Going to Jail!

Happy to report that most of the sewing machines and other sewing training tools and equipment have been delivered to the jail. Class begins on Monday!
 The warden reports that 75% of the inmates are incarcerated due to drug peddling. Without job training, they will most likely return to selling drugs when released so they can feed themselves and their family members. We are hoping to break this cycle by equipping the women with sewing skills and assisting them with job opportunities.
Most of these women cannot afford attorneys here and are waiting for hearings (a judge hears their case, and sentences them, not a jury) to declare them innocent or guilty. They can be here 3-4 years before sentencing, some have been waiting for 9 years. Once found guilty, they are often moved to another facility in the Manila area.
Jails in this country provide minimal food, no meds or toiletries. If the inmates and their families are poor, then they have no way to buy soap, shampoo, laundry soap and other luxuries that we take for granted. Only half of the jail population have a bedspace, the rest sleep on cement floors. Only the extremely sick get transported to hospitals, and there is no medical facility at the jail. Occasionally medical teams and missions teams set up medical and dental clinics (Project Life has organized a few of these over the years and also bring food, soap, toothbrushes, etc. when we have funds to do that)and other organizations and politicians have helped in various ways.
Despite these conditions, despite lack of finances to make improvements, the jail personnel continue to do their best to help the inmates. Most of the guards are very kind and caring, They are well educated and well trained and very appreciative of any help they can get! They want to have programs in their jail to train the inmates and give them opportunities for jobs when released.
As for the inmates, their biggest complaint is that they miss family and many are lonely. They are somewhat frustrated that their hearings are often postponed due to judges schedules. The interesting thing is that many of those who attend the weekly bible studies have developed friendships and encourage and pray for each other. They seem to have a joy that many who are free outside the jail never experience!
Here are a couple pictures of the materials and machines in the classroom: