Articles

A New Life

"I am from a professional background, had a good education and was running my own business. I lost everything due to alcoholism, my business, house, car and all my friends. While waiting for two years to be charged by the police, I did something about my alcoholism. I went to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and as a result went through my recovery process."

An Autoclave, a Dentist and an Assistant

Claudine, a dentist, and her husband Young, who acted as a dental assistant, provided dental care for 20 to 30 Ethiopian prisoners every day. Most prisoners needed tooth extractions due to severe decay. The older prisoners even had teeth decayed down to stumps. Many patients presented with dentistry needs that are not common to Australian patients, like a young man with a tooth abscess that was draining pus through his cheek.

Lives in Transition

Lives in Transition is an intensive and extensive Christian based pre/post-release program provided by Prison Fellowship Victoria for suitable prisoners approaching the last four to six months of their sentence.

PF Annual Report: Angel Tree

Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship program that is designed to reach the innocent victims of crime who are often forgotten – children of prisoners. In Victoria, more than 400 gifts were provided at Christmas 2004.

Angel Tree touches hearts

From a small number of gifts delivered in 1986 (about 14), the Angel Tree Ministry has developed under the leadership of our Chief Angel, Val. This year over 1500 gifts were distributed across Queensland to inmates children, using a network of volunteers, across all denominations. Val is not able to continue as Co-ordinator, but she is very willing to tell of the blessing she has received through her involvement in this program.