2025年9月16日火曜日

本部総会を終えて

   本部では913日(土)に2026年度(20259月~20268月)の本部総会が開催されました。   当日の出席者は9名でしたが、事前にすべての議案についてアンケートを実施し、諮問委員を初め、19名の本部委員全員から回答をいただき、出席できない議員からは委任状をいただいての開催です。当日、急な体調不良のために欠席された1名を除き、18名の出席で定足数を満たして開会されました。

主な議案は下記の通りです。

  2025年度の活動報告 

  2025年度決算報告 

  2026年度の活動計画と予算案 

  2026年度 年間スケジュール 

  会報の編集計画 

  本部スタッフの役割分担 

  諮問委員からの質問・提案事項について 

   その他

いずれの議案についても率直な話し合いが行われ、すべてが承認されました。その内容のすべては、927日発行の会報49号にて報告いたします。           

 この総会では、グッドリッチさんご夫妻の提供によるコンテナを利用した支援物資輸送再開の可能性が大きな話題になりました。実現に向けて、全力で取り組んで行きたいと思います。

 

*本部では、本部スタッフとして、また諮問委委員として加わっていただける方を求めています。可能性のある方は、本部までお知らせください。

 

総会のありました913日にシスター白幡から次のメールをいただきました。

「私たちの幼稚園は1990年に始まりましたから今年で35周年です。神に感謝そしてともに歩む会の皆さまにたくさんたくさんの感謝です。今日はともに歩む会の総会でしたね。一日お祈りしていました。シスターしらはた」              菅野勝治郎


                        総会を終えて

 

2025年8月27日水曜日

本部総会の案内

 

残暑とは名ばかりの猛暑が続いていますが、お元気ですか?

本部では今、831日の年度末を前に、総会の準備と会報49号の編集に追われています。

本部総会は913日(土)の午後2時から本部にて開催します。総会議員は本部委員ですが、支援者の皆さまの陪席も歓迎いたします。陪席を希望される方は、本部まで電話かメールかで事前にご連絡ください。


       

       落合雄彦先生、金田知子先生ご夫妻と

      

 上の写真は、820日にルンサを訪問された龍谷大学教授の落合雄彦先生から送っていただいたものです。会報50号にて、訪問記事を寄稿していただきます。

 下の手紙は、シスタージョセフィン地区長からの最近のメールです。この後、シスターエスメラルダからの年次財務報告も届きました。沢山の方々の力をいただいて会報49号も生まれつつあります。総会を経て、927日の発行になります。ご期待ください。(菅野勝治郎)

                                              

菅野様

主の御名においてご挨拶申し上げます。 長年にわたる絶え間ないご支援に心より感謝申し上げます。

年次報告書を手紙形式の添付書類としてお送りいたします。ご希望に沿う内容であれば幸いです。もしそうでない場合は、修正や変更すべき点について、遠慮なくお知らせください。

大変申し訳ありませんが、写真は月曜日にルンサに戻るまでお送りすることができません。この1週間ほど、私は別のコミュニティであるルンギに来ています。他の若いシスターたちが年次の黙想会に参加しているため、彼女たちに付き添うためです。ここではインターネットの接続状況が非常に悪く、特にこのところの激しい雨でさらにひどくなっています。

このメールは、インターネットの電波を拾うために外に立って携帯電話から送っています。しかし、コンピューターは全くインターネットに繋がりません。

シスター・ベルナデッタとシスター・エスメラルダの写真は、携帯電話から送ってみます。それ以外のコンピューターにある写真は、また後日お送りします。ご理解いただきありがとうございます。 シスター ジョセフィン カマラ                               

2025年7月28日月曜日

今年度最後の送金

 ともに歩む会では、年度末を8月31に設定しています。本部では728日に、今年度最後の支援金として、10067.10ドル(約150万円)を送金しました。内訳は2ケ月分の給食支援費(120万円)とOLG医療支援費(10万円)、マイル91クリニック支援費(20万円)で、これで、今年度予定していました支援金は全額送金できたことになります。前年度の送金計画よりも20万円ほど増額した支援額予算でしたが、主の守りと支援者の皆さま方のお力添えにより、目標を達成できましたことを心より感謝いたします。現地からの報告を待って、会報の49号にて、決算報告や次年度の予算案をお知らせいたします。この後年度末までお送りいただく支援金は次年度911月の給食支援費として次年度に繰り越します。

 

 会報48号を読まれての感想を諮問委員の濱本緑さんが寄せてくださいましたので、以下に紹介させていただきます。

                    (菅野勝治郎)

          お帰りなさい!シスターエスメラルダ
 
              

 

会報48号を拝読いたしました。48号は、際立って内容豊富で濃いものでずっしり読み応えがありました。

総長さんのSr.マルタは会報を隅々まで読んでくださっているようですね。こちらの発することを受け止めてくださりコミュニケーションが取れていると感じるとうれしくなります。

1ページ目の調理実習の写真はちょっと意外でした。衛生概念も含めて学ぶためでしょうか? 実習服に着替えているのですね。

Sr.ジョセフィン地区長はいつも前向きですね。未来の可能性を信じている先生と向き合うことができると生徒は明るい希望を持てるし、とても励まされるでしょうね。

能力を高める努力をするよう励ますと同時に責任を持つことも教えることにも重点を置いているのですね。

日本はじめ富んだ国の政治家や会社の幹部達の発言を聞いていると、心が寒くなることがしばしばあります。ファーストとは何を第一とするということか?(これは愚痴です。)

シスター白幡には2月は日本から二組のお客様と、前地区長のSr.エリサも訪れ、3月にはSr.ジョセフィンの霊名のお祝いもあり、文章からシスターの嬉しさがあふれていますね。

君島さんや落合雄彦さん紗雪さんが遠い日本から訪問くださっている様子がよくわかりました。

今はネットを介して簡単に対面で話せますが、自ら体を運んで直に接しないと肝心なことはわからないのがよく理解できます。大きな働きを喜んでなさっておられる3人の姿に心から敬服しました。

高値のお米や特別の日のお菓子について、Sr.白幡からは嘆きより皆で分かち合った喜びがいつも伝わってきます。同じ話題でも私を含めた周囲の日常会話には不平や批判が満ちています。いつも喜んで生きておられる源は祈りでしょうか。

マンサレイさん、まっすぐな素晴らしい夢!ワクワクします。是非叶えられますようにお祈りします。

マックフォイさん、是非是非医師となり、大統領となり、シエラレオネが住みやすい場所になるように頑張ってください。努力の途中でくじけないようにお祈りします。

バングラさん、大学生活の現実に立ち向かい、苦労の真っ最中なのですね。日本では「若いころの苦労は買ってでもせよ(若い時に経験する苦労は、その後の人生において貴重な財産となり、困難を乗り越える力や、成長の糧となる)」と言われています。尊い苦労だと思います。貫けますようお祈りします。

落合沙雪さんのシエラレオネ滞在記、文面から動画が飛び出してくるような面白さで一機に読みました。そして思わず落涙するほど心が揺さぶられました。若くて柔らかく自由な感性を持った沙雪さんには、これからも広い世界でたくさんの人々と出会い、国や民族の枠を超えた未来を切り開いて行ってほしいと心から願います。高齢者や障がい者、移住者への医療にかける費用を、無駄遣いかのように扱う世論が広まりつつある中で、沙雪さんのような心情を持った若い医療者が居られるのを知り、ほっと安堵しました。

田中マルタさんのフランシスコ教皇の逸話は、知らないことばかりで楽しく読ませていただきました。それも、彼の祈りや言葉や行動や文章などから、私が勝手に想像していた姿そのもので、とても嬉しかったです。大司教になっても地下鉄やバスを乗り継いで通勤したり、親しいタクシー運転手さんとのエピソードは想像を超えていましたが・・・。彼とは一度もお会いしませんでしたが、私の心の中でとても親しい位置に存在を感じていましたし、今もそうです。

シスターエスメラルダが回復されてシエラレオネに帰ることができて良かったです。シスター白幡の喜びはどんなでしょう。

シスター方はみなさん、神様と周囲の人に信頼しているからでしょうか、本当に忍耐強いですね。見習わないといけないなと思いました。 この度も読みごたえのある会報をありがとうございました。              (諮問委員 濱本緑)

2025年7月11日金曜日

7月を迎えて

 7月も半ばを迎えました。猛暑は一休みかと思いましたが、各地の大雨のニュースが続いています。アフリカからの留学生が「気温の高いのには慣れているが、日本の夏の蒸し暑さには驚いている」と話しているそうです。

本部では今、今年度最後の支援金送金の準備を進めています。2ケ月分の給食支援費とOLG医療支援費、マイル91クリニック支援費で、7月末には送金可能になることを願っています。

 

 スタッフの田中マルタさんが次の資料を届けてくださいました。今のシエラレオネの子ども達の窮状を理解するために、そのまま紹介させていただきます。  (菅野勝治郎)

 

 ニューヨークタイムス紙に6/206/286/29と断続的に掲載されたトランプ政権による海外支援の歳出削減に対する批判記事の中にシエラレオネに関するものがいくつかありましたのでご紹介します。記事中の一文で前後の文脈の記載がなく、その上google翻訳のためこなれていない日本語となっており、わかりにくいかもしれませんがご容赦ください。(田中マルタ)

 

記事1

シエラレオネの診療所で、スタッフはH.I.V.検査キットが不足しており、妊婦にウイルス検査を行うことができなくなったと報告していました。医師や看護師が、どの女性がH.I.V.陽性かを把握していなければ、出産時の感染を防ぐことはできません。

5月、ここマケニの町で2人の子どもがH.I.V.に感染して生まれたと、医療従事者が私に教えてくれました。一人はイブラヒム・コロマという名前で、数日以内に亡くなりました。もう一人は、H.I.V.に関するスティグマ(偏見)を避けるため名前を明かせませんが、生存しています。

 

記事2

私たちはまた、こうした死が、いかにして安価に防げるかを目の当たりにしています。

シエラレオネのある診療所で、私たちは13か月の少年アブカマラに出会いました。彼は重度の栄養失調により、ただれた皮膚と棒のような手足をしていました。母親のマリアトゥ・フォルナーは、私たちを彼女の村、奥地のブッシュにある村に招いてくれました。

 

その家族は困窮し、苦しい生活を送っていました。両親と4人の子どもたちは、電気もない藁葺き屋根の泥レンガの家で、ひとつのマットレスを共用していました。その日は午後早い時間だったにもかかわらず、家族の誰もまだ何も食べていませんでした。

 

フォルナーはできる限りのことをしています。彼女は3ドルの全財産を使い、アブカマラのために伝統的なハーブ薬を得るためにドレスを物々交換しました。そして彼女は、アブカマラを診療所に連れて行く長い道のりを歩き、ついにそれを見つけたのです ―― 奇跡のピーナツペーストという助けを。

 

診療所は彼女にそのペーストを与え、11つの小袋を渡しました。それによって、アブカマラはほぼ確実に回復できるだろうとされました。

 

このピーナツペーストには、タンパク質、微量栄養素、そして子どもの体が必要とするすべてが含まれており、味も良いため子どもたちが喜んで食べます。費用は11人あたりわずか1ドルです。

 

「プランピーナット」とは聞き慣れない略語「R.U.T.F.Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food:即時使用型栄養治療食)」というブランド名で知られています。この治療用食品は、すでに何百万人もの子どもの命を救ってきました。

 

R.U.T.F.のパッケージの多くは、ロードアイランド州の「エデシア・ニュートリション」という企業で製造されており、この会社はジョージア州の「マナ・ニュートリション」とともに、R.U.T.F.製造のリーダー的存在です。

 

ロードアイランド州とジョージア州は、自分たちの州を「R.U.T.F.州」と呼ぶナンバープレートを発行したいと考えるかもしれません。それほどまでに、誇り高い実績です。この2州のR.U.T.F.工場は、世界中の子どもたちの命を今も救い続けています。 ―― これも歳出削減によって過去の話になりつつあります。

 

 記事3

シエラレオネは、ひとつの革新を先導しました。

それは、アフリカで初めて、すべての妊婦に複数の妊娠期ビタミンを配布した国となったことです。これにより、胎児の栄養失調を効果的に減らすことができています。

「私たちには解決策が山ほどあります」と語るのは、ヘレン・ケラー・インターナショナルのショーン・ベイカー氏です。同団体は栄養と視力障害に取り組む国際機関です。

しかし栄養失調との闘いで世界をリードしてきたアメリカは役割を放棄しつつあります。

4年ごとに開催される2025年の「成長のための栄養」サミットに正式な代表団さえ送りませんでした。

シエラレオネの集落風景






 

2025年6月28日土曜日

会報48号を掲載しました

 47号を掲載しました。 上のメニューバーの「会報」をクリックし、その中の「会報48号」をダウンロードしてご覧になってください。

このブログの下に、会報48号の英語による訳文とスペイン語による訳文が載っています。メニューバーの「英文ブログ」では、過去のすべての会報の英語・スペイン語による要約文を読むことができます。

Walking Together Bulletin No.48

 

Walking Together Bulletin No.48

 

P1

“TO REPRESENTATIVE KANNO AND

SUPPORTERS OF WALKING ROGETHER”

APRIL 12, 2025

BY MOTHER MARTA G.HERNANDEZ M. DEL C.,

SUPERIOR GENERAL OF
THE CLARISSAN MISSIONAEY SISTERS OF THE BLESSED SACRAMWNT

 

 

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).

 

May God's love and mercy fill our lives with joy and hope! Once again, we thank each and every one of you for the wonderful news you have shared with us through the newsletters, photos, and messages from our supporters who continue to generously sow seeds of hope for our beloved brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone.

We share the joy of children and young people like Hannah Z. Forna who enthusiastically participated in the cultural and sports activities organized by the school. We also commend Catherine B. Aruna and Kadiatou Z. Sesay for their desire to serve others and their dedication and enthusiasm in their university studies and internships. Thank you again! We hope that how many people make these experiences possible will be transformative for each child and their family.

We would like to thank Miyoko Fukuyoshi and Ms. Miki Hayashi for their efforts in organizing the flea market, and Father Sekine and all the participants for their valuable contributions. On behalf of all the sisters in the mission of loving Sierra Leone, we pray that the joy of Easter will fill your hearts and that the certainty of Christ's resurrection will illuminate your lives with hope that will never cause you to lose heart. Happy Easter. May God bless you!

 

P2.

“DREAMING BIG – THROUGH EDUCATION”

APRIL 13, 2025

By Sr. Josephine Kamara, Regional Superior

As we continue to journey along with our Pupils at the Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Lunsar, we never stop dreaming big and bigger every day and we encourage them to do the same, for everything in life is possible for the one who makes the effort to achieve set up goals.

Most of our pupils have expressed the fact that they want to be successful in life, but success we tell them, has its own implication – that is responsibility and hard work. For this reason, they are encouraged to do their daily best to make a difference in life. As most of them do not have parents with a formal education, the work of motivating them academically remains in our hands, so we have a dual responsibility towards them – serving as parents and as teachers. We however do it willing, hoping that they attain their dream in life and make a difference in this world.

Thank you very much for being part of the journey with our pupils and students.

A wise man once said, “You must dream big dreams for only big dreams have the power to move the minds of men.”

 

“TO EVERYONE I MISS FROM THE WALKING TOGTHER ASSOCIATION”

APRIL 23, 2025

BY SR. KAZUKO SHIRAHATA

Hello to everyone at the Walk Together Society. It is now 3:25pm on April 23rd. It must be night in your area. I don't listen to the radio, watch TV or read newspapers, so I don't know much about Japan or the world.

On February 20th, a volunteer from Spain and Kimijima-san came from Port Loko. He is always so kind, even though he is busy. He brought a new computer and some Japanese food. He also brought a lot of staples for the wall that Representative Kanno had prepared. Thank you so much. Kimijima-san was so kind as to teach me how to use the new computer, even though I didn't know anything.  Kimijima-san is always so kind, but this time he was even more kind. Thanks to him, I am able to use the computer.

On February 26th, Professor Takehiko Ochiai from Ryukoku University and his niece Sayuki came to Lunsar at 6:45am. They brought lots of Japanese food and medicine, including curry.

After a short break, we went to the elementary school and kindergarten. At the kindergarten, the children and teachers danced and sang songs to give us a warm welcome. For lunch, Professor Ochiai and Sayuki made curry rice using the curry roux they had brought with them. It was delicious.

P3.

It was 3:30 in the afternoon, the hottest time of the day, but I set out with a black parasol to a health center in the same town. Professor Ochiai asked the staff many questions. What kind of people come? Do they charge a fee? and so on.

I had looked up the names of children and parents who had been absent from kindergarten for more than a week, so I looked them up on a map at the center and visited them. Both the children and the parents were very happy, and I was very happy too.

On the way back to the monastery, we came across a private clinic. It was run by an Egyptian. This clinic had more medicines and was cleaner. Prof. Ochiai asked many questions there as well. We had them rest well that night.

The next day, on the 27th, we went to Maria Ines Vocational Training School and met with about 30 students who were mothers. The principal, Sister Sandra, gives them a bag of rice, milk, and necessary clothes every month. We often see malnourished children here. If they are too thin, we take them to the hospital and have them admitted.

On the 28th, Prof. Ochiai and Sayuki went to Mile 91 Clinic. I wanted to go too, but I had to teach at a kindergarten, so I couldn't.

Sayuki is a doctor, and when she left, she said, "I wish I had had more experience at Mile 91 Clinic."

At the beginning of February, Sister Elisa came from Rome. Sister Elisa is the district superior before Sister Adriana. We were so happy, like we were meeting a mother.

March 17th was Saint Joseph's Day. Our district superior's name was

Sr. Josephine, so we celebrated on that day. We all sang Cañanitas in the morning. We had a feast for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sister Elisa left here on March 22nd.

All the sisters gathered together to express their heartfelt gratitude to Sister Josephine and Sister Elisa.

♪ Sister Elisa came, I saw the light, I saw it today too. I saw the shape, I saw the color, and I saw the love that surrounded me ♪

We also showed our gratitude to Sister Elisa at church. Not only us, but many people were happy. In March, a person in Freetown whom one of the sisters knew sent us a lot of rice, sweets, and biscuits. We shared them not only with teachers but also with students in need, the poor, the seminaries in Freetown and Makeni, and various schools in Lunsar. They were very happy. Now rice is very expensive, so the teachers were jumping for joy.

April 5th was a Saturday, but we all thought of the fact that we were pilgrims at church, and then we walked to the neighboring town of Malampa, praying in tune with the suffering of Christ. After attending mass there, we ate some sweets prepared by the sisters and some simple bread prepared by someone, and then went home. I couldn't walk, so someone took me there by car.

April 17th was the day of the Last Supper. Mass was held at 6:30 in the evening. After that, we prayed the rosary in front of the church. April 18th was the day Christ died. From 1:30 in the afternoon, we walked down the street and prayed for an hour and a half. After that, a long poem was read in the church. On the 19th, mass was held at 8:00 in the evening, and 30 people were baptized during it. On the 20th, we celebrated the resurrection of the Lord. Mass was held at 10:00.

On the 21st, the Pope of the Catholic Church passed away. We gathered in Lungi and prayed. We prayed from the bottom of our hearts for his eternal rest. He will definitely be in heaven.

This is the end of today. I hope you will continue to support us. The children are always praying for you.  Sister Shirahata

P4

“MY BIGGEST DREAM”

BY HAJARATU ISATU MANASARAY -

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CLASS 6

My name is Hajaratu Isatu Mansaray. I am 11 years old and I am a Sierra Leonean by nationality and a Theme by tribe.  I live with my Aunty and younger sibling, since both my father and mother died in a car accident when I was eight years old. 

I am attending the Our Lady of Guadalupe Primary School, Lunsar. My biggest dream in life is to become a Nurse, so that I can help many people regain their health. I would like to improve the living conditions of people in this country and wish to make my family proud of me. 

In my dream I wish people from other countries will come to my country Sierra Leone for medical treatment. I want to be a Nurse to save people from dying.

Thank you very much

 

“MY BIG DREAM”

BY CHRISTIANA Iye MACFOY – 1ST LEVEL OF SENIOR SECONDAEYSCHOOL

My name is Christiana Iye Macfoy, I am fourteen years and attending Our Lady of Guadalupe Secondary School, Lunsar. I was born in a town called Kailahun, eight hours drive from my school in Lunsar, where I now live in the Boarding Home.

I am in school studying hard to be able to achieve a dream in life, that of becoming a Medical Doctor. I am in the Science Department with the sole aim of achieving my dream career in life. I know this implies a lot of effort but I am willing to do my best, so that I can help my country Sierra Leone be a better place to dwell in.

Apart from becoming a medical Doctor, I also dream of becoming the President of this nation, so as to better the lives of our people by making provisions for better living – portable water supply, sustainable electricity, good education, agriculture etc. I want through the help of God and the solid education which I am now receiving to forge forward. I know it is not always easy to attain dreams but dreaming big helps a lot.     

In conclusion; I want Sierra Leone to be a better place to live in, a beautiful country that everyone will lie to visit someday.

Thank you very much.

 

“NAVIGATING THE JOURNEY AS A PRE-PHARMACY STUDENT”

BY MABINTY SIDIQUE BANGURA – UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP HOLDER

I am a former student of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Secondary School,

 Lunsar, who gained admission into the University to study Pharmacy.

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As a Pre - Pharmacy student, my journey is fueled by an unwavering commitment to healthcare and a desire to improve the lives of our people through proper medication management. My primary aim is to deepen my understanding of pharmacology and clinical practice, and become a certified graduate in this area.

Although the path is filled with challenges – the attention to coursework, including organic chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology which demands of me not only time but also a significant amount of mental endeavor; I am however determined by God’s grace and the help of my sponsors to achieve my dream. Balancing my studies and daily life struggle while maintaining a high grade point average (GPA) often leads to stress and anxiety which I am learning to manage.

Financially, pursuing a pharmacy degree is a bit costly for a student of my socioeconomic level; tuition costs, coupled with living expenses, create a substantial financial burden on my family. I am really grateful to my sponsors in Japan - Walking Together – who have given me a scholarship to assist  in my academic journey. 

In conclusion, with the above mentioned, I am confident in my ability to navigate these hurdles. My passion for pharmacy keeps me motivated, and I look forward to contributing meaningfully to the healthcare community of my country Sierra Leone in future.

                

“A DIARY OF MY STAY IN SIERRA LEONE

-I LIVE BY RELYING ON OTHERS-

BY SAYUKI OCHIAI,

DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC SURGERY - YOKOHAMA CITY UNIVERSITY   

My name is Sayuki Ochiai, and I am a doctor in Japan. I would like to report that I visited Lunsar and Mile 91 accompanied by my uncle Takehiko Ochiai (professor at Ryukoku University), an African regional researcher. I was studying Spanish in Spain after taking a break from my work as a doctor and studying tropical medicine in London when my uncle asked me, "Would you like to go and see the medical care in Sierra Leone?"

All I knew about Sierra Leone was that my uncle was so fond of it that he named his dog "Sierra". However, this was a wonderful opportunity to put my knowledge of tropical medicine to good use, and the religious order I was going to be with was a Mexican religious order, and I could speak Spanish. I immediately booked a plane ticket.

One day at the end of February, I met my uncle at Istanbul Airport and arrived in Freetown late at night. During the two-hour drive to Lunsar, I listened to my uncle's lecture on Sierra Leone. "The people of Sierra Leone help each other because they are poor." "When you come to Africa, you can just ask people anything." There were no streetlights on the night roads, and as a first timer, I still didn't know what kind of country it was. I could only reply "Is that so?" while watching the pedestrians with flashlights that appeared from time to time, but by the end of my nine-day stay, I felt that it was really true.

We were greeted at the Lunsar by the fantastical monastery garden, where palm trees cast shadows against the pale pink dawn sky, and by Sr. Shirahata. The other sisters who had just finished their morning service also all said "welcome."

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The children of Tamagawa Shirayuri Kindergarten performed a welcome song and dance. It was an energy and rhythm that is hard to find in Japan. After that, I had the opportunity to visit the OLG elementary and junior high school. It was exam time, and everyone was working on their test papers in earnest.

That afternoon, I went to visit the public clinic in Lunsar with my uncle and Sr. Shirahata. We went out for about two hours in the scorching heat of nearly 38 degrees Celsius, but after we left the convent, there was a girl who stayed by Sr. Shirahata's side and showed us the way. I was surprised and asked Sr. Shirahata, "Why did that girl follow us?" and she replied, "I don't know." "But she's one of my students..."

This kind of thing happens a lot around Sr. Shirahata. Even when Sr. Shirahata steps out onto the porch, someone rushes over and offers a hand. The tough-looking man he meets in town, the fashionable mother, and her students all come running up to her with a smile, saying, "Sister!" It's easy to imagine just how much Sr. Shirahata has done here. But even I, who have not contributed anything to this country, can only imagine how much she has done.

However, even though I have not contributed anything to this country, "someone helped me" on a daily basis, although to different degrees. When I was watching mango picking on the roadside, someone gave me a mango, when I suddenly went to a hospital or clinic, they were happy to let me take a look, when I asked a passerby about something I didn't understand, they were happy to explain it to me. I realized that in this country, people overcome difficult days that seem to have no solution, such as poverty, language differences, and inadequate infrastructure, by "helping each other." For me, who grew up in Japan, where the difficulties of life are often dismissed as personal responsibility, the idea that it is okay to rely on others was new and reassuring.

However, we can't overcome everything by helping each other. I moved to Mile 91 and worked at the clinic for a few days, but there were no tests that could be done, so I could only give painkillers to patients who complained of pain, and I couldn't prescribe basic asthma medicine because it was too expensive. It was more painful than I had imagined that we couldn't get treatments that are easy to do in Japan. Many people died, and even when I interviewed them, the number of children a mother gave birth to was different from the number of children living at home. What may have been an abnormal situation for me was everyday life for the local people. I felt frustrated because I felt like I was the only one who was surprised or anxious. Even in such a situation, another patient translated for me during the examination, and I continued to receive help from others.

Although I don't need Spanish at all for my everyday work, I still study it because I like the sound of the language. I was happy to hear one of my favorite words, "compartir," during the meal prayer at the monastery. The word "partir," which means "to share," is preceded by "con-," which means "with," and the literal translation is "to share together." The English word "share," which has the same meaning, may be shorter and smarter, but every time I say "compartir," I can imagine specifically who I'm sharing with, and it makes me feel warm inside.

Both the monastic orders and the local people provided me with a lot of resources, knowledge, and kindness, and my stay in Sierra Leone was filled with warmth. I would like to be able to rely on others, be relied on and do more compartir a little more easier in Japan. Thank you very much.

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“POPE FRANCIS, EVERYONE’S PAPA,”

BY MARTA TANAKA, HEADQUARTERS STAFF OF WALKING TOGETHER

To the people of Argentina, where I was born, the Pope is like a kind father and is called "everyone's papa." He is like a family member who is always there for them and will listen to anything they have to say.

I was born and raised in Flores, a town on the suburbs of the capital, a town full of close neighbors, neither rich nor poor, just an ordinary town like any other. It was an environment where children naturally learned the spirit of helping and sharing with others.

The Pope was an archbishop at the church my sister belongs to. So I heard a lot of stories about the daily life of the Pope when he was an archbishop.

This is an episode that gives you a sense of Pope Francis' personality and his down-to-earth personality.

First of all, he lived in a small apartment, not in a house given to him as an archbishop, and did not use a car. He commuted to the archbishop's place every day by subway or bus. His daily routine was to buy a newspaper on the way from the station where he got off. He had a friend who was a taxi driver, and his family would invite him to dinner once a month. He refused all of the driver’s offers to pick him up, but instead took a cheesecake and went out by bus. I heard that he liked the home-cooked pasta that the family had served him.

After work, he enjoyed tea time with the members of the youth and women's groups who worked at the Archbishop's House. They talked about many things, including slums, the situation of the homeless, and his favorite sport, soccer.

The Pope has visited many countries in Africa, Asia, America, Oceania, etc., but has not made official visits to major European countries such as Spain, France, and England.

I think he conveyed to the world that it is precisely in those places where the light of Christ should shine, where there are those who do not stand out, those who are on the fringes of the world and society.

In 2016, members of the church in Buenos Aires, where the Pope used to live, visited the Vatican together because the local friendly Archbishop Bergoglio could not return to his home country after he became Pope Francis.

Papa was very happy to be reunited with his old friends and exchanged words with each of them. He also spoke to my sister, who said she would pray for our mother, who recently passed away. The photo of this occasion is a treasured part of our family.

 

“E-MAIL FROM SISTER ESMERALDA”

MAY 15, 2025

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all your kind prayers. After more than a year and three surgeries, I have returned to Sierra Leone safely. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who prayed for my recovery. I am feeling much better now and am ready to return to work.

 I am very happy to be back in this missionary work and to be able to work energetically again. I hope to catch up on the backlogged work soon.

The reason for the long treatment was that I had problems with my right kidney and also had a stomach infection that required surgery to remove the infected area to prevent esophageal cancer.  Thank God.

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Everything went well, and the treatment and surgery were successful. I am doing very well now. Thank you for all your prayers. Let's keep in touch. May God bless you and all the supporters of Walking Together.

COMMENTS FROM OUR SUPPORTERS

💙Thank you for the newsletter. I read it carefully. Sister Shirahata, who is 83 years old and still working cheerfully in faraway Sierra Leone, and all the students are just so cheerful. C.T.

💙May Sister Shirahata's sickness and pain be healed. May the children of Lunsar and their school be given what they need. May the Lord's help and appreciation be with the work of the "Walking Together Association." K.S. 

💙Thank you always for your newsletter. I look forward to every issue. Supporters’ continued support for the flea market and garage sale is a great strength. I would like to continue supporting you in the future. K.K.

💙Thank you for sending me the 47th issue of the newsletter. I was happy to see that Sister Shirahata is doing well. I would also like to know how Sister Yoshida is doing. H. N.

💙Thank you for your newsletter. It's a small thing, but I feel blessed and happy to be able to support the children of Sierra Leone. Thank you.K.T.

💙No one can imitate Sister Shirahata's efforts. And the bright smiles of Sister Josephine the principal, and the students are so wonderful. Y. H.

💙 I feel like I’m saved to see the shining eyes of children who must be living in difficult conditions every day. Although it is a small amount of support, I hope that it can continue for as long as possible. N.M.

💙  Sister Shirahata, I hope you are doing well. I am as healthy as anyone my age. When I think of you, I see the smiling faces of the children around you. I hope you continue to be healthy. S.A.

 

SR. YOSHIDA’S LATEST UPDATE

BY SR. CHIEKO KAMOI, SUPERIOR OF
THE JAPANESE REGION

Thank you for the newsletter. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for your hard work. As for Sr. Yoshida's health, thanks to you all, there was nothing abnormal in her recent regular checkup. The doctor said that five years after her cancer surgery is a milestone, so in her case, that will be this year. Currently, she is gradually taking part in the work of the monastery in a way appropriate to her age. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for the concern and prayers for Sr. Yoshida's health. I do not know yet what her apostolic work will be like in the future, but I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your generous support through your prayers, so I hope you will accept it. Thank you, God.

[Obituary]

Long-time supporter Kiyoko Kato passed away on January 26th. We pray that the Lord's comfort be abundantly given to her family.

NOTICE FROM HEADQUARTERS♪

On April 25th, we were able to send the third support money of this year. The total amount is 2.3 million yen, consisting of 1.8 million yen for school lunch support for three months (March to May) and 500,000 yen for multipurpose support for OLG schools. For the next support money (July), we plan to send the remaining 2 months of school lunch support, 100,000 yen for medical support, and 200,000 yen for support for Mile 91 Clinic.

<Editor's Note> The photo on the right shows Prof. Takehiko Ochiai, his niece and doctor Sayuki Ochiai, and Sister Elizabeth, who visited Lunsar. Thanks to them, this issue is also full of gratitude. (Katsujiro Kanno)

Pictures:

P1: We are so happy Dr. Sayuki visited us!

       Junior high school students are dressed neatly for a cooking class.

P2:  Sr. Josephine Kamara standing in front of a portrait of Maria Ines

        Sr. Kazuko Shirahata with a volunteer from Spain

P4:  Mansaray standing in front of a map of Africa

        Macfoy drawing water from a well

P5:  Bangura (center) and her schoolmates

P6:  Clinic Staff Sayuki is second from the right in the front row

P7   The author’s sister receiving the Pope’s blessing

P8   Professor. Takehiko Ochiai, his niece and doctor Sayuki Ochiai, with Sister Elizabeth.

(Translation by A. Yamamoto)