Over 250 inmates across the country successfully completed ‘Money Map’ training sessions hosted by Bank Windhoek and the Adonai Trust.
The sessions started in Walvis Bay in September with 86 inmates and were later rolled out to Elizabeth Nepembe, Divundu and Keetmanshoop in November 2018.
A media statement on the programme issued by Bank Windhoek on Wednesday said each session lasted for two weeks.
The Elizabeth Nepembe and Divundu correctional facilities situated in the Kavango East Region hosted 128 inmates, while the fourth and final Money Map training session that took place at Keetmanshoop’s correctional facility had 42 participants, the statement noted.
Themed ‘Your journey to financial freedom,’ the Money Map training sessions covered a variety of topics that educated the inmates on financial, spiritual and mental fitness as they serve their sentences.
Its main purpose is to guide individual inmates to achieve a biblical, joyful and stress-free financial future.
Pastor Martin Ganseb from Alpha Course Prison Ministry, who facilitated all four sessions, had nothing but praise for every participant.
“I was happy to see that they now look at money differently and understand how it works. The verses in the bible cemented the importance of saving and how to handle money wisely,” said Pastor Ganseb.
Various inmates who underwent training applauded the initiative, noting that it has made them better people.
“My goal now is to change from being an offender to becoming a job provider. I have learned a lot about God, finances and how to make the right decisions and I will share the knowledge with my family and friends,” said Ndara Noa, an inmate from the Elizabeth Nepembe Correctional Facility.
Michael Witbooi, from the Keetmanshoop Correctional Facility, also shared his experience.
“Before prison, I never thought about saving money. I would spend my entire salary on alcohol with my friends and had nothing the following day. I was in debt and hid when it came to paying them. This made my life frustrating and restless. The training has indeed changed my life,” said Witbooi.