Hotel staff visit Bomana prisoners

INMATES not only felt blessed but sensed the freedom of Christmas when staff from the Sanctuary Hotel visited them at Bomana prison yesterday.
Madlin Yari, from Hela, said the visit brought back memories of Christmas at home and she longed to be with her family to celebrate the big occasion.
“In here it doesn’t feel like a Christmas to me, it’s just like an ordinary day, but when visitors like that came, I felt that the fever of the outside world and I recalled that: ‘Yes, it’s Christmas’.”
Her words reflected those of her fellow inmates’.
Yari said lot of people visited them and gave them gifts but yesterday meant a lot to them.
“I’m a mother and this Christmas I should stay with my family and celebrate, but unfortunately I’m not. I lost focus of every big occasion but when I see these Christmas gifts on the table I’m blessed and know that there’re people who care for my happiness,” she said.
The hotel’s human resource manager Josephine Bono said staff contributed to buy gifts, pizza and cupcakes for early Christmas celebrations.
“Our aim is to celebrate, give an early Christmas and New Year, interact and share encouraging Bible verses with you all,” she said.
Hotel manager Bella Pang said the hotel agreed to employ the inmates after they had served their terms in the jail.