By Brian Wasili

Mwanza, December 25, Mana: Zambezi Evangelical Church (ZEC) National Men’s Ministry has embarked on a tour aimed at reaching out to different groups of underprivileged people with different kinds of gifts as one way of celebrating Christmas with them.

During the visit to Mwanza Prison, the group preached the gospel before donating assorted food and non-food items worth about K1 million to the inmates and staff as part of celebrating the festive season.

In an interview, ZEC National Coordinator for Men's Ministry, Pastor Jangiya Mwembere said the donated items which included soya pieces, salt, sugar, body lotion and assorted types of soap among others were mobilized by Christians of the church as well as members of the ministry.

Mwembere said that Jesus Christ was teaching people to love one another; therefore, one way of expressing it is by ensuring that challenges faced by marginalized groups are minimised.

“Sometimes people that are in difficult circumstances including the inmates are neglected by society but as followers of Jesus Christ we would want them to feel that God still loves them regardless of their situation and that is why we are celebrating with them the birth of Jesus Christ,” said Mwembere.

In a separate interview, ZEC’s Mitsidi Synod General Secretary, Pastor Robert Yanduya expressed gratitude, saying the group was introduced in the church about two years ago with an aim of doing charity work by reaching out to the hopeless.

Yanduya said the ministry has already provided skills on financial management, literacy, counseling and guidance on family matters and how to deal with depression so that suicide cases among men were reduced in the church. 

He, therefore, commended the group for fulfilling its purpose by doing what Jesus Christ was teaching the disciples about love.

“Apart from visiting prisons, the group has also targeted hospitals, orphanages, child headed families and those with chronic illnesses among other groups,” said Yanduya.

In his remarks, Mwanza Prison Chaplain, Sergeant Rashid Mwachande commended ZEC men’s ministry for coming forward with the support, noting that it was timely.

“The institution cannot provide the items to all the beneficiaries due to financial constraints,” explained Mwachande.

Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Steven Benard commended ZEC for the gesture, saying the support will address some challenges they face in prison such as lack of basic needs including soap.

“The donation is also going to promote our personal hygiene so that we stay healthy while here like those who are outside,” said Benard.

All the 350 male inmates at Mwanza Prison benefited from the donation.