I was wondering if you could help me. Long story short i was writing to a prisoner in the Max lifers section in Kabwe, Zambia. I have been writing him for about 3 years now, maybe a little more. I stopped writing him about 12 months or so ago, and received mail from him this week.
Just a nice polite letter wanting me to write once more. The thing is i believe he was just trying to scam me as their were many red flags so to speak. To be real honest, i sincerely don't care if he is trying to get money out of me, but i would like honesty if nothing else. Is this too much too ask? I wonder.
I did send him a very small amount of money $50US, and a parcel of clothes for not only him but others, and he received it with much thanks. He did talk about the harsh conditions, but i couldn't get over the fact that all these red flags were showing, and he was just "pretending". It is hard to write someone who you have no faith in. (well for me anyways).
One letter i received was an EXACT copy of one he sent the week before. His explanation in the second letter said he had sent me mail through someone else, but did not trust i would receive it so sent it again. I was like why would he have a copy, knowing they have little writing materials etc? It was WORD for WORD.
He is always respectful and polite, addresses me by sister.......
So i have a dilemma on my hands right now, part of me wants to reach out and just tell him the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Meaning how i feel, what i think and take it from there, but another part says i have more than enough on my plate now, just let it go.
What do you think in all honesty? How would you approach the situation? any words of wisdom?
I am not here to judge his actions, but do i help without prejudice? :confused:

Firstly 50US$ is a fortune to them at the current rate of exchange it totals 280000.00 ZMK. Wow he has hit the money Jackpot. As much as I feel for these guys, I suggest you let this one go. I have afeeling you are being used for your money, and I think his money has run out and he needs more. Why did it take him a whole year to contact you?

I really think you should pass this one up.

Thanks for your reply Keltria. Just to clarify, i only sent money after we had been writing well over a year, and although he didn't ask for it, did clothes so he could attend court. I tried hard to understand what amount would help him out at that time and buy him a few supplies.
I kinda feel bad knowing of his "perceived" situation, and he has written several letters before this week. It is *i* that have not replied.
If i am mistaken and he is genuine, do you think talking to the Chaplin (because he says he attends worship weekly) would give me a better understanding? I asked him could i go through the Chaplin and help him, but he asked me not to. So i kinda question why.
I received mail from someone else also at his prison, but never told him, and in this letter it asks...."has someone else from this prison disturbed You?" .....In this other persons letter it was such a long while ago i cannot remember the exact content, but nothing was said about my pen pal at the time.
It is crazy, part of me wants to help, no matter why he does what he does if he genuinely needs help, but not if he has many people helping him out and just lining his pockets if you know what i mean? Normally i do well with making choices, but for me this one is a hard one, because i am not sure, just going off my intuition which has never let me down.........aghhhhhh :(

I think your intuition is right... I have a feeling that he wants more than just friendship here. If you cannot go through the prison chaplain then it seems fishy. I know these guys have a lot of pals that they write.

Dear friend,

Perhaps you could contact Pastor Kwacha Mvula. He leads a section of a prison ministry group in Zambia. His work is widely respected among prison inmates, as well as individuals from other parts of the world (you can read about him if you do a "Google" search for his name; photos of Pastor Kwacha are posted, as well as articles about his work). Pastor Kwacha visits most of the prisons throughout Zambia, and knows many, many inmates. He has an e-mail address. Pastor Kwacha replies to e-mails pretty promptly. I have found him to be very, very honest (he was once a prison inmate himself, and has a real heart for the prisoners).

I also write to a friend at the Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison (my friend is in the "death row" section) in Kabwe. Pastor Kwacha knows my friend, and visits him regularly (approximately once each month).

Please send me a PM if you'd like Pastor Kwacha's e-mail address, or if there are any questions that I may be able to answer.

Several years ago, the Jesuits wrote an article about the conditions in Zambian prisons. This article is very enlightening, to say the least. I would strongly recommend that you read it. You can find it in a "Google" search for "Lusaka" and "prison" and "Jesuit."

I hope that this information is helpful! Blessings to you.

Sincerely,
Sara