Jesuit Social Service Timor-Leste (JSS) believes that every prisoner should be cared for and given the chance to reform. With then JSS Director Fr EJ Gerilla SJ, we set out on a social intervention mission in 2019 with the permission of the National Prison of Timor-Leste. We taught female inmates how to weave the traditional Timorese cloth we call Tais and male inmates how to make handicrafts as income generating projects.
I share briefly the success stories of two former inmates. The first story is Amer’s.
I am Amer, a former military man. Before my imprisonment, I enjoyed life. I splurged on food, clothes, women, and vices. A turn of events led me to prison when I speculated that a neighbour used black magic to murder my friend. I was sad, angry, and intoxicated, and in this state of drunkenness, I killed the woman. I was imprisoned first in Becora before being transferred to Gleno prison, where I met many sisters and priests who helped change my life. I met God in prison through them. I am also grateful for the anger management and music lessons I had there. No matter how hard the past is you can always begin anew.
Learning to make handicrafts from used tyres gave me new wings. I must admit I was lethargic in the beginning and never wanted to be part of this project. But Sr Vidya’s words, “I think Amer is not interested in the formation programme, so let’s make him the leader,” caught me by surprise. I said “Yes” and ended up working very closely with the trainer and observing his every move. I realised that while doing this, my thought patterns were changing. The negativity and lethargy of my past slowly disappeared and a new, free person was emerging. I felt true conversion happening within me. From 18 years’ imprisonment, my sentence was reduced to 10 years and I was finally set free in July.
In the second week of my release, I felt a call to start handicraft work with a group of young people in my neighbourhood. Sr Vidya assured me that JSS would continue to support me. Today I am able to earn my daily bread while bringing hope to my community. I am extremely grateful to God and JSS for their intervention in my life.
The other story is that of Eem’s who is originally from Indonesia.
I am Eem, an Indonesian married to a Timorese. Five years ago I opened up a restaurant and bar. The business was doing well. I hired young Indonesian women to work for me. Since they needed the job desperately, I did not think of having them sign any written contract, until one day a complaint was launched against me and my husband accusing us of prostituting the women. I was broken. I could not prove my innocence and, worse, my husband left me. I was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016.
Though I am an Indonesian and of a different religion, in prison I received equal treatment and fair opportunity to learn. Spending time in prayer and decorating the chapel brought deep peace to my heart. I learned to use a sewing machine to stitch clothes and bags. I am grateful to JSS through Sr Vidya and Mana Carlota. Many of us found consolation in talking to sister. I gradually realised my life was changing. The desire to work hard and do something with my life began to surge. When I was released from prison in May, I decided not to go back to my previous home and situation. I wanted to make a new beginning. I rented a house and started earning my living by stitching masks and bags, and cooking food. The income is little, but the peace of mind and feeling of self-worth are beyond measure. I dream of saving enough money to be able to return to Indonesia and be reunited with my children. I thank JSS for the formation and continuous accompaniment.
The stories of Amer and Eem inspire us at JSS to continue walking with the excluded of society. Our next goal is to extend our services and accompaniment to the inmates of Becora prison, the biggest penitentiary in Timor-Leste.
Sr Vidya Francis RJM is the project manager of Jesuit Social Service Timor-Leste’s Social Innovation Project with the inmates of Gleno Prison.