SHOTOKU GAKUIN’S CREATIVE ADAPTATION AMIDST THE EMERGING PANDEMIC
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we will notfear…” (Psalm 46:1-2)
SHOTOKU GAKUIN, is a school in Matsue, Japan. This school was owned, administered, and had been a platform of evangelization of the Hijas de Jesus sisters then. However, some years ago, the school was totally turned over to the lay. Now, the new school owners/administrators continue its thrust of accompanying and molding the young of today.
The global crisis due to COVID-19 has challenged everyone on how to be creative and give a positive response. Without a doubt the school administrators maximized the use of technology in these trying times and launched a virtual classroom to keep them close with their young students. It is indeed a positive approach. Then, the strong spirit of fraternity and solidarity among them the educative community have urged them to be sensitive to the needs of others. With creativity and resourcefulness, they made handcrafted washable face masks and shared them with their neighbors and to those in need. Shotoku Gakuin in a way serves as an instrument of hope to people in the midst of uncertainties no matter how simple it may be.
To discover a deeper meaning of this pandemic, the school finds COVID-19 its acronym.
C – care for the sick,
O – offer help,
V – value your family by spending quality time with them,
I – improve your talents/skills at home,
D – daily care for your health,
1 – progress and shows new beginnings and
9 – means spiritual enlightenment, serving people and becoming a good example.
Read the article HERE, on the website of the Indian-Pacific province.
