By Kelvin Kasiwulaya
In the midst of the bleakness and hopelessness that often accompany life behind bars, Midlands based Philanthropist cum Businesswoman Ambassador Dr Smelly Dube has ignited a glimmer of hope for Shurugwi Female Prisoners after she donated groceries, US$ 1000 and refurbished a dilapidated prison barrack, before she pledged to drill a borehole at the correctional facility.
The borehole is meant to provide reliable access to water for agriculture, allowing the female inmates to engage in productive farming activities that can help improve their nutrition and overall health.
Dr Dube who has made it her mission to help improve the lives of the women who are serving their sentences there, also donated 10 x 20 liters of polyvinyl acetate paint to spruce up the outlook of the prison.
Women make up 99, 5 % of the inmate population at Shurugwi Female Prison, with the other 0, 5 % going to two children who are living within the walls of the correctional facility with their mothers.
The two children, courtesy of Dr Smelly Dube and River Valley Group of Companies (RVGC) also received tracksuits and warm clothes to brace the cold spell which is ravaging the scenic town of Shurugwi like a fire in the harmattan.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the newly refurbished prison Shurugwi Prison Barracks, Dr Dube promised her continued support to the correctional facility and the welfare of its inmates.
“As River valley group, we have a long standing relationship with Shurugwi Community especially Shurugwi Female Prison, we have worked and we will continue to work hand in hand with the Officer In Charge (OIC) Prisons.
“We have held several Christmas Celebrations here with inmates and their children, we also donate food hampers on a quarterly basis. Today we are here to hand over a staff block which we renovated. We are also going to donate paint for the whole complex so that we improve on the outlook of our Prison and we will continue working with you in future,” she said
Dr Smelly Dube also said it was the duty of a mother to take care of all her Children either good or bad, in prison or outside, hence it was her mandate as a mother to take care of the inmates.
“A mother can give birth to both a good and a bad child but, no matter how painful it is the mother should equally take care of both children, the thief and the morally apt one, hence today I come here as a mother to see to it that my fellow women behind bars get a fair share of my love” she said.
Speaking about the two Children who are sharing the prison walls with their mothers, Dr Dube said the children’s wellbeing is of utmost importance and providing basic necessities like food and clothing is a priority.
“I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for these women to raise their children in such difficult conditions,” said Dr Dube . “I want to make a difference in their lives and offer them some hope for a better future. Children are the future, and their upbringing is crucial to the progress of any society.”
Receiving the donations on behalf of the Officer Commanding Midlands Province Somemore Gate, Officer Commanding Shurugwi Female Prison Superintendent Wadzanai Zimunya hailed Dr Smelly Dube as their all weather friend and a mother to all.
“We are gathered here today to witness the handing over of Shurugwi prison officers barrack which was renovated by River-valley Properties under the stewardship of Dr Smelly Dube.
“River-valley Properties have shown us that they are our all-weather friend. Mukufara nemumatambudziko munesu translated (translated in joy and in tribulations you will be with us the the way) . tinokutendai zvikuru translated (We thank you a lot) Dr Dube. This is a typical example of a woman providing for other women,” she said.
Giving his vote of thanks, Chief Nhema thanked Dr Dube for her philanthropic work and bemoaned the legal framework that unjustifiably puts innocent children in prison with their mothers.
“On behalf of the Shurugwi Community, Chief Banga, Ndanga and Chief Mapanzure we would like to thank Dr Dube and her company for her humanitarian work, this has taught us a lesson, I didn’t know that we can go this far in assisting our inmates.
“However, as a traditional leader I am touched to hear that they are children within the prison walls with their mothers, something must be done by our lawmakers, it’s not just for an innocent child to spend time in prison,” he said.
Dr Smelly Dube female prisoners is just one example of her longstanding commitment to philanthropy and community development. She has previously provided funding for clean water initiatives, education programs, and healthcare projects in underserved areas of the Midlands Province
Her dedication to improving the quality of life for those around her serves as a shining example of the importance of compassion and community connection. Her work at Shurugwi Female Prison is a reminder that even in the darkest of places, a single act of kindness can bring hope and inspire change.