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Tomoni Ayumu Kai – Caminando Juntos -
Resumen de Boletín No 46
Página 1
Mensaje de la
Madre Martha, titulado Cristo Misionero Paz y Esperanza
26 de octubre de 2024
Muy
estimado Prof. Kanno y miembros todos de “Caminando Juntos”:
¡Paz y esperanza en Cristo
misionero! Los saludo una vez más, agradeciéndoles las noticias misioneras que
constantemente nos comparten por medio del Boletín, un modo muy hermoso de
hacernos partícipes de los milagros que el Señor realiza a través de la generosidad
de tantas personas que reconocen en los demás, en particular en los frágiles y
pequeños, un hermano a quien darle la mano para caminar juntos hacia un futuro
de luz y esperanza.
La sonrisa de los niños es sin duda
expresión de gratitud ante “pequeños” detalles que hacen en sus vidas una gran
diferencia; en efecto, la unión de esfuerzos por parte de todos los miembros de
“Caminando juntos” continúa siendo para nuestra misión en Sierra Leona
manifestación del amor providente de Dios que multiplica y hace fructificar
todo gesto de generosidad. Así mismo, las bolsas “Momoyo”, elaboradas bajo la
dirección de la profesora Kaori Murakami de la Universidad de Hiroshima, y las
diversas iniciativas que constantemente se realizan, son al mismo tiempo
expresión de gratitud y signo de fraternidad entre dos pueblos.
Continuamos recordando en nuestra
oración a todos los habitantes de la península de Noto, tan golpeada por las
calamidades naturales, donde una de nuestras hermanas, Sara Elena Santos,
estará prestando un servicio de tres semanas para acompañar a aquella población
que en estos momentos se encuentra necesitada de apoyo y cercanía.
Una vez más agradecemos de todo
corazón a cuántos siguen haciendo posible el que Japón y Sierra Leona caminen
juntos, con la certeza de que el Señor, fiel a su Palabra, será Él mismo su
recompensa.
Con renovada confianza, desde el
Corazón Inmaculado de María”
Página 2 (izquierda)
Mensaje de la
Superiora regional Hermana Josefina Kamara
"Construcción
de una nación a través de la educación de las niñas"
4 de noviembre de 2024
Misión Misionera de la Eucaristía hermana
Josefina Kamara, Directora Regional de las Hermanas Clarisas de Sierra Leona. El
9 de septiembre de este año las escuelas reabrieron para el nuevo año escolar
2024-2025, y ya han pasado ocho semanas. Nuestras actividades educativas
incluyen no sólo la parte académica, sino también la religión, la cultura
social, deportes, etc., todo con el objetivo de brindar una educación integral
a las niñas que son futuras líderes y madres. El futuro del país está en sus
manos, por eso queremos prepararlos bien para que puedan marcar la diferencia
en el futuro.
Como colegio y como hermanas
orientamos a nuestras niñas a comprender que todo en la vida requiere esfuerzo
y autodisciplina. Al hacerlo, nuestros sueños se harán realidad y el futuro de
este país será más brillante.
Gracias por caminar siempre con
nosotros.
Página 2 (derecha)
Mensaje de la
hermana Bernardita Shirahata
“A todos y cada uno de los miembros de Caminando Juntos, a
los que siempre recuerdo.”
22 de octubre de 2024
Me gustaría escribir a todos y cada
uno de los miembros del grupo Caminando Juntos de este lejano lugar de África.
A principios de febrero, comencé a sentirme mal del estómago y de repente me
pidieron que fuera a la clínica en Mile 91. Como de costumbre, tenía intención
de regresar a Lunsar en una semana o dos. Casi al mismo tiempo, la hermana
Esmeralda, directora del Jardín Infantil Tamagawa Shirayuri, también regresó a
México. El estado de su rodilla se había deteriorado después de un accidente de
tráfico y tuvo que someterse a una cirugía de rodilla. Sin embargo, por
diversas circunstancias, la cirugía fue pospuesta.
No pude ingresar en la clínica. Esto
se debe a que hay muchos pacientes con tuberculosis. Estaba en el cercano
Monasterio Yonibana, haciendo un trabajo que podía realizar sentada. Dedicaba
mi tiempo a bordar y trabajar en el templo.
Regresé a Lunsar el 23 de septiembre
y pude trabajar en el jardín Infantil. La Hermana Elisabeth actúa como
directora interina en lugar de hermana Esmeralda. Enseño música como antes, y
también dibujo ilustraciones de lo que enseñan los profesores.
No puedo ir sola a ningún lado, pero
una hermana siempre viene conmigo y me ayuda. A las 12 en punto regreso al
monasterio y hago algunos trabajos de costura. Se me dice que no debo trabajar en mi habitación después de cenar.
Página 3
Mensaje de la
srta Marian Kamara enfermera
Estudiante
Universitaria Becada (Enfermería)
“Mi Sueño Hecho Realidad”
Ser enfermera siempre ha sido mi
sueño desde que era una niña.
Mi camino para convertirme en
enfermera no fue fácil. Tuve que superar muchos obstáculos y desafíos en el
camino; gracias a las hermanas que a través de Caminando Juntos me ayudaron y
apoyaron en el camino.
Finalmente, después de años de
estudiar y trabajar para alcanzar mi meta, me gradué de la escuela de
enfermería con un buen resultado. Gracias a Dios, ahora estoy trabajando en el
Hospital de mi comunidad, propiedad de las Hermanas; mientras espero mi
licencia del gobierno. Mi primer trabajo fue en la sala de maternidad.
He tenido la oportunidad de trabajar
en muchas áreas diferentes de la enfermería, desde maternidad hasta pediatría.
Cada experiencia ha sido gratificante a su manera y he aprendido mucho de cada
paciente que he tenido el privilegio de cuidar. La enfermería no es sólo un
trabajo para mí, es una vocación y me siento honrada de poder hacer lo que amo
todos los días.
Página 4
Mensaje de Zainab
M. Conteh
Niña estudiante
grado 3º de la Escuela Secundaria Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
“Lo Que Me Hace Feliz”
Mi nombre es Zainab M. Conteh, soy
una orgullosa alumna de la Escuela Secundaria Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe,
Lunsar. Estoy en el 3er grado de la Escuela Secundaria Básica y me quedo en el
internado durante el año escolar, ya que mis padres viven en Freetown. En
primer lugar, soy feliz cuando estoy con mi familia porque me dan mucha alegría
y atención
En segundo lugar, soy feliz cuando estoy con mis
compañeros de clase en la escuela, porque compartimos conocimientos e
intercambiamos ideas, aprendiendo así cada día unos de otros.
Una tercera cosa que me hace feliz es ayudar a los pobres
y necesitados,
Por último, pero no por ello menos importante, me siento
feliz cuando estoy con mi modelo a seguir, ella me ayuda a hablar mejor inglés,
corrigiéndome cuando cometo errores. Tengo la bendición de estudiar en la
escuela secundaria Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Lunsar.
Gracias.
Página 4
Mensaje de Elsie
Sesay
Niña estudiante
grado 3º de la Escuela Primaria Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
“Mi Familia”
Mi nombre es Elsie Sesay. Tengo 9
años y estoy 3º grado. Vivo con mi madre, mi hermano y mi hermana. Nuestro
padre nos abandonó cuando yo tenía 4 años.
Mi madre consiguió un trabajo con
las hermanas religiosas en la Escuela Secundaria Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en
Lunsar, donde ayuda a lavar platos en el internado para ganar un salario.
Mi madre es una mujer muy
trabajadora, trabaja día y noche para asegurarse de que podamos asistir a la
escuela. Mi hermano mayor tiene 13 años y está en la escuela secundaria y tengo
una hermana menor en 2º grado.
Amo mucho a mi familia y le pido a
Dios que los bendiga.
Página 5
"Primera vez
en ciudad local y 8 días de alojamiento en familia"
Escuela de Graduados en Artes y Ciencias, Universidad de
Tokio
Yuka Matsubara, estudiante de doctorado
Después de mi viaje del pasado mes
de septiembre, pude regresar a Sierra Leona durante la temporada de lluvias en
Sierra Leona que alcanza su punto máximo en agosto.
Después de pasar 8 días allí, en la
casa de una amiga lo primero que me llamó la atención fue el sentido de familia
de Sierra Leona. En la casa había un total de siete sobrinas y sobrinos del matrimonio
de la casa.
Parece que los niños pasan su tiempo
yendo y viniendo entre las casas de sus padres y las de los hermanos de sus
padres debido a la relación. Por ejemplo, si ambos padres trabajan y no pueden
cuidar a sus hijos, toda la familia, incluidos los parientes cuidan de ellos.
También me sorprendió descubrir que
los niños eran los principales responsables de las tareas del hogar. Como
nuestra estancia coincidió con las vacaciones escolares, los siete niños de la
casa, desde estudiantes de primaria hasta estudiantes universitarios, pasaban
todo el día limpiando, lavando y cocinando desde las 6 de la mañana.
Esta fue mi segunda estadía aquí y
pude ver un lado nuevo de Sierra Leona que no había podido ver durante mi
estadía anterior.
Página 5
Voces de los benefactores
de todo Japón
· Gracias
por enviarnos siempre el boletín de la “Caminando Juntos”. Desde entonces, he estado haciendo pequeñas
donaciones con la esperanza de poder ayudar en los esfuerzos de apoyo de Sierra
Leona.
· Cada vez
que veo las brillantes sonrisas de los jóvenes de Sierra Leona en el boletín,
me siento profundamente agradecido por la paz que llego a su país.
· Gracias
por el boletín. Estamos orando por la recuperación de la hermana Bernardita.
Nunca olvidaré que mi pequeña colaboración para las comidas diarias brinda un
apoyo importante.
· Gracias
por el boletín. Deseamos a la hermana Bernardita buena salud. Y oro para que
las bendiciones de Dios estén sobre todos los que los apoyan.
· Estamos
orando por la recuperación de la hermana Bernardita y la hermana Esmeralda. Es
fantástico saber que un colegio de mayoría musulmana celebran la festividad de
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
· La Paz
del Señor esté con ustedes. Gracias por el boletín. La hermana Yoshida trabaja
fuertemente en el convento. Creo que la hermana Leticia Negishi estaba feliz
con la visita en su tumba, gracias por la amabilidad en sus corazones. A medida
que cambian las estaciones, cuídense. Estoy orando por ustedes.
Hermana Chieko Kamoi, Directora del Distrito Japón de las
Hermanas Misioneras Clarisas Representante
Fotos
Página 1: las niñas en clase y en el recreo
Página 2: la hermana Bernardita, efectuando el control de
salud a los niños
Página 3 y 4: srta. Marian Kamara, la niña S. Conte, la
niña E. Sesei
Página 5 y 6: fotos tomadas por la srta. Matsubara
Página 8: Foto
superior-hermana Josefina Kamara, directora y estudiantes de escuela secundaria
OLG
Foto media-Hermana Bernardita
Sirahata tocando la melódica
Fotos inferior-Salón de clases de la
escuela primaria y secundaria
＜Traducción por Marta Tanaka＞
Walking Together Bulletin No. 46
P.1 DEAR REPRESENTATIVE
KANNO AND SUPPORTERS OF THE "WALKING TOGETHER ASSOCIATION"
By Mother Marta G. Hernández Martín del Campos,
Superintendent of the Clarissan Missionary October 26, 2024
“For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink
because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward." (Mark 9:41)
Peace and
hope in Christ the Missionary! I
greet you all once again and thank you for always keeping us informed of your
activities through your newsletter. This is a wonderful way to make us participate in the
miracles that the Lord performs through the generosity of so many people, which
is recognized in the fellowship of people. In the midst of their fragile and small existence, we have brothers
who join hands and walk together towards a future of light and hope. The smiles
of the children are undoubtedly an expression of gratitude for the
"small" daily steps that make a big difference in their lives. In
fact, the efforts and unity of all the members of the "Walking Together
Association" continue to be a manifestation of the love of God's
Providence for our mission in Sierra Leone, which multiplies and bears fruit in
every act of generosity. Similarly, the various initiatives that are carried
out every day, such as the Momoyo pouches made under the guidance of Professor
Kaori Murakami of Hiroshima University, are both a sign of gratitude and a
testimony of the brotherly love between our two countries.
We continue to remember
and pray for all the inhabitants of the Noto Peninsula affected by the natural
disasters, where one of our sisters, Sara Elena Santos (Mexican, member of the
Tokyo Convent), will offer three weeks of service to accompany those who are
currently in need of assistance. Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude
to those who continue to make it possible for Japan and Sierra Leone to walk
together, with the certainty that the Lord Himself, faithful to His Word, will
reward them.
Tow pictures of Children. "The smiles on
the children's faces are undoubtedly an expression of gratitude for the steps
we take every day to make a difference in their lives."
P.2 “BUILDING OUR NATION BY EDUCATING THE GIRL –
CHILD” By Sr. Josephine Kamara, Regional
Superior Novenber 4 2024
Throughout its mission
in the country of Sierra Leone, the Congregation of the Clarissan Missionary
Sisters has dedicated her time and energy to the education of the Girl-child in
this part of the world.
This Academic year we
have embarked on it once more with renewed enthusiasm and hope. On 9th
September of the present year, Schools reopened for the 2024-2025 Academic
Year, we have therefore run through 8 weeks. Our activities include not only
academics but also the religious, socio-cultural, and sports/athletics, all is
aimed at giving the girls an integral education; since they are the future
leaders and mothers. In their hands lie the tomorrow of our nation, therefore,
we would like to prepare them well so they can make a difference in the future.
Most of the girls have
high aspirations and are enthusiastic about achieving their goals and dreams in
life. In spite of all the difficulties, most of them push forward to obtain the
best in the teaching and learning process. One important aspect we try to
promote among our pupils is self-motivation, so that they can make it in life,
because most of their parents do not have formal education nor the means of
helping them get a higher education in life.
As a school and as
religious women, we help the girls understand that everything in life requires
effort and self-discipline, with it our dreams can come true and the future of
the country is brighter. Thank you (in the original)
P.2 TO EVERYONE AT THE "TOMO
NI AYUMU KAI" (WALKING TOGETHER ) , WHICH I MISS VERY MUCH
By Sr. Bernadette Kazuko Shirahata October
22, 2024
I
am writing to each and every member of the "Walking Together" group
from faraway Africa. In early February, I had stomach problems and was suddenly
told to go to the Mile 91 clinic. I was planning to return to Lunsar in a week
or two, as usual. Around the same time, Sister Esmeralda, the principal of
Tamagawa Shirayuri Kindergarten, also returned to Mexico. Her knee condition
had worsened after a traffic accident, so she was undergoing surgery on her
knee and other parts of her body. However, due to various circumstances, the
surgery was postponed. But I couldn't be admitted to the
clinic because there were many tuberculosis patients there. I stayed at the nearby
Yonibana Monastery and did work that I could do sitting down. I spent my time
doing embroidery and church work.
Also, in early
February, the Rector and Vice Rector visited us and we had a very precious time
together. The Rector met with each of us and also went to a mass at a church 20
minutes away from Mile 91 and Yonibana Monastery. The Rector was very kind and took
great care of each of the members. In September, we had a mass to celebrate the
25th anniversary of the convent life of the director, Sister Patricia, and the
nurse, Sister Adriana.
I
returned to Lunsar on September 23rd and was able to work at the kindergarten. Sister Elisabeth is
now acting as the director instead of Sister Esmeralda. I teach music as
before, but I also draw illustrations of what the teachers have taught me. I
can't go anywhere by myself, but the sisters always come with me and help me. I
go back to the monastery at 12 o'clock to do sewing work. I'm told not to do
any work in my room after dinner.
The people here still
live very difficult lives. We religious also feel anxious about today's
society. However, just like Mary, I think it is important to always trust in
the Lord and pray for His guidance.
The Pope says,
"There is no true worship that does not lead to service to others."
Like the Good Samaritan, God does not ignore us. He knows our pain. He knows
how much we need His help and comfort. He draws close to us and heals us. Pope
Francis says:
"He knows our
pain. He knows how much we need His help and comfort. He comes to us and
embraces us. He waits even when we refuse." I will not be jealous when I
see young people walking the path of God with energy, I will humbly seek the
help of others even when I am unable to work for them, and I will always be
kind and gentle even when I am weak and can no longer be of use to others.
The burden of old age
is a gift from God, and I think it is a precious task to be grateful for
everything I have experienced, to reflect on myself, and to slowly remove the
chains that bind me to this world and the sadness that will allow me to return
to my hometown (heaven).
Thanks to all of you, our
children are able to enjoy delicious school lunches every day this year.
We are truly grateful. We appreciate your continued support. We sincerely pray
that God's protection will be with each and every one of you and your families.
Picture Sister Bernadette Shirahata
checks the health of the children every morning.
P.3 “MY DREAM COME TRUE”
BY Marian Adamsay Kamara,
University Scholarship Student (Nurse)
Becoming
a nurse has always been my dream since I was a young child. I was inspired by
the nurses (Religious Sisters) who took care of the sick people in our local
community – Mile 91 and I knew that I wanted to make a difference in
people's lives just as like they did. After years of hard work and
dedication, I finally achieved my dream of becoming a nurse and it has been the
most fulfilling experience of my life.
My
journey to becoming a nurse was not easy. I had to overcome many obstacles and
challenges along the way; I would like to thank the people
and sisters who supported me through the "Walking Together
Association". I had to study long hours to pass my
exams, but through it all, I never lost sight of my dream and I knew that all
of the hard work would worth it in the end. Finally, after years of studying
and working towards my goal, I graduated from nursing school with a good
result. I was filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment as I walked
across the stage to receive my diploma. I knew that I had finally achieved my
dream and I was ready to begin my career as a nurse and to save as many lives
as possible. Thanks be to God, I am now working at the Hospital in my
community, owned by the Sisters; whilst waiting for my license from the
government. My first job was at the maternity room (ward). I was nervous at
first, but as soon as I started working, I knew that I had found my calling. I
was able to use my skills and knowledge to help people in their time of need
and I felt like I was making a real difference in the world. I have had the
opportunity to work in many different areas of Nursing, from Maternity to
Pediatrics. Each experience has been rewarding in its own way and I have
learned so much from each patient that I have had the privilege of caring for.
One of the most memorable moments was when a patient who had been in a coma for
weeks woke up and thanked me for taking care of him.
It
was a moment that I will never forget and it reminded me of why I became a
nurse in the first place - to help people and make a difference in their lives.
Becoming a nurse has been a dream come true for me. I am so grateful for the
opportunity to care for others and make a positive impact in my community and
the world at large.
Nursing
is not just a job for me, it is a calling and I am honored to be able to do
what I love every day. (in the original)
P.4 “WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY”
By Zainab M. Conteh, Girl from
Guadalupe Secondary School3rd Grade of Junior Secondary School
My
name is Zainab M. Conteh, a proud pupil of Our Lady of Guadalupe Secondary
School, Lunsar. I am in the 3rd Grade of Junior Secondary School and I stay in
the Boarding Home during the school year, since my parents live in Freetown.
I
would like to share with you what makes me happy in life. First and foremost,
I’m happy when I'm with my family because they give me a lot of joy and
attention, we have fun together, especially with my two sisters – one elder and
the other younger than me.
Secondly,
I am happy when I am with my classmates in school, because we share knowledge
and exchange ideas, thereby learning each day from one another. Secondly, I am
happy when I am with my classmates in school, because we share knowledge and
exchange ideas, thereby learning each day from one another.
A third thing that makes me happy is helping
the poor and needy, example, assisting them, giving them food or cleaning for
them. We have a neighbor who is handicapped, so I like helping her do the house
chores whenever I go for holidays.
Last but not the least, I feel happy when I am
with my role model, she helps me to speak English better, by correcting me when
I make mistakes.
I am blest to be at the Our Lady of Guadalupe
Secondary School, Lunsar. Thank you. (in the original)
P.4 “MY FAMILY”
By Elsie Sesay A girl from
Guadalupe Elementary School, Class 3
My
name is Elsie Sesay. I am 9 years old and I am in Class 3. I live with my
mother, my brother and sister. Our father left us when I was 4 years old, so my
mother came to a town called Lunsar to search for a job and so help us get food
and education.
My
mother got a job with the religious Sisters at Our Lady of Guadalupe Secondary
School Lunsar, where she helps to wash dishes in the Boarding Home to gain a
salary.
My mother is a very hard working woman, she
works day and night to see that we get a living and go to school. My big
brother is 13 years old and in Secondary school and I have a younger Sister in
Class 2. I love my family very much and I ask God to bless them. (in the
original)
P.5 MY FIRST TIME IN A REGIONAL
CITY AND 8-DAY HOMESTAY
By Yuka Matsubara, doctoral course
enrollment, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo
Following my visit last September, I
was able to visit Sierra Leone again for a month from the end of June to the
end of July.
Last year was my first visit to Sierra
Leone, and the purpose was to get to know the city and prepare for my research. The main purpose of this second
trip was to visit Bo, the second largest city in the country, and to carry out
research for my doctoral thesis. Last time, I was looked after by a local
acquaintance all the time, but this time I set a goal to be able to move around
on my own, so I tried to go to the research site and buy the necessary daily
necessities on my own. Before I knew
it, I was crossing the main road by myself, memorizing the way to the research
site, and by the last week, I was giving directions to the driver of a keke
(three-wheeled motorcycle). Unfortunately, due to the tight schedule, I was not
able to visit Lunsar, but I had many exciting days in Bo and Freetown. In this
article, I would like to introduce the most memorable experience, the
difficulty of the rainy season, and my 8-day homestay in Bo.
The rainy season in
Sierra Leone peaks in August. Therefore, while my previous trip was towards the
end of the rainy season, this trip was between the beginning and middle of the
rainy season. Before I left, a Sierra Leone friend warned me that it would be
better to return home before August, because the rain would prevent me from
going anywhere. However, I hadn't been bothered by the rain during my stay last
year, so I thought it would be fine, but I realized the meaning of that advice
from the first week of my stay.
Immediately after
arriving, even though it was still June, there was heavy rain, strong winds,
and thunder every night, more intense than a direct hit from a typhoon,
something I had never experienced in Japan. In mid-July, the rain continued to
fall during the day, and at the end of July, the last week of my stay, a heavy
rain warning was issued in Freetown, and there were days when I could not leave
the hotel at all. The time I spent listening to the thunder in a hotel room
during the power outage caused by the storm and thunder strangely aroused
anxiety and loneliness... Every morning, I drove my keke through the flooded
roads to the research site, but on days when it continued to rain during the
day, appointments were often canceled because the rain made it impossible to go
to work. I wondered what would happen with the rain in August, and how the
people living in Sierra Leone would spend the year... It was the rainy season,
but it seems that the rain does not continue all over Sierra Leone. I stayed in
Bo for 8 days from July 4th to 12th, and it hardly rained during my stay, and
it seemed that the rainy days finally increased at the end of July. Therefore,
I was able to carry out my research smoothly in Bo compared to Freetown.
During the eight days
in Bo, I stayed with a Sierra Leone acquaintance. The house was about a
15-minute drive from the center of Bo, on a side street off the main road that
connects regional cities. While there were mud-walled houses around, it was a
fine concrete house surrounded by a sturdy wall. However, the infrastructure
development was still lagging behind compared to the capital, Freetown, and
there were power outages every day, cooking was done over charcoal instead of
gas, and showers every night were done with a bucket of boiled water drawn from
a well.
The first thing that surprised me during my
eight days there was the Sierra Leone's view of family. There were a total of
seven nephews and nieces of the couple who owned the house. In Sierra Leone,
the relationship is "siblings, including cousins," and children spend
their time going back and forth between their parents' and their parents'
siblings' houses. For example, if both parents work and are unable to take care
of their children, they can be looked after by their parents' parents or
siblings for a few months. It is common for the whole "family,"
including relatives, to raise children. When I think about it, the family that
I looked after in Freetown also lived with their nephews and nieces. This
custom is said to be fading in the capital, Freetown, but I think it is still
deeply rooted. I was also surprised to see that the other hand, they were very
surprised that I was living alone, and that in Japan, many people live alone
after graduating from high school to continue their education or get a job. I
was bombarded with questions about why I was living alone, leaving my family
and relatives, whether I was lonely, whether I could live alone, etc. From the
perspective of the people of Sierra Leone, I think that even if you leave your
parents' home to go to school or work, you can just go to a reliable relative's
house. Thinking about it, I realized that the fact that I only go back to my
parents' house a few times a year and my parents' parents' house once every few
years may be weakening my ties with my family.
I was also surprised to
find that it was the children who were primarily responsible for the housework.
As the school holidays were happening during my stay, the seven children at
home, ranging from elementary school students to university students, were
cleaning, doing laundry, and cooking all day long, starting at around 6am.
I was also surprised to find that it was the children who were primarily
responsible for the housework. As the school holidays were
happening during my stay, the seven children at home, ranging from elementary
school students to university students, cleaned, washed, and cooked all day,
starting at around 6:00 in the morning. This custom seems to still exist in the
capital, Freetown, and when I stayed with a host family for two days there, the
children were in charge of the housework while their parents were at work. The reason it took a whole day to do
the housework was because they didn't have washing machines, so they washed the
clothes by hand using well water, and cooked over charcoal. Each household chore
took a lot of time. For example, preparing dinner started around 3:00 p.m. and
took 4-5 hours. Instead, they used the time they spent doing the housework to
play, and while the ingredients were heating up, they played card games, played
music, danced, played tag, and watched Nigerian movies together. After
finishing my daytime research, I also went to the kitchen to play with the
children and learn their ethnic language.
This was my second visit, and I was able to
see new aspects of Sierra Leone that I had not seen during my previous visit.
My research also went smoothly, with results exceeding my expectations at the
city councils, district councils, and ministries I visited for my research. I
have not yet decided when I will return, but I hope to return as soon as
possible. I would like to plan to meet the sisters again when I do so.
P.6 COMMENTS FROM
SUPPORTERS (EXCERPTS)
*Every
time I see the bright smiling faces of young people in Sierra Leone in the
newsletter, I feel a deep gratitude for peace. Thank you as
always.
*Momoyo" means "Thank you" in the local language.
It's so cute. I pray that Sister Shirahata and Sister Esmeralda will
recover as soon as possible.
*Thank
you for the newsletter. Through the newsletter, I have learned that no matter
what the situation, "learning" enriches life. The power of education
is "great."
* We are always grateful for your work. Thank you for
sending us the 45th issue of our newsletter the other day. Sister Yoshida is
also working hard at the monastery work she has been asked to do while being
careful about her health. Also, thank you for visiting the grave. I think
Sister Negishi is also happy. We are grateful for your kindness. Please take
care of yourself as the seasons change... We are praying for Representative
Kanno and everyone else. Sr. Chieko Kamoi, Superior of the
Japanese Region of the Clarissan Missionary
P.８ Pictures （Top） Happy faces of OLG high
school students walking with Sister Josephine Kamara （Middle） Sr. Shirahata playing
the melodica for children. （Bottom） “I always encourage my
students to have high aspirations and to study independently. The future of
this country rests on these students ”(Principal Josephine
Kamara)