By Jurugo Emmanuel Ogasto
As part of its social corporate responsibility, MTN South Sudan donated assorted food items and sanitary pads to Juba Central Prison female inmates and Giada Hospital.
The items, worth ten million South Sudanese pounds, handed on Tuesday, include maize floor, white beans, cooking oil, sanitary pads, soap, and soft drinks.
A team leader, Mayor Moses Angona, chief of corporate affairs at MTN, said the donation is part of the Eid al-Fitr offer to the beneficiaries.
“We have joined the management of Juba Central Prison, specifically targeting the female prisoners, to come and join them to celebrate Eid, which is set to take place tomorrow,’’ he said.
Angona applauded the management of Juba Central Prison for allowing them to interact with the female inmates.
Major. General Anthony Oliver Legge, the deputy director of Juba Central Prison, expressed his gratitude to MTN South Sudan for the endless love and support shown to the female inmates.
“As the leadership of this particular facility, we are very grateful to them; we are so happy, and I want to tell them that they are not only committed to network services but of great importance,’’ he said.
Reglin Juma, a Kenyan national serving a 10-year imprisonment sentence at Juba Central Prison, said the donation, especially the sanitary pads, will help the female inmates.
“I just want to take this opportunity to thank you; it is not a small gift, and indeed, we appreciate everything you have done for us,’’ she expressed.
She said financial issues to help their families in their various homes are one of the challenges they are facing.
“Inside here we have challenges of gurus (money) to help our families at home; next time at least come and support us,’’ she appealed.
She disputes claims of intimidating and taking advantage of female inmates in the prison.
“We are not being intimidated; they respect us a lot. The claims you hear outside there—just go outside there and say the women who are here are okay,’’ she added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Eluzai Hakim, a medical director of Giada Military Hospital, appreciated the management of MTN South Sudan for the great help.
“We want to thank MTN for helping our patients; this means a lot to our patients.
He said power issues and a shortage of drugs are among the challenges the hospital is facing.
The medical director appealed to other companies and NGOs to support the needy in the hospitals.