Pages 1〜2 is a report from Sr. Shirahata.
In this bulletin she reports on event
during March through May. First, she explains why she was not able to report on
the events taking place. She has had issues not being able to use her mobile
phone and also injuring her arm. But was finally able to report on the events
after Sr.Adriana Juarez Navarrete
bought her a mobile phone on May 27th.
The main events that took place during this time is : since May Rosario
prayers have been made every day, Fr. Martin Kamara from Lunsar was ordained to
priesthood on April 30th, the passing away of Mrs. Margaret Y. Macauley, a
resident nearby, at the age of 83 on April 24th.
One
major school events was when the 4th to 6th graders went
on a field trip to the beach. A bus ride to the beach was awarded to 3 students
in each class, who worked hard such as cleaning the classrooms, and they all
had a great time. The school plans to have this kind of field trip 3 times a
year.
Sr.
Shirahata sums up her report by saying that she will make a short visit to
Japan after the graduation ceremony on July 2nd.
3
scholarship students who graduated this spring, express their happiness on
pages 2-3. The 3 students are as follows:
Marian Adamsay Kamara（Nursing）
Georgiana Ogoo (Public Health)
Fatmata K. Kamara （Accounting）
All 3 had a very
fulfilled college life, and they are proud to have achieved results during
their time at school. They are looking forward to utilizing what they have
learned to help them in society and are appreciative of the college to have
given them a scholarship.
Pages 4-5 are voices
from supporters.
We’ve received such
voices as “Recently there is not a lot of good news, but we have been getting
energy from the warm smiles of the people in Sierra
Leone” “There is blessing to Sr. Shirahata’s work and hope there is comfort for
Sr. Yoshida.”
The
second half of page 5 to page 7 is a report from Ms. Kyoko Waki, a Walking
Together HQ staff and executive coach (coaching is her life work). While she
believes “coaching” is the work she was meant to have, there were times when
she just didn’t feel satisfied. At that time, she met a book by the Christian
author and became interested in Christianity. Then Mr. Hideki Mitani, who she
works with, introduced her to Priest Fusao Sekine of Catholic Setagaya Church
and about Walking Together. While becoming involved, she and Priest Sekine
decided to co-author a book called “Hints to living under COVID anxiety : hints
from the bible” and the content is so interesting.
On and until page 8, is a report from Ms.
Ayako Yamamoto, who is a Walking Together HQ staff and also a member of
“Polvoron Group” of the Catholic Azabu Church. “Polvoron Group” has been supporting Sr. Shirahata for more
than 50 years. They started as a group baking and selling the Spanish snack
called ”POLVORONES” and all sales went to support Sr. Shirahata. Since a few
years ago, they have been sewing Sr. Shirahata’s embroidery onto a tote bag and
selling them – all sales going to Walking Together. They talk about learnings
from Sr. Shirahata and also the joy of being able to help each other out.
Announcement from HQ is on page 8. We have been able to send
support funds in a timely manner, but the May lunch support funds have been a
bit late and will be delivered by mid- June.
（Photo explanation）
P1 top left : Sr. Shirahata’s embroidery
Top right : Sr.
Shirahata with a polvoron
Bottom : Happy
students on their first beach experience (field trip)
P2 top
right: Graduate Marian Adamsay Kamara
P3 left
: Graduate Georgiana Ogoo
P4 left
: Graduate
Fatmata K. Kamara
P6 left
: Priest Fusao Sekine
and Ms. Kyoko Waki
P.8 top left : With
the Polvoron Group members in front of the Catholic Azabu
Church. 3rd from the left is Ms.
Ayako Yamamoto.
P8 bottom
right: Grade
school students happily
carrying their lunch
(Copy:Katsujiro Kanno、 Translation:Ayako
Nokuo)