Letter from Proscovia

You may have read my blogs about Proscovia, a Ugandan woman that I happened to meet while in Nepal in 2009. She has been imprisoned there for about 6 years (with over 10 years to go) on drug trafficking charges. If you don't know her story, please look for it in this blog.

 

It is hard to believe that almost a year and a half have passed since I've heard from or about Proscovia. No word since April 2012 when I saw her for the last time. It's not that surprising though given how restrictive the prison had become a couple years ago. I know that no emails means no visitors for Proscovia, and that saddens me as I know how much of a lifeline they are for her. They break up the monotony of daily prison life, give her something to look forward to, and most importantly keep her connected to friends and family. And as an added bonus sometimes visitors bring her supplies, treats etc that help her get by in her physically and emotionally deprived environment.

 

I was thrilled to see "Proscovia" in my email one day last month. She is often in my thoughts and even more so in August as we share the same birthday month. Well, it turns out that Sara, a volunteer, was able to visit her and through her Proscovia had sent a brief email to friends asking for news from us. Sara wrote that she would be seeing Proscovia on her upcoming birthday and that she hoped to have some letters to share with her that day.

 

I wrote her a really long email trying to summarize what had been going on in my life since I left Nepal keeping in mind that Sara would be reading about my life, as would the prison guards. Although I'm not sure why they bother as I'm pretty sure they can't understand a word.

 

Anyway, a couple weeks later I received the following short email from Proscovia through Sara:

 

I hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration. May I request that next year we should celebrate it in the same country? We mark it in yours as its always a coincidence down here that its closed some festival. No visitors allowed.....Think about it - miss you!

Bye

Proscovia

 

I thought it was weird that her message was so brief, and it left me craving for more news. The next day, as if she knew what I was thinking,, the following email was received:

 

Well, Crystalgee, you know my craziness seeing you last time, sure you noticed. I have upgraded, imagine ages without receiving a white plain paper with prints on it (ie. email). Here I was getting the papers on my birthday, guess what it was like. Thanks soooo much for my greetings. Sure I am well, taking care of myself, only the teeth are still not fine, it is a long story but briefly: - we have a private "hospital" with a private dentist whenever he puts a filling in the tooth I will not eat for 2 days just to save the filling for a week. When I complain he suggests a "tooth cap" silver metal in a shape of a tooth and he asks for between 5k to 8k. The nurses said, complaints are too many he is going to get sacked so I stopped attending with my gaps still hanging. My root canal that you gave me money for never got completed since it was bad timing (when the hospital got opened). they refused us to go to Bir hospital (public one) this jail hospital is 10 mins walk and the building is decent, not the treatment. I got X-ray on my arm when they tried to view it at Bir Hospital wasn't clear, so I had to get another exposure to X-ray. Nothing in that place makes sense only the blood they take from people for any lab requests is real. I am scared I will not be able to smile in the future or to bite the "Nyama Choma" (BBQ) African favourite.

 

The last festival here last week had goat slaughtered, till it was eaten, finished. I could not breathe. The fumes were not fair to me. What is happening to me? No more meat eater especially fresh??

 

I think Surendra is going soon. Better lock the girls up. Yes, I got your regards from his gal. Thanks indeed. Though I was jealous why I was not hearing from you directly, why him, like after their romantic talk, then my message. hahahaha. not really, but I was excited. Maybe this Dasain he will be out of here.

 

Nicole (Proscovia's daughter) is fine, hope to speak to her this week. I received letter from Nicole personally thanking me for the gifts. That means all that you sent got to her. How lovely!!! I have no words to thank you, how to express my gratitude, don't know. For the start "asante sanaa". You are one of those that led her to the next level of schooling my dear. All she needed was inspiration, words of encouragement and to show her mum loves and cares about her still. You helped me deliver all this to her. It was a moment which sure she needed me around but it put my mind to ease a little compared to all that I am going through.

 

Thanks indeed.

 

Are you in touch with Alfred (Proscovia's uncle)? He lost his first daughter to Cerebral Malaria, just in case I informed you already please don't mind me repeating myself. I aint proper in mind. I received news that the lad from Macau who has got intestine problems is in a coma. She got admitted a few days ago at Bir. Let's pray for her.

 

Proscovia

 

Thanks a lot. I enjoyed the stories but you missed that one of you when you had just left here to Toronto. I miss you - Happy birthday

 

I am so grateful that someone took the time to keep us connected. And I am sure Proscovia is over the moon as can you imagine 1.5 years locked in a foreign prison with no ability to communicate with your friends and family? Thankfully she is able to find a way to make calls to her daughter Nicole as I am sure those calls keep them both going.

 

It sounds like her teeth issues continue (be thankful for our great dental care here folks!) but otherwise she seems to be hanging in. I can't imagine.

 

I plan to write to Sara to thank her and see how long she will be in Nepal. Hopefully she will be there for awhile yet so we can get some more emails in as there may not be another opportunity for some time. I will keep you posted. Hope you enjoyed the update on Ms P!