Mr. Corley, accompanied by leaders of Prison Fellowship Rwanda, was warmly received by the management of Nyarugenge CF. He was taken on a guided tour of various sections, including vocational and skills training centers, where he was briefed on the significant role these programs play in the rehabilitation process and in preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society after completing their sentences.
During his engagement with inmates, many expressed their gratitude for the love, care, and support provided by Prison Fellowship Rwanda. They testified that the assistance they receive helps them rebuild their lives and families, embrace personal transformation, and regain their sense of responsibility toward their communities and the nation.
Celestin Sezibera, an inmate at Nyarugenge Correctional Facility, acknowledged his involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He said that Prison Fellowship Rwanda helped him seek forgiveness from those he wronged, a process that brought him healing and inner freedom.
“Accepting my crime after imprisonment was a very difficult journey,” he said. “But after following the teachings from the Gospel of Mark, I understood that Jesus came because of my sin. It humbled me deeply, and although it was painful, I accepted my guilt.”
He further revealed that he has written a book titled “Mpore Rwanda,” which recounts his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and explains how the genocide was planned and executed in his area of residence, Nyamirambo, in the City of Kigali.
Esther Mukamuganga, originally from Karongi District, is another inmate who has spent 13 years in Nyarugenge C F and has two years remaining before her release. She explained that initially struggled to accept herself due to the shame associated with her actions of killing, but later experienced personal transformation through the teachings she received from Prison Fellowship Rwanda.
“I embarked on a journey of learning and followed the teachings that I found meaningful,” she said. “They helped me move away from despair and guided me toward hope and salvation. They restored my confidence, and now I believe that when I return to normal life, I will be able to make a positive contribution to the people I left behind.”
Addressing the inmates, Mr. Andrew Corley emphasized that Inmates are the very reason Prison Fellowship International and its national branches, including Prison Fellowship Rwanda, exist.
“You are the reason PFI exists,” he told them. “We do this work because God calls us for, as a good and meaningful mission. Do not discredit yourselves, because your God does not.”
He added that Prison Fellowship International, through Prison Fellowship Rwanda, will continue to support inmates by implementing programs that prevent despair, promote rehabilitation, and prepare them for a dignified and productive life after serving their sentences.
