Bolivian Friend visits Northern Ireland prisons
Magaly Quispe Yujra visited Friends in Northern Ireland
Whilst attending the recent Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) International Gathering in Maynooth, County Kildare, Bolivian Friend Magaly Quispe Yujra visited Friends in Northern Ireland. She was hosted by South Belfast and Frederick Street Meetings, as part of Lisburn Monthly Meeting.
Magaly visited two Quaker Service projects in Northern Ireland – Quaker Cottage, which works with families, children and young people in North and West Belfast, and the Monica Barritt Visitors’ Centre at Maghaberry Prison, in County Antrim.
At the Monica Barritt Centre, Magaly heard about a new volunteer scheme, which visits prisoners who may not have any external social contacts or visits.
‘Magaly was very interested to talk to those involved, as her own work with AVP sees her working with other volunteers in Bolivia within several prisons in and around La Paz,’ Marie Abbott of South Belfast Meeting told the Friend.
As part of her visit, Magaly spoke to South Belfast Friends about her work in Bolivian prisons, based on the AVP programme of communication skills, conflict resolution and the development of individuals. She also talked about the Bolivian Quaker Education Fund, which has supported a number of young Bolivians – including Magaly – through university.
‘It was a pleasure to meet Magaly, and I know that she found the visits to the Quaker projects very interesting,’ said Marie.
‘She was a charming and thoughtful visitor, and her work was very important and challenging. It is carried out by trained volunteers, working within a prison system that is in many ways so different from that in the UK that it is difficult to make comparisons.’
Magaly’s visit to Northern Ireland was arranged by Friends in Cork, who support the Bolivian Quaker Education Fund.
Friends in Cork also arranged for her to visit Meetings in England and Wales.
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