The Current

I became an activist when I was ten. That year, inspired by an Amnesty International campaign, I wrote a Christmas card to a man being held in a Greek prison.  Connecting with this victim of oppression through a letter, the distance between me - a kid in Massachusetts - and a young man unjustly imprisoned in Greece, seemed much smaller. I learned that, since letter-writing campaign started, he and his fellow prisoners had received thousands of letters.  The prison wardens noticed, and conditions began to improve—crowding and sanitation was addressed, and inmates were even allowed to see their families. Perhaps just as importantly, these prisoners’ hope was restored; they knew they weren’t alone.  The realization that I could help effect this kind of change in another person’s life, even as a child, was life-altering.

Right now, we have an opportunity to offer hope to another innocent man waiting in prison. Late last year, Joseph was accidentally shot by police. The same police later accused Joseph of injuring the police and stealing their weapons. Joseph was unjustly arrested and charged with Robbery with Violence - a capital offense.

Today, Joseph is waiting another day in a Kenyan prison, charged with a crime he did not commit. His wife (pictured) and five children are waiting too, for their father to come home.

But Joseph and his family have at least two reasons to hope. First, IJM lawyers are standing up for him in court. And second, friends like you from around the world are letting Joseph know that he is not alone by sending him messages of encouragement and support.

Today, we can remind Joseph that we are standing with him. Will you send Joseph a note of encouragement as he waits for freedom?

Eileen Campbell is the Director of Justice Campaigns for International Justice Mission. Justice Campaigns mobilizes people around the country in support of U.S. policies that will lead to the abolition of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.