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The
Christian Science Study Group at Mukobeko Security Prison in Kabwe,
Zambia, Central Africa
By
Ros Leach
 In
April 2005 Ros Leach and the Christian Science Church in Douglas,
Isle of Man, commenced to correspond with Shiyenge Davies (photo,
right) in the Maximum Security Prison in Kabwe, Zambia. Davies
was imprisoned in 1991 – his sentence was 30 years with
hard labour. He told us recently that he was just an accessory
in a robbery. He expects to be released in 2011.
When
he was first imprisoned he suffered greatly from loneliness –
he felt rejected by society and by family and friends. He was
also suffering from peptic ulcers and gastro-enteritis. A fellow
inmate introduced him to Christian Science, and although at first
sceptical that reading a book could help him, he eventually read
Science and Health with key to the Scriptures by Mary
Baker Eddy, meditating every word, and he was completely healed.
He has since had healings of malaria and a twisted ankle.
Davies
and his friend Kenny started the Christian Science Study Group
in 2003, and although Kenny has now moved to a different prison
the Group continues on and now has 33 members. The Mother Church
in Boston sends them Christian Science Sentinels and Journals
and the Christian Science Quarterly Weekly Bible Lessons.
 The
Prison was built in 1956 to house 400 prisoners and now it houses
nearly 2,000. There are 7 men in the cell with Davies. The sanitary
systems and facilities are totally inadequate. They only have
one meal a day – this consists of nshima (thick porridge)
and boiled beans in water and salt.
Davies
is involved in teaching (English and Biology) and counselling
those with AIDS. He used to work as a professional signaller and
signals instructor and radio/telephone exchange operator in the
Zambian Army. He has a wife Betty (who Ros also corresponds with)
and two sons Elton and Elvis.
What is needed besides Christian Science Books and Literature
- Food
(such as Nutrigen bars), dried fruit, dates etc
- Human
comforts (such as soap, toothpaste, towels)
- Writing
paper, pens etc. Art materials and paints
- Videos,
Audio Tapes, CDs and DVDs
- Blankets,
Warm clothing (for the colder months) Track Shoes
- Football
kit – footballs, jerseys, boots etc. (the prison has 12
teams)
- Money
(Ros has his bank account details) – this would enable
him to buy necessities for himself and the Group so that we
do not spend unnecessary money on postage.
(picture
painted by one of the group)
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CONTACTS:
If
you wish to write to the Group or send them any of their needs
write to
Shiyenge Davies
Christian Science Study Group
Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison
PO Box 80915
Kabwe, Zambia
Central Africa
If
you wish to donate money please send a check/cheque made payable
to "Rosalind Leach" and I will transfer it to Davies
for the Group.
If
you wish to contact Ros please write to ros@evedesign.com
or to:
Bradda
House
Bradda Road
Port Erin
Isle of Man
British Isles
IM9 6PQ
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