The bulletin starts with “To the dearest in Japan” by Sr. Shirahata. Her first report came on October 20th. She talked about the new year starting at Tamagawa Shirayuri Kindergarten on September 6th, with over 300 children and still many who wanted to enter but could not, the container that arrived in Freetown in August from Mr. Goodrich did not get to Lunsar until September 22nd, clothing will be distributed to the poor families as Christmas presents, school supplies have been put to good use. Also Sr. Shirahata fell and hurt her wrist on September 21st, but since it didn’t cure, she was asked to stay and rest at the Retreat House .
Her second report came in November 9th, she says she has been able to use her left hand to do things while her right arm still hurt, people of the country mourning for 3 days due to the tanker truck explosion that happened in Freetown that took lives on many people, about Peter Dawoh who is currently working at a hospital in Monrovia and also become part of the Catholic order being inspired by Sr. Negishi.
Regional Superior of Sierra Leone, Sr.Elisa
Padilla’s report “Sierra Leone : 3 years ago and now” is on page 3. She covers
how great it is to be back in Sierra Leone, the changes that have happened with
facilities and with the children, expresses her thanks to the support with
daily lunch provided to the children, the fact that the country still faces
issues with poverty.
On to page4 is a report from Peter L.
Dawoh, the Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of St. John of God, called “Guided
by Sr. Negishi’s belief”. When Peter needed to drop out of school since his
family was poor, Sr. Negishi lent a hand and was able to continue his
education. Inspired by Sr. Negishi, he chose to live his life as the
Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of St. John of God, and have been getting
support from Sr. Negishi all along. Later when he opened a nurses’ training
school in Lunsar and there was a need to build a dorm due to students
increasing, Sr. Negishi helped with getting support from Japan. What Sr.
Negishi taught him was - to thank those who help with your work and to work
hard on what you are responsible for – this has always been a part of him.
Voices from supporters are from page 4
and beginning of page 5.
On pages 5 -7 is a report from
headquarter staff (accounting), Hiroko Maruyama titled “With Sierra Leone”. In her
8th year when assigned to grade school at Tamagawa Gakuen, she first
learned about support activities to send pencils and calendars to Sierra Leone.
It was when Sr. Negishi visited the school to talk about their activities, and this
leads to the support activities to today. Sr. Negishi came back to Japan to
treat her foot injury 8.5 years ago, but she was not able to return to Sierra
Leone due to an incurable disease. Through 40 years of support, a lot was
learned through the sisters and were able to realize the support not only was
beneficial for the children in Sierra Leone, but also had great impact on our
hearts.
Following is headquarter announcements.
These include : support fund delivery status, special support for the storm
damage (storm hit and blew off the roofs at the OLG school in November),
embroidery by Sr. Shirahata (Sr. Shirahata is making embroidered bags to help
with support funds).
Photo details
P1. (under title) Mission Rosario on
October 29th. For peace and happiness on the 5 continents, 5 groups
send prayers and a representative from each group prayed in front of everyone.
White is Europe, Red is Americas, Blue is Australia, Yellow is Asia, and green
are children from Africa.
Next to Sr. Shirahata’s report title is
her embroidery
P2. Sr. Shirahata and kindergarten
children studying together
P3. Sr.Elisa Padilla, when she was Regional
Superior of Sierra Leone
P6. Visiting Sr. Negishi’s grave, in the
middle is Hiroko Maruyama
P8. From the top
-
Roof tops
blown from the storm
- Samples of sister’s embroidery
-
Samples
of bags
(Copy:Hiroko Gotoh、 Translation:Ayako Nokuo)