Today I went with the Solidarity Choir to Villawood Detention Centre, where we sang for the people there. This is the third time I have been there with the choir.

We sang many songs of freedom and struggle in as many languages as we could, particularly where there were people of that nationality present - including Xue Ran Di Feng Tsai, Bella Ciao, Nicaragua Nicaraguita, March for Love (Korean), and a number of African songs. They loved it, and some sang along with great enthusiasm. We also took some snack foods too, because it had been timed such that the ones that were keen enough had to miss their lunch in order to see us.

Even though we were in a low security area of the detention centre, the security was rigorous - just like a gaol.

Although this place is not as bad as some in Australia, the worst aspect must always be the length of time people are kept in these places, with no indication as to how long they will have to stay. My heart really goes out to them. These are not criminals, and yet they are there without a trial, and do not even know the length of their "sentence".

I know that what we did is not able to help much, but one likes to think that at least maybe we were able to give a few people a little encouragement and hope, and the knowledge that at least some Australians care about their plight and are working for justice for them.

Jenny