of them shares his experience with the Schoenstatt Family.
We arrived just in time; they were waiting for us with everything prepared for the Mass. Although we entered quietly, our arrival was noticed. There were so many people that they had to move to open a space so that we could walk in single file to the chapel. Father Deo vested, and he began the celebration.
In Burundi, the place, condition, or situation does not matter; there are always large choirs.
The ceremony had not even begun when we were introduced to those present, first Maria Radio, the National Television, and those who were accompanying us from Mount Zion Gikungu for this mission; this included us, the two volunteers from South America. We were invited from the altar to greet those gathered; we were there in front of the prisoners.
The prison ministry
Although this was something different from our usual daily routine, it is important to stress and emphasize the importance of these visits. The prison ministry is an honorable task, because they are people who are marginal in the system and forgotten by society. For this reason, accompanying them, merely spending some time with them, and listening to them is a demonstration of faith and forgiveness. It is necessary for the community to carry out these acts of solidarity.
After the protocol, the moment that the prisoners had awaited eagerly occurred: the donation. There were a large number of gifts ranging from clothing to food. The prisoners were in charge of taking them to the jail. While the presentation was made, National Television interviewed Father Deo.
Outside there were a large number of people watching attentively. These were the visitors and relatives of the prisoners, who were waiting, some holding gifts; they observed us without realizing what was happening.
A personal observation
Since that experience, I think that it is timely to comment about what we witnessed. The conditions are more than precarious, inhumane and inhabitable. The prison was a “cachot”, a dungeon. It was too small for the number of people who were imprisoned. In fact, during the final greeting, they could be seen like straight pins, one beside the other. There was no more room, not a single person more would fit. Among them there were also women. Some children could also be seen, who I suppose were the women’s children who were born here. What a sentence!
My personal situation deserves a comparison. I know many prisons in Argentina, and many times I have complained about the treatment and the conditions, which are found in these places. But having seen and considered the unspeakable Burundian jail and now this one, Ruyigi; the prisons in my country are “five star hotels” in comparison. I do not have to say more or be graphic. This event made me reflect. Our visit may have been fleeting, but neither them nor us can forget it.
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio/Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
