My prison ministry

It was in 2010 that I first started my apostolate in the female city jail. My first batch of students was 15 female inmates. I was tutoring them for their ALS (Alternative Learning System). It was a rewarding and fulfilling feeling when all of the 15 female inmates passed the ALS exam thereby making them high school graduates. The rest is history. It is now my 8th year and the feeling to continue my apostolate never diminished.

Right now I am involved in the basic literacy program in the female dormitory (Maa city jail) which is called Ray of Hope Village. I teach women how to read and write. These are female prisoners (also known as “bakasyonistas”) whose educational qualification range from grade 1 to grade 3 and whose age is between 20 to 50 years old. Mostly they come from very poor families.

I spend my own money in this personal apostolate of mine. I bring food for their recess time. I provide for their school materials. I would sometimes shell-out some extra money when the occasion would call for it.

Looking back to the last 8 years spent in the city jail to teach some female inmates the basics in reading and writing I realized I have followed what God has said in Matthew 25:37: “When I was in prison you visited me.”

I did not just make a visit for one hour or one day in Maa city jail. I have made more than a hundred visits in the last 8 years; once a week for 3 hours. And not because of money because I do not receive a salary for that but because the words of Christ “When I was in prison you visited me” remind me that our Lord is found when we meet Him in the life of others.

Actually, I found the essence of my being a teacher and was made complete through my prison ministry because it feels good and it sounds right to be teaching those who cannot pay me back in return.