POINTE BLANCHE:--- St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers helped spread some New Year's cheer to inmates of the Pointe Blanche and Simpson Bay detention facilities during separate visits on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1.
During the visits volunteers shared positive messages about global warming and healthy eating to the 53 inmates who participated (49 at Pointe Blanche and 14 at Simpson Bay); performed for inmates and shared gifts with the total prison population at both facilities (140 persons) as well as the on-duty staff (26 persons).
Twenty volunteers participated in both exercises.
The first set of 13 volunteers visited the Pointe Blanche Prison on January 31. Before the programme began volunteers assisted to clean the prison chapel, in which the programme was held. After a welcome song, introduction of volunteers and sharing of information about the Tzu Chi Foundation, volunteers delivered a performance of The Four Wives skit. The skit shares the message about the importance of positive karma and of being grateful.
Inmates were also given information about global warming, living green and the importance of healthy eating. This presentation was followed by the sharing of vegetarian Sushi; vegan ham and vegan cheese sandwiches to inmates to show them how tasty healthy food can be. New Year gifts were then presented to inmates and on-duty prison staff.
The visit and information shared was well-received by inmates, who appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Some inmates recognised volunteers from previous visits and were very happy to interact with them. A question and answer session, which was held, had inmates' attention and there was a lot of interaction amongst them. The skit was also well received and all the volunteers who performed in it did a great job.
Some inmates indicated that they looked forward to Tzu Chi's next visit in December.
Seven volunteers visited the Simpson Bay detention facility, on Sunday, where a similar programme had been conducted.
Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung thanked all volunteers who participated in the exercise as well as all inmates and on-staff prison staffers for their accommodation and gracious welcome and participation in the programme. Tzu Chi looks forward to continuing its annual visit to the prison at the end of the current calendar year.
Tzu Chi Press Release
