Maryknoll Sisters

By Sr. Margaret Kollmer

I had the privilege of going back to the country I love again this year.

The occasion was the joint meetings of the International Council of Nurses Congress, the Korean Nurses Association Annual Meeting, and the Korean Association of Nurse Anesthetist Annual Meeting being held at the same time. The ICN attendees, all nurses, were from 139 countries around the world, and numbered over 17,000 members. If you remember, shortly before the meetings were to begin, South Korea had the occurrence of an incident of MERS infection, brought to Korea by a person from the Mid East. This caused, in the two weeks I was there, the quarantine of 7,000 people, and the deaths of 36 people out of the 186 who were stricken with the disease. For those of you who are unaware of this, MERS is a virus infection, caused by contact (not airborne), which does not respond to any known antibiotic treatment, and is quite serious. Luckily the measures taken to control this outbreak were efficient, and the disease was controlled.

The ICN had as its theme, ―Global Health, Global Nursing.‖ Dr. Margaret Chang, the National Director of the World Health Organization, gave the opening address. In it she commended Korea on its response to the crisis, which controlled the outbreak, preventing further spread of the disease throughout the country. She then went on to urge the nurses of all countries to become more involved and active in helping to write the laws regarding health affairs in their own countries. She said many countries are now beginning to organize health systems, and now is the time for the Nurses to take an active role in seeing that the laws are proper to meet the health needs of all peoples, especially the poor and those without a voice. It was most inspiring.

The Korean Nurse Anesthetists had one of the many booths at the ICN, which gave the history of our Association, as well as having two models to try different anesthesia technics- spinal/epidural anesthesia, as well as intubation. It was most impressive.

The other two meetings were held nearby and the Korean Nurses Association stressed the importance of working together.

The Korean Association of Nurse Anesthetists held an International seminar on the Nurse Anesthetist work globally. The opening address was given by Gye Seon Jeong, President of the KANA, currently professor at Chungnam University, Kwangju,Korea. I was asked to give the first lecture on the history of the Korean Association of Nurse Anesthetists, which I began so many years ago. The speakers were all CRNA‗s: Pascal Rod, of France; KimTae Min of Halla University, Korea; Hae Sang Yeun of Inchon, Korea; Jackie Rowles of Indiana now President of the IFNA (International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists): Yun Suk Jeon from Helsinki, Finland; and MiChong Rayborn from the US, all speaking on issues relevant to the NA around the world.

Needless to say, it was an eventful time, each day bringing new friends, meeting old acquaintances, and seeing the changes in Korean Nurse Anesthesia History which are relevant, challenging, and still a work in progress. I was most delighted to have been there, and the biggest gift was that I did not forget any of my Korean Language skills despite an absence of nearly three years from Korea. It was difficult to say goodbye…

By Abby Avelino

I thought I‘d write today about what hap-pened and whom I met throughout the day. I am grateful for all those people. I started my usual third Sunday schedule very early. We had a Baptism ceremony for two infants; one boy with an Afri-can father and Japanese mother. The African father was in immigration detention and was given a “karihoumen” (temporary re-lease) for a year. Although he is married to a Japanese woman he’s not sure whether their relationship will work out. He is in the process of getting a “spouse” visa but it takes time to get his papers processed.

(The motivation for a number of interracial marriages is to obtain legal im-migration status). I pray that he gets his visa soon and he could live together peacefully with his wife and his son, D.

The other one-year old baby girl, R‘s parents are both Filipino. They are so happy that finally she got baptized. They don’t have much time to be together and they work hard in order to make a living for their two children. They seem a happy family.

After the Baptism ceremony, a Japanese woman came. Her mother died the week before. She shared that her mother’s funeral went well and appreciated all prayers and support re-ceived. Both of her parents suffered dementia; she is now caring for her elderly father. I do pray for her and all caregivers.

Few minutes after, another Filipino family came. Their daughter, Eliana is one of the altar servers and she‗s in my ‗first communion‘ preparation class. This family migrated to Japan because of her father’s job. They’re one of the few families that luckily settled here in Japan and with a stable job. We enjoy one another in class.

While I was talking with them, a girl from Marshall Islands came. She wants to be an altar server. She and her mother came as part of a diplomatic family. Her grandfather is the Ambassador to Japan from the Mar-shalls. I have known this family for quite some time. Mr. Kijiner was taught by Maryknoll Sisters in Marshalls when he was a young boy. I thought what a small world…now their grandchildren are in my catechism class.

During 12 noon mass, I met Maria, a Filipina with her two teenage sons. Their father was Japanese and died a few years ago. Maria is very worried about their future here in Japan. Her problem is very common for migrant mothers…dealing with her bi-cultural sons and Japanese in-laws. After mass, two Filipina came for a consultation. One is a single-mother and has difficulty dealing with her teenage daughter…a typical teenager who would like to be independent. M is concerned about her daughter‗s future and their relationship as a family.

These are a few of many stories that I hear every day and these are some difficult situations for every person. I work at St. Ignatius Church (Tokyo) doing pastoral ministry primarily with migrants/ immigrants from Philippines, Africa, Americas, Europe, Myanmar, and many more. I hear many stories….domestic violence prob-lems, visa problems, financial problems, spiritual hunger, homelessness, parenting problems, difficulty of caregiv-ing for the elderly, etc…It is a challenging ministry but I love accompanying the parishioners even just to listen to their stories and pay attention to their needs. We share our joys and hopes as we journey together as sisters and brothers in Christ.

Street children are seen by the community as hooligans or ruffians and are to be avoided. Some see vulnerable children as orphans the result of their parents misconduct as they died of HIV/AIDS. Consequently they are not given the opportunity to live and act as children. The vulnerable youth are always mistaken for petty thieves and people who cannot be trusted. Children over time begin to identify with the projections of the community losing in the process their self dignity. This in general affects their self esteem even after being reintegrated back into the community.

Recently a street child who was participating in class under a tree stole a tap from one man’s compound in order to sell it to get food. This boy is the product from a relationship between a father and daughter. From birth this boy was an outcast. He was sent far away to relatives who could not accept him. The community seemed to know his history and even in school he was ostracized. He felt he had no other option but to go to the streets to find his future. The old man suspected that the tap was stolen by a street boy. He was aware of a group of such children who gathered nearby under a large tree. Enraged at the loss of his water tap he found the group he had observed under the tree. He accused the teacher for keeping thieves. It took several days and a return visit by the “thief of his water tab” to soften his heart. The teacher made the first approach and explained the history of the boy who had taken his water tap. The boy was allowed to approach and ask forgiveness. The old man was so touched by the boy and his story that he found a place for the boys to sleep securely at night and gave them some small monies in exchange for chores around his compound. And we see here how whole communities need to be educated about the vulnerable children in their midst seeking only to survive. Communities when educated and informed on the plight of vulnerable children can make the children thrive.

How are we helping….

Sister Jean Pruitt, pictured above, founded The DogoDogo Centr nearly 25 years ago. Dogodogo’s vision is of a Tanzania in which all children are empowered to enjoy their basic rights to survival, development, protection and participation in society.

The word “Dogodogo” is translated from Swahili meaning “young ones”.

http://www.dogodogocentre.com/en/

By Juana Encalada

This is almost my sixth month in Aileu, East Timor.

I have been attending a language program for 9 weeks and volunteering in my free time.

It has been a very good experience; it is helping me to understand a little bit more about the Timorese culture.

In my first weeks, I experienced culture shock and what a change from Cambodia. In any case, I am grateful for the experience and the insights I gained through that. I feel more adjusted and grounded in the reality in front of me.

I observed a lot of abuse against children and animals during my walks and stay in Dili. I’ve had a few occasions to witness verbal and physical abuse and I felt helpless that I could do nothing to help the children, but I also learned through one of my teachers that I should have done nothing since it is part of the culture and one of the traditional ways to educate children. It is/was hard!

The great news is that a number of organizations with the government are starting to respond to this problem.

I continue to enjoy my visits to rural areas with the mo-bile clinic and spending time with special needs children and young adults. It is so wonderful to see their faces of joy!

I was also asked to teach English to a group of young adults. They seem very motivated and enthusiastic in class. It is fun to be able to teach and refresh my knowledge of how I learned, too, and still do.

While Sr. Rosalva is on renewal I am accompanying a group of Catechists every other Saturday. It is wonderful to listen as they reflect on the readings. I am just a listener and enjoy seeing their interaction and sharing. Many of them ask about our sisters who spent time with them.

Winter has arrived here and the winds, too! I am trying to keep warm after so many years in a warm country!

It is wonderful to hear the wind sound, and at times it carries the voices of young people singing, laughing or talking. ~Juana~