Chandaria Foundation, MRM in drive to help rehabilitate inmates at Lang’ata Womens Prison

Chandaria Foundation together with Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM), Safal Building Systems (SBS) and other stakehodlers, has commissioned the construction of a workshop training unit at the Langata Women’s Prison. The new workshop, estimated to cost over Ksh. 8 million will support the prison’s newly established Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training that is set to equip the inmates with skills that they can rely on once released. The main training offered is in baking and tailoring. 

The workshop unit will be made from MRM’s Superior Safbuild Technology, an integrated pre-engineered Steel Building Solutions that cuts the overall site construction time by up to 50%. It is expected to be completed in February 2022. 

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony, Mr. Samwel Muhingo, Business Head, Safal Business Systems said: “We are pleased to be part of this event today. This is a very noble cause, that not only seeks to support and train the women but gives them a head start so that even when they are reformed and released, they can be able to start a life of their own. We believe that the skills they will gain from here will open new opportunities and the benefits will transcend their immediate families” 

The construction of this workshop will be completed in the next 15 weeks and will then adequately cater for the rising training needs in the prison allowing for more women to take up the trainings offered, added Mr. Muhingo. 

The units will be constructed from the Safal Pre-Engineered Steel Building Structures and equipped ready to use. The workshop will have among many others; stainless steel storage cabinets, tailoring machines to make hygiene products, reusable sanitary pads and facemasks, baking ovens and cake mixers, kitchen and tailoring fittings, water tanks, extractor hood in the kitchen and other key accessories. 

“This project is yet another demonstration of our Company’s core values; one of them being Care for our communities. Through this workshop we are helping the Women acquire new skills that will further empower them to boost their potential to take up new opportunities once back in the society. This initiative together with other planned sustainability activities will strengthen the Prison’s capacity to enhance reintegration and equip the women with alternative skills”said Manish Mehra, MRM Business Head. 

The workshop, set to benefit about 43% of the women in prison and will run like a profitable business making it self-sustaining and generate income for the women which can take to start of a new life once they are released. 

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, CBC Commissioner General of Prisons, Wycliffe O. Ogallo thanked the Chandaria Foundation, MRM and other stakeholders for its contribution towards the prison’s project adding that it had come at a time when the prison was experiencing a demand that it could not meet at the time. 

“Lang’ata Women’s Prison houses the largest number of women prisoners in Kenya and that means our population keeps growing by the day. It is always our hope that women who reform and leave the prison go out there and become better versions of themselves. We continuously work our best to ensure this happens by supporting the women by way of offering trainings and initiatives that build on their skills,” said Commissioner Ogallo, adding that this donation is a boost to the prison’s efforts in securing the best for the inmates.