By Elizabeth Nyaguyo
An ex-convict Simbarashe Simbi from Mutoko Prison has appealed for support group called Kudanana Christian AIDS Network a grouping of people living with HIV and ex-convicts
Simbi served 18 months jail after being convicted for fraud.
A former employee with Mudzi Rural District Council in the housing department Simbi would issues recipts paid by client but pocketed money for personal use
In an interview with Sly Media,Simbi said that he started this support group before he was arrested, so he has decided to continue from where he left off before he went to prison so that he will assist the vulnerable people in the community those living with HIV.
“In 2010 I started a support group specifically for people living with HIV so it was disturbed when I was in prison but when I returned last year June I thought it was good for me to continue with the support group.
“This whole idea of continuing started because I felt that I had a new mindset and I have introduced those projects I learned in prison and I was so happy because some of my colleagues in that group were happy to see me.
“In this support group we are specializing on fish farming, goat rearing, bee keeping, and growing vegetables so that we overcome all the problems that ex-convicts and people living with HIV are facing,” he said.
He went on to say that besides him, including the ex-convicts and people living with HIV he is also engaging prisoners.
” For those in prisons I remember, I went back to Mutoko Prison, and I donated 15 books to some prisoners who are into bible studies so that they have books to write in.
“They are also prisoners who are suffering from Alsace. I have managed to donate 22kgs of rice so that they won’t eat sadza.
“I have noticed that during the time I was in prison, we were facing some water challenges so as a group we have decided to visit the prison next month on the 23th of April with some pipes and other things that’s will help in curbing this problem,” said Simbi.
Simbi said that he has some important things that he needs so as to help more vulnerable people in the community.
“As a support group, we need broilers and their pallets, we also need goats, pigs, and vegetable seeds.
“We also need money so that we will be able to pay school fees for one man who is an ex-convict who is sick currently after defaulting on ARVs,” he said.
This support group consists of 164 people.
