New hope for African inmate.
The poem is called Life in pink. To understand the significance of these words you should know that in Rwanda, inmates or prisoners are given pink attire as can be seen in the attached photo.
I will not go into why he is in prison, but to understand the true significance of the words expressed by this poem in its proper setting, you should know that Rwanda, similar to Darfur, has been a region affected by genocide and tribal tensions and hatreds for many decades.
When I read the poem myself, I had to cry, not out of sadness, but joy, it showed me that there is hope for man, good things are possible and changes can happen.
I dedicate this page to all people of goodwill, those working hard for their respective charities, each contributing in their own way and gracing the world with little bits of happiness, through their contributions, be it time, funding or other activities. Without people such as you the world would be a much harder place to live in.
I share my hope for a better life
To find hope, in a place where all hope is lost...
After the education I received from Criminon Africa, my thoughts have changed and my body too. I want to express the changes I made through by the following verses.Life in pink
It was a miserable day,
the accusations were closed.
Fully pink dressed
I cried as taken by a dose.
Facing the rejection of my case, I knew my future would be broken.
My plans keep on drying out
And where the hope is gone and maybe I will die.
Criminon visits me the moment I did not hope for anything.
With a cramped heart and jointed hands, an existing body but spirit far away.
Despair everywhere.
Criminon, life in pink!
It is time to have a look at the bright sight of life!
I have found the way to happiness, the way to change my life into better days!
Criminon yells life in pink!
Déo, your son will grow up, cover him with love!
He will build up a better world,
'Son of his father', they will say.
But he will end up as a great man.
I will not shout to him: 'get out of my way'!
I will rather guide him into this world.
That is how I will do it.
Criminon, life in pink!
Mother of my son, cry out in joy
I have nothing against you anymore, I believe in your loyalty.
And God, I follow my faith. You or nothing is my rule.
Criminon, life in pink!
The truth is my life, however the others shame on you.
Illegality is a cross, everyone who fails in it
ends up in prison, that's the rule, believe me.
No shelter, only you.
Criminon, life in pink!!!
I pray for God and I believe in him,
without judging the God of other ones.
Work is my support. Competence is my fruit.
I will live well, without any troubles.
Criminon, life in pink!!!
This planet is also mine! This planet and I have an alliance.
I do her good for my proper goodness.
Her prosperity is also mine.
Criminon, life in pink!
I wake up, where I am, Criminon is with me.
Even in pink, life is pink! No dose, I have the hope and I work.
It is tomorrow, the day out of these walls.
Criminon, life in pink!!!
J.N.U.
Prisoner, Gitarama prison
For more information about the Criminon and the Criminon Program visit the Criminon Rwanda website.
A little more information about the program
The Way to Happiness Foundation
The Way to Happiness Video: The grand opening of the Way to Happiness Foundation: Healing the wounds, forging bonds of peace and mending old rivalries. On October 4th, 2003, business leaders, law enforcement and government officials gathered in Glendale, California for the Grand Opening of the International Way to Happiness Foundation. To date, more than 77 million copies of The Way to Happiness have passed from hand to hand in 135 nations.
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Linda Sereda wrote
It is truly wonderful to see the kind of change that Criminon has made for this person. It would be ideal to have the Criminon program in every prison so that every criminal could actually be reformed.
Posted November 08, 2008
Norm wrote
WOW, That poem certainly shows some amazing results. It certainly beats the pants off of people just "doing time" and psychiatric treatment which statistics always show only make better criminals instead of rehabilitated ones. Great work Criminon!
Posted November 04, 2008
Annake wrote
What an incredible poem and I feel truly humbled to see such joy of living and hope. If this is what your program offers, more power to it! Keep doing the good work!!!!
Posted October 30, 2008
Janet Stein wrote
That is a very moving poem. The Criminon program has rehabilitated many and this inmate speaks for all of them in his poem.
Posted October 28, 2008
Maggy wrote
I am very moved by the poem Life in Pink. It gave me such a good reality on the Criminon program. Wow. Just wow.
Posted October 28, 2008
