Summary of “Walking Together” Bulletin
No.40
Sr. Adriana
Juarez Navarrete mcss reflects back at the 10 years together with Walking
Together in “10 years of trust” on page 1-2. The gift received from “Walking
Together”, many children being able to have lunch, scholarships, health support
etc.
Even when the
world is not how we wished it would be, “Walking Together” has always supported
to look for positive ways and to build a strong trust. She wraps up by sending
her thanks to the 10 years together with “Walking Together”.
On pages 2-3, is a report from Sr.
Shirahata titled “Supporters”, covering events since January (2023/5/26). At
the new year mass, she thanked for all the blessings from last year, and also
prayed for world peace. The picnic at Mangebre in March, the elementary sports
day in April, and masses at different times of the year. Also, the most
memorable in the last 10 years, is the time with late Sr. Negishi. Her
generosity, appreciation for her work, her wish to continue to work in Sierra
Leone. Lastly, she thanks God and blessings from everyone that lead her to 50
years in oath.
Ryukoku University professor Takehiko
Ochiai’s report called “In who’s hand” is on page 4-5.
African researcher, Professor Ochiai and
his wife have visited Sierra Leone about 20 times and have also submitted
reports on “Walking Together” bulletin. The many events and changes that took
place over the past 10 years in Sierra Leone – for example, not being able to
support after Sr. Shirahata has not been able to be active on site. Issues of
poverty still remains an issue and there is need for support, but there is also
a need to think about how much support “Walking Together” can provide. A famous
Sierra Leone intellect and politician, Solomon Pratt’s poem “In who’s hand” is
introduced. Here is one part “The tree stick I have in my hand, can be used
only to scare away a stray dog. But the tree stick in Moses’s hand can even
divide the Red Sea in two. Yes, it is a matter of who’s hand it is in”
Pages 5-6 is a summary “Being protected for
10 years” by Katsujiro Kanno of “Walking Together”.
Since starting “Walking Together”, we have
reached the 40th bulletin. Thanks to the reports of many who have
visited Sierra Leone, the supporters, that enabled the bulletin to be published
without delay. Support funds have reached 127.61M yen in the past 9 years, this
amount is a miracle and he feels it is a gift from God. Also looking back at
the past 10 years, he remembers the faces of the 25 supporters who have passed,
and the families of those who still continue to support us. He closes the
summary by wishing that God will help and lend a hand for those who are
currently hospitalized.
Pages 6-8, are voices from supporters.
“Wishing the health of the sisters and the
children” “The sparkle in the children’s eye and smiles are wonderful” “So
happy and thankful for the 10 year anniversary and Sr. Shirahata’s Foreign
Minister’s Commendation. Hoping the war stops” “Although there was the stolen
glass incident in the 39th bulletin, impressed that Sr. was thankful
to God. This is the strength of religious belief”
“Will continue to support” will send
messages to students so that they can feel Sierra Leone are other voices heard.
Page 8 is information from Headquarters
Support fund activities – sent 2.6M on May 1st.
Shipments on container will take a while, Sr.Shirahata’s embroidery are other
topics covered.
（photos）
P.1 With the
kindergarten teacher
P.2 Drawings by
kindergarten students
P.3 With high
school students
P.4 December 2013 – Professor
Ochiai and his wife with Sr. Shirahata and Sr. Yoshida when they visited Lunsar
P.8 Left : The
Japanese flag and hearing stories from Japanese friends
Right : Expressing appreciation in the
shape of a heart
Article
: Hiroko Maruyama
Translation : Ayako Nokuo