Sierra Leona is a country with 3
different religions (Islam, Christian, other traditional religions) and many
races living together. From 1991 to 2002, the Civil War destroyed the different
infrastructural systems but there was peace
afterwards until 2014, when the Ebola disease struck the country. About 4000
people died, the economy was in a state of confusion, and education was hit
hard. Also, the medical structure collapsed and political leaders corrupted.
Sierra Leone is facing economic, educational, and political crisis once again
due to COVID-19. Since most people live day by day, it is difficult to stop
economic activity. There was a 3-day lockdown that took affect 3 times, but
this lockdown caused stress and made people nervous. COVID-19 may cause similar
conditions as did the Ebola disease, since there are no fully equipped
hospitals nor staff in Sierra Leone. People of Sierra Leone are frightened by
the COVID-19 virus, as well as economic conditions, erupting violence, but most
of all the military. Sisters are trying to do their best to protect the weak,
by conducting such activities as handing out rice using some of the support
funds.
Pages 3-4 is a message from Sr.
Shirahata titled “Praying for the end to the COVID-19 virus. To the supporters
of Walking Together”. She sends her prayers in this COVID-19 outbreak, reports
on 9 packages arriving, and the close of the school for a year. While schools
are closed, support funds are being used to feed the poor. Lunsar has still no
reports of anyone affected by the virus.
On page 4 is a writing by scholarship
student Georgiana Ogoo called “My dream”. Ms. Ogoo graduated OLG school, and
currently studies public health at Njala University (supported by government
support funds and Walking Together scholarship). In developing countries, there
is a lack of general medicine and disease prevention, and support from
countries overseas is a big help. Ms. Ogoo writes that she is thankful for the
support and hopes to one day be able to deliver “high
quality health care”.
From the last part of page 4 on to page
5, is “María Inés Vocational Institute Interview” by Kaori Murakami (Hiroshima University/Faculty of
Education/Graduate School Professor) Ms. Murakami educates and does research on
the development of home economics teachers at Hiroshima University. Ms.
Murakami’s visit comes from her relationship with Chiemi Fujii, who works on
bettering the nutrition situation in Sierra Leone. Ms. Murakami wanted to see
if she could support through her expertise in clothing. She will visit the
vocational training school, teach students, and hopes to find ways to improve
sewing techniques.
Voices from supporters are on pages 6-7.
Following is “In the midst of a pandemic”by Martha Tanaka. She talks about the COVID-19 virus which has
changed lives and brought unstable situations, how the people of Sierra Leone
have been calm, supportive, and smiling through this tough time, how we have
been able to become “true fellows” of Walking Together through this situation.
Page 8 : Notice from Headquarters
<Photos>
P1 (bottom left) Sr. Shirahata playing with
kindergarten students
(bottom right) Sr. Yoshida with village people
P2 Sr
Adriana Juarez Navarrete regional superior
P4 Ms. Georgiana Ogoo
P5 Ms. Kaori Murakami with students of
vocational training school
P7 Ms.
Martha Tanaka and Sr. Shirahata visit to Sierra Leone in 2017
P8 (top
3) Sisters delivering food and the happy village people
(middle)
Sr. Yoshida and Ms. Murakami by a bridge near Mange and Lunsar
(bottom)
Vocational training school students showing their handmade “Jinbei”