Summary of “Walking Together” Bulletin No.33
P1～P2 is an article titled “Governed by
God:Looking back at the past year Aug 29, 2021” by Sr. Adriana Juarez
Navarette. She covers the following:
-
With
the support of the World Food Program, the government supplied rice to help the
school lunches. Therefore, support funds were used for other foods which helped
raise the quality of the meal. Schools that are not fortunate to receive this
kind of support, need to buy food on their own and if they cannot, the
government may cut back on food distribution.
-
Installed
and seeing good progress with a new system that helps kids learn how to read
and write English.
-
Scholarship
students studying in college are spending quality time and they are working
hard to make Sierra Leone a better place to live.
-
Sr.
Yoshida is getting better, but will not be able to return to Sierra Leone for a
while.
Sr. Kazuko Shirahata’s “From Sierra
Leone : Lunsar”
report that summarizes the events from May to August.
In May, Mr. Kimijima sent gifts from Japan, in late June, Sr. Shirahata
caught the cold and rested for 3 days, but then was hospitalized for 5 days
before returning to Lunsar. Rice was distributed to all the elementary school
kids so that they can share with their family. Sr. expressed her happiness when
being with the children in kindergarten, and although she no longer can do
heavy lifting work, she is now into stitching.
On pages 5 and 6 is the 2021 Finance Report
by Sierra Leone Regional Treasurer Sr. Esmeralda Franco Leon.
2,507 total students, support funds summing up to
$112,850.
(1)
Lunch support : $7,700. With
the support from the government, able to buy food with more nutrition bettering
meal quality.
(2)
Educational support :
$14,000. Support poor families with school children, also scholarships for 5
students.
(3)
OLG & MI support fund :
$8,700. Repair facility that has been standing for more than 50 years.
(4)
Kindergarten support fund :
$7,000. The government does not pay for kindergarten teachers, but able to give
6 months pay to 18 teachers.
(5)
Christmas gift : $1,000. In
the past, only girls got handmade dolls by Sr. Shirahata, but this time boys
got balls to play with. Also gave nearby villages with children, balls and
food.
(6)
Special lunch : $1,200
(7)
OLG medical support $2,200
(8)
Mile 91 Clinic support : $875
(9)
RC Boys School lunch support
: $875
From the middle of page 6 to middle of page
7, are words from supporters.
Continuing on to page 8, is a report from
Mr. Masahiko Sato, Advisory board of the Azabu Church（called “Big hopes for a small body”. Along with Sr.
Shirahata and twin sisters, a little more than 50 years have passed for Azabu
Church Youth League. Mr. Sato reflects back at the debriefing session that have
been held every time Sr. Shirahata returned to Japan. Although many have passed
away during the years, Mr. Sato sends cheers for the bravery and hope that Sr.
Shirahata has.
Bulletin ends with an announcement from
Headquarters.
(Explanation of photos)
P1 (left) : Kids playing small drums
(middle) : African Child Day - making and
serving treats
(right) : Sewing demo at Maria Ines
Vocational School
P2 : Sr. Adriana on right
P3 : Sr. Shirahata’s stitching next to
title
P4 : Village children and Sr. Shirahata
P5 : Sr. Esmeralda
P8 : (left) Sr. Shirahata’s party : Mr.
Sato on right, back row
(right) Everyone with masks
Summary of “Reflecting back at 2021” （blog）
Please see below for summary report from
Mr. Kanno of “Walking Together”.
-
Support funds dropped with
the pandemic strike, but it seems a miracle to be able to send through funds as
planned.
-
Support group “Sierra Leone
Friends” run by Kimiko Howell and Kazuyo Asano will be terminating their
activity and supporters will be joining “Walking Together”. Thanks to Kimiko
and Kazuyo for their dedication.
-
Relief supplies shipment
close to complete. Has been over 4 years.
-
Determine support content
since the government has started supporting with school lunches.
-
The charity concert that was
held in December was the biggest event of the year. There was great support
from Father Hideo Sekine of Catholic Setagaya Church and band leader Mari
Tanaka. Great jazz performance.
-
Sr. Yoshida is gradually
recovering and hoping to get back to her mission.
-
2022 will be the 10th
year for “Walking Together”. Staff will spend the year thinking about how
”Walking Together” will evolve in the future.
Looking forward to another great 2022.
(Copy:Hiroko Gotoh、 Translation:Ayako
Nokuo)
(Copy:Hiroko Gotoh、 Translation:Ayako
Nokuo)