Thank you for always helping and praying
for us with a generous heart.
Here is a
summary of bulletin No.20 of “Walking Together”.
The top 2 photos on page 1 are from the
track and field event that was held between OLG School Middle/High School and
Maria Ines Vocational Institute. It has been awhile since last hearing cheers
fill the city of Lunsar. The bottom left photo is Sr. Shirahata and Sr.
Esmeralda, who became the principal after Sr. Shirahata. The right photo shows
Sr. Shirahata teaching the pianica(keyboard harmonica).
Along with the photos, Sr. Shirahata’s
report is on pages 1-2 She covers such things as the end of the Presidential
Election, her main task to maintain and operate the library, Holy Week and
Easter, and the start of the new school year. It seems during this time that
Sr. Shirahata suffered from diarrhea and vomiting and spent 2 days getting an IV.
However, she is now healthy and is thankful for being able to spend fulfilling
days.
From the last part of page 2 and on
page 3 is a report from Sr. Maria Roa Ventura, the principle of Maria Ines
Vocational Institute. She became the Sierra Leone District Manager in 1990,
where she met Sr. Michiko Negishi. She looks back at the days spent with Sr.
Negishi, how she gave all her passion to Sierra Leone until the day she passed
away. The Vocational Institute that was founded by Sr. Negishi, now has 175
students. The photo on page 3, is Sr. Maria Roa Ventura teaching in class.
From the second half of page 3, is a
thank you message from Rev. Fr. Emmanuel L.Sesay, the Manager of the School of
Peter Claver Junior and Senior Primary Schools. “Walking Together” has
contributed 600,000 yen to support with lunches.
On page 4, is a report from Ms. Yoshiko
Hotta, who lives in Ghana after marrying a Ghanian. She had heard stories of
the activities of Sr. Negishi and Sr. Shirahata, and that is how they
connected. Through their connection, Sr. Hotta felt the passion and love Sr.
Negishi and Sr. Shirahata had for Sierra Leone and wished one day to meet them.
It was not easy to make this wish come
true. However, she was able to find the opportunity to meet Sr. Shihahata last
summer, although Sr. Negishi had passed away. Ms. Hotta also visited Lunsar
last December, and she had the chance to introduce the Japanese culture. She
taught how to fold a crane (Senba-zuru) and also danced the traditional
Japanese “Kochi Yosakoi Dance”. Through the experience, Ms. Hotta learned that
the most important thing is “to do what you want, right now”. The photo on page
4 is Ms. Hotta and her husband with Sr.
Shirahata. Another photo can be found on page 8.
Ms. Ruchia Noriko Kitamura, （Vanclarista）, visited Sierra
Leone and talks about her visit from the second half of page 5. She visited for
3 weeks and volunteered weekly at Mange Kindergarten/Elementary School, OLG
Elementary/Junior/High School, and Mile 91 Clinic.
She talks in detail about the environment
that the students are facing in the classrooms. There was once an incident
where a student pointed to the Sister’s room and asked Ms. Kitamura to bring a
pencil from the room. Ms. Kitamura also talked about her experiences at the
clinic. As a nurse herself, she helped a child suffering from fever and handed
the mother 2 tablespoons of water.
Ms. Kitamura also took part in a
Vanclar gathering and says that the members there are like family now, as it
can be seen on the photo on page 5 as well as on page 8.
A letter from Ms. Tokiko Watanabe,
Associate Professor at the Tokyo University Institute of Medical Science, is on
page 6. She is currently doing research on the prevention and treatment of
infections in Africa. She visited Sr. Shirahata along with a professor at the
Sierra Leone University, and discussed about education on public health. Ms.
Watanabe is on the right in the photo on page 6.
The second half of page 6 is a report
from Ms. Hiyori Kato, a junior at Seisen Women’s College who visited to
volunteer. She was touched by how friendly Sierra Leone people were, but at the
same time was heartbroken at how life was worse than she expected. She took
part in the restoration activities after the flood in Freetown, and wished to
participate the second day as well, but regrets not being able to take part
after catching malaria. Ms. Kato wraps up her report with her desire to visit
once again. The photo is from the restoration activity and the women with the
hat is Ms. Kato.
The second half of page 7 are “voices
from supporters".
Page 8 is a bulletin from headquarters,
covering the General Assembly, Sr. Shirahata and Sr. Yoshida awarded for contributing
to society, and a report on packages arriving safely.
The top left photo on page 8 is Ms.
Hotta along with the people dancing the “Kochi Yosakoi” and on the right are
people folding the paper crane.
The bottom photo is Ms. Kitamura
(second from right) taking part in the Vanclar gathering. The right photo is
Maria Ines Vocational Institute, and on the bottom the newly set up drainage in
the kindergarten playground.
(Copy:Katsujiro Kanno,
Translation:Ayako Nokuo)