A renewed sense of hope filled the grounds of Sheger Prison as the Sheger Prison Seventh-day Adventist Nursery/Preschool, operated by Living Parchment Ministry (LPM), officially opened its new academic year on Friday, October 17. This year, the preschool registered 17 children—an increase of 31% from last year’s 13 students. As more female prisoners are added throughout the year, additional children are expected to join the program.
A Visit of Encouragement and Care
Tessfom, a friend and supporter of LPM who was in Ethiopia for other engagements, visited Sheger Prison on October 15 and 16 after learning about the ministry’s work there. During his visit, he met with over 130 male prisoners, offering words of encouragement and prayer. He also brought 120 bars of soap, followed by a second visit where he shared a generous variety of fruits with 60 inmates.
He also visited the women’s section, where 24 prisoners gathered to meet him, listen to his message of hope, and pray together. The gesture was deeply appreciated by both the women and men, who expressed gratitude for being remembered and cared for in such tangible ways.
Tessfom later visited the prison church and held a discussion with Pastor Wakuma Wakgari, the prison’s chaplain. The male prisoners’ board members shared updates about their ongoing church building project and asked him to represent their concerns and hopes to others abroad. “Our hope is in God,” they told him, “and we will keep praying.”
Visits to the Preschool and Children’s Joy
Tessfom also visited the Sheger Prison Preschool twice—first to meet the children and pray for them, and later to deliver a colorful variety of fresh fruits for all the kids. He also ordered and delivered 25 new coloring books to help the children start their new school year with joy and creativity.
The mothers of the children, who are prisoners there, expressed their heartfelt appreciation. They shared that their children had not eaten fresh fruits for a long time and said the visit brought both nourishment and emotional encouragement.
New Feeding Program Launches with Donor Support
This school year also marks the beginning of a new feeding program at the Sheger Prison Preschool, made possible through the generous support of LPM donors. Thanks to these contributions, the children are now served some nutritious meals—home-baked bread, bananas, eggs, and rice—three days a week.
LPM also purchased a bread-making mitad (a baking griddle), allowing a mixed-grain bread to be baked fresh inside the prison. Both the equipment and the feeding initiative were made possible by donor contributions, ensuring that the children receive healthy and sustaining meals.
Inspector Konjit, head of the Children and Women Affairs Department at the prison, attended the school’s opening ceremony and commended the program for its impact on the children’s wellbeing and education.
Faith, Growth, and Gratitude
Pastor Wakuma noted the spiritual growth among the children and their families, expressing gratitude for the positive changes taking place. “There is a very good spirit of devotion here especially amongst the male prisoners,” he said, “and all are deeply thankful.”
LPM extends heartfelt thanks to all donors and friends who make such programs possible. Any continued support, by visiting our donation page here, to sustain the feeding initiative is greatly appreciated.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
