» 03/20/2010 12:06 PHILIPPINES Through the Gospel Catholic volunteers help prisoners to hope for a new life by Santosh Digal The program is run by Caritas and the Philippines Association of lay Dominicans. Since 1976, over 10 thousand prisoners have been reintegrated into society through training and psychological and spiritual help inside and outside prison.
Manila (AsiaNews) - Since 1976, over 10 thousand former inmates of prisons in Manila have started a new life with the help of volunteers from Caritas and the Association of Lay Dominican. They follow the prisoners during the period of their sentence and after their release with training and religious and psychological support.
"Helping our brothers in prison is for us a sort of apostolate - says Rupert A. Necolas, a volunteer at Caritas - They need to return home to start a new and decent life. " "With our work – he continues – we try to bring hope and faith into their lives."
In the period of Lent, the association will monitor the reintegration of 30former detainees whom they have accompanied over the years in prison.
"I fell in with a bad crowd and one day I was involved in a robbery - says Dagohoy, a boy of 23 years - I was in prison for several years and there I realized my failure." In recent years Dagohoy followed the training courses carried out by volunteers. "Thanks to them – he adds - I started to have hope and regain faith in God that allows me to come back into life with renewed strength and grace."
Atohn Javier, is instead 21 and he has spent several years in prison for robbery. "I was a waiter in a restaurant, but I always had the urge to steal - he says - I confess to being guilty, but being in prison I started to work towards a new life with the help of volunteers who have guided my spiritual renewal”. Javier says he wants to put God at the center of his life, follow his teachings and seek employment. "After I was released - he says - I started a new life and together with my family this year I am experiencing Easter”.
