Summary of Bulletin No.43 of Walking
Together
P.１ “Dearest Katsujiro Kanno
representative and members of Walking Together” by Missionary Clara Secretary
General Mother Martha G Hernandez Martin Del Kampos
In the season of
the birth of the lord, may the love and hope of young Jesus reach you. Also
thanks the bulletin and supporters who have visited Sierra Leone as well as
those in Japan. Due to the never changing love and support throughout the 10
years, many children and their families have turned their lives around.
P.2 “Hoping for a bright future” by Missionary
Clara Sierra Leone Regional Manager Sr. Josephine Kamara
2024 has started out with passion and
courage, and says that there are high aspirations to achieve targets set for
the educational institution in hopes for a bright future. The OLG School has
all round education, and in order to educate people who will become
contributors to society, they are working hard to strengthen the skills of
their students. In order to do so, they are hoping to better the educational
environment, but it is not easy with limited resources such as electricity and
water. However, they were able to get a few solar panels and 2 computers for
elementary and 11 for junior high and high school. This has been a motivation
for the students. They hope to continue to raise the educational and lifestyle
levels to be able to make their dreams come true. The message is closed by a
word of thanks to the support of Walking Together.
P.２~３ “To Supporters” written on February 16th, 2024 by Sr.
Shirahata
Starts with her status of being at the Mile
91 Clinic.
She sends her prayers for Japan which was
affected by the earthquake on January 1st and for world peace.
In January, there were track and field
events at schools except kindergarten, and many people from around the town
were there to see it. The event for kindergarten is planned for April 20th.
It will be 50 years since Sr. Shirahata has
been in Sierra Leone. She notes that she hadn’t forgotten about Sierra Leone,
while she was in the US during the civil war. She clearly remembers the joy
when she came back to Sierra Leone in 2004.
She was an elementary school teacher for a couple of
years from 1974, she used a mimeograph to make textbooks and had class under
the palm trees when there was no rain. From there she became a junior high
school and high school teacher, then elementary school principal, and lastly
kindergarten principle. She says that today, she enjoys teaching music the
most.
There have been
many things in the past like sad memories with the Ebola Virus, the joy of
spending 50 years in Sierra Leone, but she mostly wanted to talk about Sr.
Negishi and Sr. Yoshida. As Sr. Shirahata looked up to her older twin sister,
she looked up to Sr. Negishi in the missionary. She says that now, it is her
biggest hope to see Sr. Yoshida back in Sierra Leone.
I am old and cannot do anything bog, but I pray for every person and
do small things with a lot of love. What I like most is to tie the shoe lace of
small children.
She concludes by saying that although she doesn’t know how long she
will live, she hopes to live for God and for the people.
Ｐ.４ “Desires for Medicinal
Research” by Fatmata D. Sesay
Fatmata studied at the OLG from kindergarten to high
school and currently is studying to become a pharmacist. Sierra Leone lacks
doctors who have received training, and there are challenges with saving lives
and responding to health risks. By studying medicine, she hopes to bring health
and happiness to the citizens. She is thankful for the educational support,
which has brought light and hopes. Education not only changes a person, but
changes the region and the nation itself. With the education that she has
received in college, she hopes to raise the medical level of Sierra Leone.
Ｐ.4~5 “Dreams of becoming a nurse” by Marvel
A. Kanu
Being supported by Walking Together for a scholarship
into college, Marvel is able to study nursing. Being able to study in college,
has brought a positive change for her. Studying hard and training has raised
her interest more in nursing and she hope to achieve her dreams to be able to
help save lives.
P.5 “Kashimada Church Christmas Concert”
On December 9th, 2023, at the church in
Kawasaki, there was a Christmas Concert. It was a mini mini concert, but very
warm and great time to feel the Christmas spirit. The funds gathered there were
sent to Sierra Leone to be used for lunch.
Ｐ.6~８ “Voices from
supporters”
・Sr. Negishi hoped that someday OLG
graduate Sr. Josephine would return to Sierra Leone. It is great to know that
this wish has come true.
・Congratulations to Sr. Yoshida for her 50
years.
・Great reading about Matsubara-san’s experience. Great to
know there are young people like Matsubara-san.
・Walking Together is a great support that I
have etc.
Thank you for the many comments.
P.８ Announcement
form headquarters
Support fund transfer stratus for the 1st
half
2nd transfer on January 30th ($31,310）is complete. （4 months’ worth of lunch
support, scholarship, salary for kindergarten teachers, etc.）
Able to transfer funds early since we
received a lot of support during the Christmas season. Thank you so much for
your support. Planning 2 more transfers this year and 5months worth of lunch
support funds, and other support funds.
Shipment of support supplies
Container shipments are still stopped –
report fromMs. Goodrich-san.
About Sr. Shirahata’s condition
Since the beginning of February, she was
hospitalized for stomach treatment, but was released at the end of February and
was able to meet with Ms. Murakami who was visiting. However, she was again
hospitalized on March 4th for hip treatment.
Please refer to the website for “Sr.
Shirahata stitching support”
Photo explanations
P.1 Happy children
with the visit of Ms. Kaori Murakami
Mother Martha Regional Director (front
left) visiting Lunsar and Sr. Josephine Regional Director behind her
P.２ From left : Sr. Josephine Regional
Director, Marvel A. Kanu, Fatmata D. Sesay,
Sr. Shirahata, 2 graduates
P.3 Sr. Shirahata and her stitching
P.４ Fatmata D. Sesay
P.５ Marvel A. Kanu / performers Arisaka-san,
Nagasawa-san, Fukuda-san
p.8 Happy elementary and
kindergarten students
Summary : Hiroko
Maruyama Translation : Ayako Nokuo