Walking Together Bulletin No. 46
P.1 DEAR REPRESENTATIVE
KANNO AND SUPPORTERS OF THE "WALKING TOGETHER ASSOCIATION"
By Mother Marta G. Hernández Martín del Campos,
Superintendent of the Clarissan Missionary October 26, 2024
“For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink
because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward." (Mark 9:41)
Peace and
hope in Christ the Missionary! I
greet you all once again and thank you for always keeping us informed of your
activities through your newsletter. This is a wonderful way to make us participate in the
miracles that the Lord performs through the generosity of so many people, which
is recognized in the fellowship of people. In the midst of their fragile and small existence, we have brothers
who join hands and walk together towards a future of light and hope. The smiles
of the children are undoubtedly an expression of gratitude for the
"small" daily steps that make a big difference in their lives. In
fact, the efforts and unity of all the members of the "Walking Together
Association" continue to be a manifestation of the love of God's
Providence for our mission in Sierra Leone, which multiplies and bears fruit in
every act of generosity. Similarly, the various initiatives that are carried
out every day, such as the Momoyo pouches made under the guidance of Professor
Kaori Murakami of Hiroshima University, are both a sign of gratitude and a
testimony of the brotherly love between our two countries.
We continue to remember
and pray for all the inhabitants of the Noto Peninsula affected by the natural
disasters, where one of our sisters, Sara Elena Santos (Mexican, member of the
Tokyo Convent), will offer three weeks of service to accompany those who are
currently in need of assistance. Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude
to those who continue to make it possible for Japan and Sierra Leone to walk
together, with the certainty that the Lord Himself, faithful to His Word, will
reward them.
Tow pictures of Children. "The smiles on
the children's faces are undoubtedly an expression of gratitude for the steps
we take every day to make a difference in their lives."
P.2 “BUILDING OUR NATION BY EDUCATING THE GIRL –
CHILD” By Sr. Josephine Kamara, Regional
Superior Novenber 4 2024
Throughout its mission
in the country of Sierra Leone, the Congregation of the Clarissan Missionary
Sisters has dedicated her time and energy to the education of the Girl-child in
this part of the world.
This Academic year we
have embarked on it once more with renewed enthusiasm and hope. On 9th
September of the present year, Schools reopened for the 2024-2025 Academic
Year, we have therefore run through 8 weeks. Our activities include not only
academics but also the religious, socio-cultural, and sports/athletics, all is
aimed at giving the girls an integral education; since they are the future
leaders and mothers. In their hands lie the tomorrow of our nation, therefore,
we would like to prepare them well so they can make a difference in the future.
Most of the girls have
high aspirations and are enthusiastic about achieving their goals and dreams in
life. In spite of all the difficulties, most of them push forward to obtain the
best in the teaching and learning process. One important aspect we try to
promote among our pupils is self-motivation, so that they can make it in life,
because most of their parents do not have formal education nor the means of
helping them get a higher education in life.
As a school and as
religious women, we help the girls understand that everything in life requires
effort and self-discipline, with it our dreams can come true and the future of
the country is brighter. Thank you (in the original)
P.2 TO EVERYONE AT THE "TOMO
NI AYUMU KAI" (WALKING TOGETHER ) , WHICH I MISS VERY MUCH
By Sr. Bernadette Kazuko Shirahata October
22, 2024
I
am writing to each and every member of the "Walking Together" group
from faraway Africa. In early February, I had stomach problems and was suddenly
told to go to the Mile 91 clinic. I was planning to return to Lunsar in a week
or two, as usual. Around the same time, Sister Esmeralda, the principal of
Tamagawa Shirayuri Kindergarten, also returned to Mexico. Her knee condition
had worsened after a traffic accident, so she was undergoing surgery on her
knee and other parts of her body. However, due to various circumstances, the
surgery was postponed. But I couldn't be admitted to the
clinic because there were many tuberculosis patients there. I stayed at the nearby
Yonibana Monastery and did work that I could do sitting down. I spent my time
doing embroidery and church work.
Also, in early
February, the Rector and Vice Rector visited us and we had a very precious time
together. The Rector met with each of us and also went to a mass at a church 20
minutes away from Mile 91 and Yonibana Monastery. The Rector was very kind and took
great care of each of the members. In September, we had a mass to celebrate the
25th anniversary of the convent life of the director, Sister Patricia, and the
nurse, Sister Adriana.
I
returned to Lunsar on September 23rd and was able to work at the kindergarten. Sister Elisabeth is
now acting as the director instead of Sister Esmeralda. I teach music as
before, but I also draw illustrations of what the teachers have taught me. I
can't go anywhere by myself, but the sisters always come with me and help me. I
go back to the monastery at 12 o'clock to do sewing work. I'm told not to do
any work in my room after dinner.
The people here still
live very difficult lives. We religious also feel anxious about today's
society. However, just like Mary, I think it is important to always trust in
the Lord and pray for His guidance.
The Pope says,
"There is no true worship that does not lead to service to others."
Like the Good Samaritan, God does not ignore us. He knows our pain. He knows
how much we need His help and comfort. He draws close to us and heals us. Pope
Francis says:
"He knows our
pain. He knows how much we need His help and comfort. He comes to us and
embraces us. He waits even when we refuse." I will not be jealous when I
see young people walking the path of God with energy, I will humbly seek the
help of others even when I am unable to work for them, and I will always be
kind and gentle even when I am weak and can no longer be of use to others.
The burden of old age
is a gift from God, and I think it is a precious task to be grateful for
everything I have experienced, to reflect on myself, and to slowly remove the
chains that bind me to this world and the sadness that will allow me to return
to my hometown (heaven).
Thanks to all of you, our
children are able to enjoy delicious school lunches every day this year.
We are truly grateful. We appreciate your continued support. We sincerely pray
that God's protection will be with each and every one of you and your families.
Picture Sister Bernadette Shirahata
checks the health of the children every morning.
P.3 “MY DREAM COME TRUE”
BY Marian Adamsay Kamara,
University Scholarship Student (Nurse)
Becoming
a nurse has always been my dream since I was a young child. I was inspired by
the nurses (Religious Sisters) who took care of the sick people in our local
community – Mile 91 and I knew that I wanted to make a difference in
people's lives just as like they did. After years of hard work and
dedication, I finally achieved my dream of becoming a nurse and it has been the
most fulfilling experience of my life.
My
journey to becoming a nurse was not easy. I had to overcome many obstacles and
challenges along the way; I would like to thank the people
and sisters who supported me through the "Walking Together
Association". I had to study long hours to pass my
exams, but through it all, I never lost sight of my dream and I knew that all
of the hard work would worth it in the end. Finally, after years of studying
and working towards my goal, I graduated from nursing school with a good
result. I was filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment as I walked
across the stage to receive my diploma. I knew that I had finally achieved my
dream and I was ready to begin my career as a nurse and to save as many lives
as possible. Thanks be to God, I am now working at the Hospital in my
community, owned by the Sisters; whilst waiting for my license from the
government. My first job was at the maternity room (ward). I was nervous at
first, but as soon as I started working, I knew that I had found my calling. I
was able to use my skills and knowledge to help people in their time of need
and I felt like I was making a real difference in the world. I have had the
opportunity to work in many different areas of Nursing, from Maternity to
Pediatrics. Each experience has been rewarding in its own way and I have
learned so much from each patient that I have had the privilege of caring for.
One of the most memorable moments was when a patient who had been in a coma for
weeks woke up and thanked me for taking care of him.
It
was a moment that I will never forget and it reminded me of why I became a
nurse in the first place - to help people and make a difference in their lives.
Becoming a nurse has been a dream come true for me. I am so grateful for the
opportunity to care for others and make a positive impact in my community and
the world at large.
Nursing
is not just a job for me, it is a calling and I am honored to be able to do
what I love every day. (in the original)
P.4 “WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY”
By Zainab M. Conteh, Girl from
Guadalupe Secondary School3rd Grade of Junior Secondary School
My
name is Zainab M. Conteh, a proud pupil of Our Lady of Guadalupe Secondary
School, Lunsar. I am in the 3rd Grade of Junior Secondary School and I stay in
the Boarding Home during the school year, since my parents live in Freetown.
I
would like to share with you what makes me happy in life. First and foremost,
I’m happy when I'm with my family because they give me a lot of joy and
attention, we have fun together, especially with my two sisters – one elder and
the other younger than me.
Secondly,
I am happy when I am with my classmates in school, because we share knowledge
and exchange ideas, thereby learning each day from one another. Secondly, I am
happy when I am with my classmates in school, because we share knowledge and
exchange ideas, thereby learning each day from one another.
A third thing that makes me happy is helping
the poor and needy, example, assisting them, giving them food or cleaning for
them. We have a neighbor who is handicapped, so I like helping her do the house
chores whenever I go for holidays.
Last but not the least, I feel happy when I am
with my role model, she helps me to speak English better, by correcting me when
I make mistakes.
I am blest to be at the Our Lady of Guadalupe
Secondary School, Lunsar. Thank you. (in the original)
P.4 “MY FAMILY”
By Elsie Sesay A girl from
Guadalupe Elementary School, Class 3
My
name is Elsie Sesay. I am 9 years old and I am in Class 3. I live with my
mother, my brother and sister. Our father left us when I was 4 years old, so my
mother came to a town called Lunsar to search for a job and so help us get food
and education.
My
mother got a job with the religious Sisters at Our Lady of Guadalupe Secondary
School Lunsar, where she helps to wash dishes in the Boarding Home to gain a
salary.
My mother is a very hard working woman, she
works day and night to see that we get a living and go to school. My big
brother is 13 years old and in Secondary school and I have a younger Sister in
Class 2. I love my family very much and I ask God to bless them. (in the
original)
P.5 MY FIRST TIME IN A REGIONAL
CITY AND 8-DAY HOMESTAY
By Yuka Matsubara, doctoral course
enrollment, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo
Following my visit last September, I
was able to visit Sierra Leone again for a month from the end of June to the
end of July.
Last year was my first visit to Sierra
Leone, and the purpose was to get to know the city and prepare for my research. The main purpose of this second
trip was to visit Bo, the second largest city in the country, and to carry out
research for my doctoral thesis. Last time, I was looked after by a local
acquaintance all the time, but this time I set a goal to be able to move around
on my own, so I tried to go to the research site and buy the necessary daily
necessities on my own. Before I knew
it, I was crossing the main road by myself, memorizing the way to the research
site, and by the last week, I was giving directions to the driver of a keke
(three-wheeled motorcycle). Unfortunately, due to the tight schedule, I was not
able to visit Lunsar, but I had many exciting days in Bo and Freetown. In this
article, I would like to introduce the most memorable experience, the
difficulty of the rainy season, and my 8-day homestay in Bo.
The rainy season in
Sierra Leone peaks in August. Therefore, while my previous trip was towards the
end of the rainy season, this trip was between the beginning and middle of the
rainy season. Before I left, a Sierra Leone friend warned me that it would be
better to return home before August, because the rain would prevent me from
going anywhere. However, I hadn't been bothered by the rain during my stay last
year, so I thought it would be fine, but I realized the meaning of that advice
from the first week of my stay.
Immediately after
arriving, even though it was still June, there was heavy rain, strong winds,
and thunder every night, more intense than a direct hit from a typhoon,
something I had never experienced in Japan. In mid-July, the rain continued to
fall during the day, and at the end of July, the last week of my stay, a heavy
rain warning was issued in Freetown, and there were days when I could not leave
the hotel at all. The time I spent listening to the thunder in a hotel room
during the power outage caused by the storm and thunder strangely aroused
anxiety and loneliness... Every morning, I drove my keke through the flooded
roads to the research site, but on days when it continued to rain during the
day, appointments were often canceled because the rain made it impossible to go
to work. I wondered what would happen with the rain in August, and how the
people living in Sierra Leone would spend the year... It was the rainy season,
but it seems that the rain does not continue all over Sierra Leone. I stayed in
Bo for 8 days from July 4th to 12th, and it hardly rained during my stay, and
it seemed that the rainy days finally increased at the end of July. Therefore,
I was able to carry out my research smoothly in Bo compared to Freetown.
During the eight days
in Bo, I stayed with a Sierra Leone acquaintance. The house was about a
15-minute drive from the center of Bo, on a side street off the main road that
connects regional cities. While there were mud-walled houses around, it was a
fine concrete house surrounded by a sturdy wall. However, the infrastructure
development was still lagging behind compared to the capital, Freetown, and
there were power outages every day, cooking was done over charcoal instead of
gas, and showers every night were done with a bucket of boiled water drawn from
a well.
The first thing that surprised me during my
eight days there was the Sierra Leone's view of family. There were a total of
seven nephews and nieces of the couple who owned the house. In Sierra Leone,
the relationship is "siblings, including cousins," and children spend
their time going back and forth between their parents' and their parents'
siblings' houses. For example, if both parents work and are unable to take care
of their children, they can be looked after by their parents' parents or
siblings for a few months. It is common for the whole "family,"
including relatives, to raise children. When I think about it, the family that
I looked after in Freetown also lived with their nephews and nieces. This
custom is said to be fading in the capital, Freetown, but I think it is still
deeply rooted. I was also surprised to see that the other hand, they were very
surprised that I was living alone, and that in Japan, many people live alone
after graduating from high school to continue their education or get a job. I
was bombarded with questions about why I was living alone, leaving my family
and relatives, whether I was lonely, whether I could live alone, etc. From the
perspective of the people of Sierra Leone, I think that even if you leave your
parents' home to go to school or work, you can just go to a reliable relative's
house. Thinking about it, I realized that the fact that I only go back to my
parents' house a few times a year and my parents' parents' house once every few
years may be weakening my ties with my family.
I was also surprised to
find that it was the children who were primarily responsible for the housework.
As the school holidays were happening during my stay, the seven children at
home, ranging from elementary school students to university students, were
cleaning, doing laundry, and cooking all day long, starting at around 6am.
I was also surprised to find that it was the children who were primarily
responsible for the housework. As the school holidays were
happening during my stay, the seven children at home, ranging from elementary
school students to university students, cleaned, washed, and cooked all day,
starting at around 6:00 in the morning. This custom seems to still exist in the
capital, Freetown, and when I stayed with a host family for two days there, the
children were in charge of the housework while their parents were at work. The reason it took a whole day to do
the housework was because they didn't have washing machines, so they washed the
clothes by hand using well water, and cooked over charcoal. Each household chore
took a lot of time. For example, preparing dinner started around 3:00 p.m. and
took 4-5 hours. Instead, they used the time they spent doing the housework to
play, and while the ingredients were heating up, they played card games, played
music, danced, played tag, and watched Nigerian movies together. After
finishing my daytime research, I also went to the kitchen to play with the
children and learn their ethnic language.
This was my second visit, and I was able to
see new aspects of Sierra Leone that I had not seen during my previous visit.
My research also went smoothly, with results exceeding my expectations at the
city councils, district councils, and ministries I visited for my research. I
have not yet decided when I will return, but I hope to return as soon as
possible. I would like to plan to meet the sisters again when I do so.
P.6 COMMENTS FROM
SUPPORTERS (EXCERPTS)
*Every
time I see the bright smiling faces of young people in Sierra Leone in the
newsletter, I feel a deep gratitude for peace. Thank you as
always.
*Momoyo" means "Thank you" in the local language.
It's so cute. I pray that Sister Shirahata and Sister Esmeralda will
recover as soon as possible.
*Thank
you for the newsletter. Through the newsletter, I have learned that no matter
what the situation, "learning" enriches life. The power of education
is "great."
* We are always grateful for your work. Thank you for
sending us the 45th issue of our newsletter the other day. Sister Yoshida is
also working hard at the monastery work she has been asked to do while being
careful about her health. Also, thank you for visiting the grave. I think
Sister Negishi is also happy. We are grateful for your kindness. Please take
care of yourself as the seasons change... We are praying for Representative
Kanno and everyone else. Sr. Chieko Kamoi, Superior of the
Japanese Region of the Clarissan Missionary
P.８ Pictures （Top） Happy faces of OLG high
school students walking with Sister Josephine Kamara （Middle） Sr. Shirahata playing
the melodica for children. （Bottom） “I always encourage my
students to have high aspirations and to study independently. The future of
this country rests on these students ”(Principal Josephine
Kamara)