家庭．工作．人的價值

一位核數師朋友於數年前辭去薪金優厚的工作，原因是工作時間太長，每天都要加班至晚上八、九時甚至更夜，完全沒有私人時間陪伴家人或休息閒暇，終於她下定決心跟非人生活說再見。辭掉工作後她有年多時間在非本行業任兼職工作，薪金自然大打折扣，但她卻感到生活比從前寫意得多。早前再見她，她說已轉回老本行，但她選擇了比從前低兩級的工作職位，即薪金亦較低。然而，工作量卻比較輕，雖然間中亦要加班，但平日晚上可以回家晚膳或報讀與工作無關的興趣課程，亦可在假日做運動和遠足，看到她變得更健康和開朗也為她高興。

這位朋友在工作和家庭及閒暇生活之間作了選擇，不是非此即彼的選擇，卻反映了她認同工作不是生活的全部（雖然她工作時也很認真和盡責），她清楚自已對優質生活及與家人建立關係的追求，亦考慮到家人在精神和物質生活的需要，最後決定寧可放棄高職位工作，而選擇了可維持基本良好生活的工作，既能學以至用，亦可在工作和家庭生活之間作平衡。

這可說是一個幸運的例子，從這朋友身上可體現工作的主觀幅度，如教會社會訓導所言：人以有計劃的和理性的方式來工作和從事各種活動，為自己作決定，並且邁向自我實現的方向。這種工作的主觀意義賦予工作獨特的尊嚴，令工作不至淪為簡單的商品或生產過程中非人性化工具。正是這位朋友的有意識地對工作的選擇，令我們看到「人是工作的主體」，而不是被工作所操控。

然而，不是所有人都像筆者這位朋友那麼幸運，可找到一份合意的工作。同是工作的主體，不少基層工友卻慘被雇主奪去應具有尊嚴的工作環境和合理對待，就如王女士的例子。王女士十年前從國內來港與家人團聚，由於學歷不高，且已步入中年，只找到工時薪酬少的清潔工。這些年來為賺取足夠的金錢養家，王女士的工作時間愈做愈長，但薪金卻不見得高了多少。工作時間長固然影響自己的休息時間，更影響與丈夫子女的溝通相聚時間。

社會訓導固然指出，人是工作的目標，無論做甚麼樣的工作，即使一般被視為最單調、最受輕視、純服務性的工作，都不損其價值。因此，無論從事會計或清潔，從教會角度來看，該工作均具有同樣的價值，工作者亦具有同等的尊嚴。然而，這是教會的理想，社會的主流價值可不是這樣看，不同工種和類別的工作有迥然不同的待遇，有時，待遇之差甚至令人質疑這是否一個人辛勞工作後應有的回報。就如王女士，她對社會的貢獻不比從事其他工作的人少，事實上她承擔了別人不願擔當的工作，但薪金卻連基本維生也不能，以至要多做兩份兼職，弄至每天放工回家均疲憊不堪。這都是歸咎於社會人士對人的價值和工作的價值有不同的看法，亦無視工作報酬對維持家庭生活的重要性。

自許文明發達的香港社會，對人和工作分等級愈來愈嚴重。我們的社會到什麼時候才真正體會到人是具尊嚴的個體，是工作的主體，而不是工作的機器和奴隸呢！

(刊於公教報 2008年12月7 日)

145th anniversary of St. Vincent de Paul Society 聖雲先會慶祝145周年

今年是香港聖雲先會成立145年，國際總會會長來港參與慶典，並選了我的堂區聖猶達堂探訪，瞭解我們的工作和出席我們的會議．　　　　　　　　　　

不經不覺加入聖雲先會已經兩年，我所屬的堂區的聖雲先會於2007年初才成立，起初見有人在堂區派單張呼籲教友加入，我便主動上前表示有興趣．過往我主要參與的社會牧職主要是倡議政策和培育，比較少做直接服務．自從在美國讀書期間透過Care Through Touch Institute做了兩年義工服務，在三藩市和柏克萊的不同社區中心服務無家者，回港後我希望一邊繼續正義和平關社事工，另一方便親身接觸貧窮社群，服務他們與他們同行，這也跟我在美國修讀的兩科有關，這兩科都是有關靈修生活與倫理生活／解放行動．

參與聖雲先會的兩年間，除了探訪老人院外，亦跟進了幾個個案，長期與受助者接觸，瞭解他們的需要和進展，同時與他們建立朋友關係．其實，知道了他們的處境後，真的不能不佩服他們的堅強和樂觀面對現實，雖然有時也有氣餒和挫敗感的時候．但願透過與他們建立關係，我（與其他會員）能將天主的愛帶給他們．

Celebration of Fr. Hurley's 50th Anniversary of Ordination

This year is Fr. James Hurley's 50th anniversary of ordination. The Justice and Peace Commission organized a celebration with him and I attended the dinner, sitting next to him.

Fr. Hurley was the eccelesiastical adviser of JP from Dec 1990 to September 1996, that is, just before the handover of sovereignty of Hong Kong from Britain to China. Six years is not a short period. That period was the first six years when I worked in JP, and I got quite acquaintance with Fr. Hurley. Since that period was the political transitional period of Hong Kong, many social issues became very sensitive. Very often, Fr. Hurely acted as a bridge between JP and the Diocese, especially when the relationship between JP and the Diocese was not that close at that time.

I was especially impressed by an event in 1996 about the political structure of the transitional government. JP held a different opinion from the Diocese and the issue was put on the mass media. Finally, Fr. Hurley help us to communicate with the leaders of the Church and arranged a special meeting to discuss the issue. An agreement between the two parties was reached after the dialogue. I think Fr. Hurley contributed a lot in this issue and also gave me much encouragement to continue to work at JP.

Fr. Hurley has been involved in social justice issues long before joining JP as our adviser. He has been the chaplain of the Federation of Catholic Students in the 60s and 70s. He also involved actively in Amnesty International and has been a factory worker so as to experience the life of the workers' class. He also set up a justice and peace group in the parish where he was a parish priest. I appreciated his enthusiamism in social justice a lot.

The next day after the dinner, Fr. Hurley called me twice to thank me. He left voice message to me but I missed the call. Then he called again. When I was able to contact him, he said he just wanted to say thank you. He is such a considerate person! He is a priest who makes you feel being respected whenever you talk with him. I can feel the sincere attitudes from what he does.

I remember a Benedictine monk once said, "I want to treat everyone I meet as if I meet Jesus." I think that's also what Fr. Hurley has put into practice all these years.

Leisure Walk at Mai Po Wetland Park

I joined the Walk for Nature with two friends organized by the World Wildlife Fund on a Sunday morning, and had chance to visit Mai Po Wetland Park. The day was sunny and beautiful. This area is famous for wetland and the varieties of birds and plants.

Mai Po is reagrded as wetland under the Convention of Ramsan. To be recognized as wetland, there must be more than 20,000 birds in the area. Wetland is differnt from ocean and land, water is shallow here and suitable for various kinds of animals, birds and plants to stay. Many birds from different part of the world migrate to Mai Po at certain season and then fly to other places. However, due to weather change, temperature becomes higher and higher, thus less birds fly to Mai Pao and stay here for a period of time.

Apart from raising fund for WWF, the walkathon also aimed at raising awareness on the enviromental issues and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, there were games and exhibition on certain spots, so as to share information on global warming, saving energy, water-saving, legal lumbering, healthy food and so on.

One interesting game is to calcuate the "Carbon footprint." We can help saving energy and protecting enviroment in our daily lives. For example:

Clothes

- send unwanted clothes to charity groups and buy less unnecessary things

- use less plastic bags and bring your own recycle bag

Eat

- eat less meat and more vegetables

- avoid buying food transparted from afar

Home

- turn off unused appliances

- set the temperature of the air-conditioner 1 degree celsius higher, you can reduce 200kg of carbon dioxide in a month, or just turn off the air-conditioner

Travel

- take public transport

- walk more whenever possible

- take train for travelling instead of by air

I think I am quite enviromental friendly and always remind myself of leading a sustainable lifestyle. But I need to promote this awarness to more people. Otherwise, the earth is till suffering from sickness.

After a few hours walk, I found the place so relaxing and beautiful. If we want to keep the nature like this, we must be proactive to share the message of enviromental protection to other people. We must start doing from ourselves.

Eid Party

I attended an Eid Party today being organized by the Catholic Labor Centre and its ethnic minorty women's group. After fasting for a month, the Pakistani women organized this party to celebrate the end of this religious event and also share their culture with the volunteers of the project who are mainly local Chinese. They prepared delicious Pakistan food for the participants.

When I arrived the Centre, I saw many Pakistani women with their children had already filled the whole room. They were chatting with each other in Urdu, the Pakistan language. I found a seat who was next to a South Asian. He introduced himself as James who was teaching at the Social Work Department of HKU. I asked him whether he was a volunteer too. He said two of his students were interns of the Centre during summer. He told me how he knew this Pakistan project in a rally and was interested in the work they did. That's why he tried to arrange students to do internship in the Labour Centre. As we chat, I found that we met each other long time ago, when I worked in Justice and Peace Commission and attended a meeting on Asian Human Rights Charter. What a coincident that we met again! I also talked with the two social work students and was interested in the workshops they organized for the Pakistani women, helping them to raise their self-awareness, self-esteem and health knowledge. Besides, I also gave pictures which was taken when I visited homes of Pakistani women and conducted interviews with them. They were excited and look happy when they saw the photos.

The most impressive moment was the time when members of the women group shared their feelings and their changes after joining the group. Many of them said that they discovered their value and talents after joining the group and started doing embroidery work.

“Before I joined the group I often thought that I didn’t have value, but after joining this group I know that I can share my talents with others.”

“Before I just stayed at home, but now I join this group and can earn money through my work. I am very happy now and realise my value and talents.”

“I can widen my scope, know more about the society and Chinese by joining this group. I know some friends here and can make something for Chinese people in Hong Kong.”

“Though we have different cultures, Chinese and Pakistani can live in harmony without discrimination.”

We can see many of them undergo changes and gain more self-confidence and self-esteem through the women’s group.

I am very happy that I have chance to join this party, meeting the Pakistani women and their children again, hearing sharing from their hearts, getting to know some volunteers , the social work students and their teacher James, enjoying their delicious food, and so on.

I think it is a valuable time to learn more about their culture and build relationships through this social gathering. For me, it is a moment full of gratitude in which God allows me to appreciate more culture of another country and religion.

非洲之旅 Out of Africa

最近去了非洲肯雅兩星期，旅程中有機會去了內羅比近郊的嘉倫一趟，在那裡的咖啡花園午膳和參觀嘉倫博物館，親臨《非洲之旅》(Out of Africa)一書的作者Karen Bilxen曾居住十七年之久的地方。回港後重看根據原著改編而成的八十年代拍成的同名經典電影(由薜尼波勒導演)，回味旅途中曾經驗的野生動物之旅(safari影片中是野外狩獵)、遇過的馬賽族人(Massai)和古庫尤族人(Kikyku)、非洲人特強的音律和美麗歌聲。當然，還有令人再思考影片中帶出的黑人和白人（非黑人）的關係和相處之道。

　　「非洲之旅」是作者記述自己在肯雅十七年間的經歷和故事。丹麥貴族嘉倫(由梅麗史翠普飾演)與表親婚後前往肯雅購買土地開設農場，僱用了大批當地人工作，時為二十世紀初。由嘉倫母親的家族支持購入的土地佔地四千多畝，嘉倫只開墾了六百畝作為咖啡園，其餘的土地依舊由土著古庫尤人居住。

　　影片展現了一位女子如何在異地面對各種挑戰，包括因丈夫不忠而令自己染上性病、在新環境下適應另一文化的生活方式和處事手法、部族猶長對孩子接受教育的不同取態、與一位英國狩獵者發展感情關係和最終面對他的死亡、咖啡園財政出現困難和最終起火慘遭燒燬等等。可說道出了人生中的愛與恨、起與落、快樂和沮喪。同時，亦反映了一位在異地生活的女子的堅強和勇敢、獨立和能幹。

　　嘉倫返國醫病後再次回到肯雅，可能經歷了在生死邊緣徘徊，體會到人生應有更多追求，並在能力範圍內為其他人做點事，痊癒後的她想到為當地兒童辦學，讓他們讀書識字，所以聘請了一位傳教士充當教師。她的原意是好的，一心將自己認為好的和重要的傳遞給當地古庫尤族兒童，使土著不再愚昧無知，令他們變為有知識的人。當她興致勃勃地與從事狩獵的友人(由羅拔烈福飾演) 分享這計劃時，卻換來一盤冷水，被質疑太主觀和自以為擁有一切。她以為學習西方文化白人的故事是好事，卻被質疑忽略了土人亦有他們的故事，只是沒有被書寫下來罷了；她以為土著無知，希望改變當地人，卻被質疑喜歡改革，欲將非洲土人變成小英國人，即所謂文明人；她以為自己擁有很多，包括農地、瓷器，甚至古庫尤人，並為這一切付出代價，卻被反駁西方人在肯雅並非擁有者，而是過客而已。後來，當嘉倫向猶長提出為兒童辦學時，還向猶長說讀書很有價值，將來兒童必定會紀念他。哪知猶長竟說，英國人也讀書寫字，但對古庫尤族人有什麼好處？言下之意是自以為文明有學識的人不也是用粗暴的手段佔據本屬土人的土地，沒有尊重他們的文化。雖然如此，但最終猶長也准許年幼兒童學習英語。這事反映了嘉倫雖然出於好意，但在初期她與其他白人一樣，有一種白人優越感，還未學習欣賞非洲文化本身的特色。

其實，片中這種白人和土著的關係亦是不少殖民者和殖民地原住民之間的關係。由於歷史中不少傳教士是隨殖民者到發展中國家傳統，天主教和基督教教會亦被指為帶著白人優越感以勝利者姿態「解放」和同化原住民，而不是以平等態度對待他們。傳教士的原意本是將自己認為珍貴的宗教信仰和好的價值觀帶給他人，但若透過不適當的方法則變成強加諸當地人身上，而未有用心聆聽他們的需要和尊重他們的文化。

到了今日，經歷過梵二的改變，天主教會對傳教的使命已有了更新的瞭解，傳教士們在學習當地語言、虛心瞭解當地人的文化和需要，並願意過簡樸生活服務當地人之餘，更探求如何將信仰本地化，以一種適合當地的方式更好地表達信仰，更從地方教會實踐信仰的經驗中再反省，豐富了在不同文化中信仰的表達方式，延續基督的愛人精神。

就如在影片中，經過長時間生活在當地，並與當地人接觸多了，慢慢地嘉倫愛上了這片土地和當地人，更與不少黑人成為好友，亦懂得為他們著想。在她離開肯雅前，更為土著爭取保存居住的土地。當她被政府官員拒絕撥地時，她更直斥官員，土地本屬土人所有，只是英國人強行佔了他們的土地，令土人變的無家可歸。可見當地人的問題已成為嘉倫的問題，她設身處地為他們著想，感到有責任將土地歸還給他們，讓他們有住處容身，最終如願以償。

　　在今次的肯雅之行，筆者有機會探訪了來自不同地方的傳教士，包括來自美國、加拿大、意大利，以及香港的陳倩盈師姐。她們無私地與當地人合作服務貧困者，謙虛地學習當地語言和文化，讓筆者體會到，憑著信念和愛心，人與人之間可以無分膚色種族互相扶持、和諧共處。在旅程中，筆者不只一次聽到不同的傳教士說，不要以為他們為當地人付出很多，其實傳教士們從當地人身上學到和因服務而獲得的回報更多。如果有權有勢的大國和大企業也懷有這胸襟和精神，國與國之間的強弱貧富定必不像現時那樣懸殊，而民族與民族、人與人之間必定更團結互助！

工商界只會自保利益?

立法會選舉已塵埃落定，但有關選舉的新聞並未因而減少。除了不少評論在探討為何社會民主連線這被視為較激進的政黨，當中三位候選人可高票當選，以及同屬泛民的公民黨雖然有四位候選人勝出，但有兩位都是險勝之外，較矚目的新聞要算是自由黨黨員周梁淑怡因在選舉中戰敗，而歸咎於黨友兼鄉議局主席劉皇發未有協助她拉票，她更因自由黨在直選中「全軍覆沒」，而推論選舉結果令立法會失去工商界的代表和聲音，使工商界對直選更有戒心。事件不但令人感到自由黨不作自我反省失敗原因反而諉過於人，埋怨建制派不配票，更令人再思工商界是否真的如自由黨所言不支持直選，以及只顧及工商界一已的利益而不關心社會上其他人的需要？

　　自周梁淑怡的言論一出，不少工商界人士和評論員已站出來指出她言過其實，自由黨既不能代表整個工商界，亦非立法會內唯一的工商界聲音；而自由黨現時所代表的工商界只是一小撮與自由黨領導層友好的財團利益或富豪的利益，而非不同類型和規模的企業、商會或工商團體的意見，又或關注整個營商環境的發展。不少人，包括從前活躍於自由黨內的人士，更直言自由黨已偏離當初的政治理念，甚或完全看不到它的政治理念和定位，那又如何維繫一個政黨，更遑論爭取選民支持。

　　其實，工商界並非鐵板一塊，老是著重大財團的利益，那是自由黨某些領導以至政府現時的傾斜政策，令不少政策未能為社會帶來公平發展，令社會上不同階層未能共享經濟成果。隨著社會發展和人類的思想進步，不少工商界人士和企業已看到要把生意營運成功，必須具長遠目光，建設有利的營商環境，令整個社區健康發展，使僱員有動機和動力投入工作中，令生產更有效，這才符合長遠利益。因此，有遠見的企業會重視社會責任、關心社會、支持環保政策、重視僱員權益，而不是盲目地只追求一己利益。
　　
　　令香港朝著一個健康的社會發展，所有政黨，包括自稱代表工商界的政黨，實有責任促使政府的施政朝向平等的社會發展，使公共利益凌駕於個人或功能組別利益之上，使政府可發揮資源和利益分配的功能；並讓社會上每一個人均有機會參與社會決策，表達對影響自己生活的政策之意見；和享受具質素的生活，包括教育、社區設施、休息和享受閒暇等。而政黨更要監督政府營造一個有利整體經濟發展的環境，令中、小型企業亦有發展空間，創造更多就業機會，令人民能自力更新，但當一些人無能力自顧和當工作條件太苛刻時，政黨有責任促使政府介入，從而保障人民的生活質素。這正是天主教社會訓導思想中致力提倡的社會秩序所應具備的要素，即大眾公益、財物公享、平等參與，及互補原則。
　　
　　觀乎今次的立法會選舉結果，除了自由黨不得選民支持外，社民連受到不同階層支持這現象，既反映了政府的傾斜大企業方向和「親疏有別」態度不得人心，亦顯示市民需要有人敢於指出政府的不公義和欠缺透明度的政策。雖然議會過於兩極化會造成更多爭拗，但在現時政治上缺乏公平參與的情況下，不少市民期望有更敢言的議員代為發言，抒發心中憤憤不平之氣。因此，政黨和政府實有需要多聆聽市民的聲音、瞭解其需要，並提供適合的參與渠道。

(公教報 21/9/2008)

為帶來希望而服務：在肯尼亞貧民窟中作見證的傳教士(上)

清潔的飲用自來水、衛生設施、照明用的電力……這些是現代家庭不能或缺的日常必須設備，但對生活在肯尼亞貧民區的居民來說卻是奢侈品。肯尼亞的首都內羅比的在非洲也算得上是發達城市，市中心內商廈林立，但貧富懸殊的程度實在令人驚訝。貧窮居民的生活足襟見肘，每天能否填飽肚子也成問題，更遑論有剩餘金錢看病或供子女上學讀書。因此，在貧民區內流連街頭的兒童比比皆是。

一位來自意大利的修女、一位來自美國的退休法律工作者和一位來自香港的女教師，三位女性就是因著這處境而在非洲相遇。她們雖來自不同的地方，卻不約而同地在肯尼亞的貧民區從事與教育有關的工作，矢志在發展中國家服務最貧困無助的人。她們都是被所屬的團體派遣到遠方服務的傳教士，為見證基督的愛貢獻自己所長。筆者與兩位教友在香港天主教教友傳信會的安排下，今年七月有機會踏足非洲認識她們，與她們傾談，聆聽她們的信仰經驗，並親身體驗她們身處的環境，實地瞭解她們在肯尼亞的工作。

為貧窮學童提供優質教育
　　
去年年底，肯尼亞總統大選之後發生的暴力衝突令很多人受傷以至喪失財產和性命，事件令原本已夠多問題的貧民窟雪上加霜，暴露出貧民區內其中的潛在危機，就是失業青年很容易聯群結黨，被利用採用暴力手段宣涉不滿。來自意大利的嘉諾撒仁愛會修女Sr. Maria Angela Massenti(下稱「馬修女」)就是看到這問題，毅然放下她從事多年的修會培育工作，決定承擔起鄰近貧民區的一間小型中學的校監工作，為區內適齡入學就讀的年青人提供機會接受正式教育，令青年不至浪費光陰。因著過往的社工經驗，馬修女對社會觸角較為敏銳，認為職務必須配合社會的需要。她認為這正是繼承了會祖瑪大利肋服務貧窮人的精神。

　　這個決定為馬修女帶來不少挑戰。曾在坦桑尼亞從事牧民工作、幾年前才來到肯尼亞的馬修女，指出在貧民區管理一間學校殊不簡單，從找尋財政資源到聘請校長教師到收生等大小事務都要親力親為。「我深信即使住在貧民區的青年亦有接受良好教育的權利。」就是憑著這信念令馬修女克服重重障礙下定決心辦好學校。　　

　　然而，要辦好一所中學所需的營運費用卻不少。「財政來源當然是面對的重大問題，但幸好有很多好心人願意以各種方式捐助，有些企業捐贈書本，有些捐贈學生午膳的食具，亦有不少個人和機構資助學生的部份學費。」現時，肯尼亞政府只為學童提供小學免費教育，對中學會給予一些補助，但必須符合某些條件。
　　講到收取學費問題，馬修女說「即使再貧窮的家庭，也不會完全免費，我會與家長坐下來商討他們可承擔的學費金額，餘下的我會盡力找人支持」，所以這所學校的學費可說因人而異，因為她不想讓家長和學生有乞憐的習慣，她希望學生的家庭也有一份承擔感，讓學校及家長共同為培養學生而努力。
　　除了財政因素，學生紀律亦是馬修女面對的另一難題。處於貧民區，學生之中少不免有家庭問題，馬修女深知要盡力瞭解年青人的心理。要學生守紀律專心上課並不容易，「在接手管理學校初期，我讓學生表達他們的學習動機和目的，以及心目中理想的學校和生活，令他們感到被尊重，珍惜這讀書機會。」　
　　在帶領我們參觀學校臨時校舍的時候，馬修女一邊為我們介紹學校的設施和擴充計劃，一邊與正在小息的學生和老師打招呼。她希望把學生人數由現時的350人增加至六、七百人，讓更多青年可接受正規教育，為日後工作做好準備。
　　面對繁重的工作量和難解的問題時，馬修女可有疲倦和想放棄的念頭呢？「每當我遇上問題，我會向天主祈禱，求天主的助佑。正由於經歷過不少波折，我知道問題始終會解決，天主會時常看守照顧我。」她又補充說，「有些樹因外在的風吹雨打令根部更穩固，好使樹幹屹立不移，對我來說，信仰就像一顆樹的根部，外在的阻力不只不會令信仰動搖，反而令我更堅強面對一切。」經過一席話後，我們更明白馬修女所言，「傳教士不會選擇去哪裡，只要哪裡有需要他們都會去。」

(刊於公教報 2008年9月14日)

為帶來希望而服務：在肯尼亞貧民窟中作見證的傳教士(下)

Stephanie (middle), a lay missionary from Hong Kong

稱服務對象為朋友的傳教士Vikki

懷著同樣熱誠來到肯尼亞貧民區服務的是來自美國的退休律師維琪．史密斯(Vikki Smith)。維琪是瑪利諾教友傳教士，在肯尼亞最大貧民區奇比拉(Kibera)內的基督君王堂(Christ the King Parish)任職教育主任，負責統籌堂區屬下的十個教育項目，包括中、小學、幼兒院和職業訓練中心，主要為貧民區的兒童及青年服務；她亦是位於堂區內的一間社區圖書館的負責人。據估計，奇比拉的貧窮人口高達一百萬，是全非洲第二大貧民區，人口密度奇高，大部份人生活於貧窮線下。維琪的職務是確保校內學生得到良好教育、在安全的環境下遊戲和參加課餘活動、每天能享受至少一餐營養餐、享用圖書館設施，從而增加知識和提高自我形象，以及讓學生掌握技巧以便找到自足的工作。

我們探訪維琪那天，由她帶領我們由停車處步行至堂區。我們穿越兩旁是破爛鐵皮屋或木屋的小巷，再橫過一條布滿垃圾的鐵路路軌，經過售賣林林總總貨品的街頭小販檔，再穿過一個供小孩玩耍的泥地「球場」，最後才到達堂區。幸好那天是晴天，不然要走畢這段只有十多分鐘的路程也不容易。

維琪曾說，她稱所有有需要協助的人為朋友。當我們小心翼翼地走在布滿壓平了的垃圾的泥路上時，維琪卻不時向四周的人問好，「Jambo, Jambo!」，間中她會停下來與一些人閒聊幾句。可見她雖然是白人，來到非洲卻不是以高高在上的姿態幫人，而是以朋友般的平等態度服務他人。

維琪指出，堂區教育項目的目標是「讓貧窮小孩有機會接受基礎教育，為將來繼續進修作準備，並裝備他們在進入社會時成為一個負責任、自給自足和懂得關心他人的公民。」我們相信這也是維琪的期望。

為父母感染愛滋病的學童服務

行程的最後一天，我們來到香港傳教士陳倩盈任教的中學探訪，與學生進行一些活動。由於是下雨天，我們終於親嘗在貧民區的泥地上行走的情境。其實自行程首天起，倩盈已為我們擔心，常說若下雨要在泥路上行走，不知我們是否習慣，但幸好行程大部份日子都是晴天。可能天主想我們能實在地體驗傳教士在下雨天上班的情境，所以天降甘霖……那天天雨路滑，又拿著送給學校的圖書和活動物資，沿途踏著泥濘慎防滑倒，情況有點狼狽。然而，想到在下雨季節老師和學生們每天都是這樣上班上學，而且校舍的班房和行政部教員室座落在貧民區斜坡上的不同位置，他們經常要這樣穿梭其中，我們只是探訪這天才經歷這段路又算得上什麼呢！

這所名為St. Aloysius Gonzaga的中學亦是位於奇比拉貧民區，在2004年才投入服務，由基督生活團和仁愛之手(Hands of Love)兩個團體興辦，目的是為貧民區內因父母染上愛滋病或是帶菌者而受影響的青年提供中學正規教育、生命教育、午膳、技能發展、課外活動和學生交換計劃等。按資料顯示，奇比拉內有約五萬名愛滋孤兒，他們由親友照顧或住在孤兒院中。

懷著滿腔熱誠和理想、甘願減薪出任這所新校校長的Mr. Kiambi告訴我們，他來到該校是覺得這工作很有意義，為的是為學生帶來希望，他的願景是畢業生能按自己的潛能繼續升學或就業，最終能維持自己及家人的生活，並能回饋學校和社會，幫助其他與他們處境相似的人。

我們的香港傳教士是又何嘗不是滿懷熱誠地服務發展中國家的貧困人民呢？轉眼間，倩盈已在該校服務了四年（之前已在柬埔寨服務了三年），她也曾感到力不從心，事與願違，特別是在初期。我想她也花了不少時間作適應，無論在物質生活上或人際關係上。但她深信「上主天天和她在一起」，任何艱難的境況也能安然面對。

透過這兩星期與倩盈的接觸和分享，與她認識的教會人士或學生同事交流，在我們眼前的她，教學上能揮灑自如，與學生及同事都能建立良好關係，而且，在工作之餘，更在堂區任教主日學。可見這位香港傳教士能在各層面建立良好的合作關係和支援網絡；在當地默默耕耘，為改善孩童的未來生活作貢獻。

貧窮問題固然不是一朝一夕能解決的，當中涉及制度上的公義問題，需要當地政府和國際社會的配合。但以上幾位傳教士都相信教育可帶來改變和希望，她們與當地人共同合作，在自己的岡位上努力為年青人的未來加添色彩。但願教友傳教士的工作得到更多香港教友以至整個教會的認識、認同和支持。
　

在遙遠的國度再思: 非洲肯亞之旅感言

Radio 71 電台 "女人話事"節目中分享: http://www.radio71.hk/blog/index.php?cat=6&ctt=2

遠離家鄉去到一個陌生的環境，接觸一些平時少見的人和物，可以令人跳出既定的思想模式觀察和思考，或許可以有新的反思和啟發。今次參加教友傳信會主辦的肯亞信仰生活體驗團，在遙遠的非洲國度生活了兩星期，正提供了這樣的機會。

這次旅程不但令習慣了在城市生活的我有機會在野生動物大草原近距離觀看各種動物，以及欣賞由雄偉壯麗的裂谷所形成的湖泊，因而能在大自然中感受天主創造的神奇奧妙，與人的渺小和脆弱；更重要的是能親身探訪肯亞各貧民區和教會團體在當中發展的牧民和社會服務，以及與來自香港和海外的傳教士以及當地教會人士傾談分享，更有機會與當地學童青年接觸互動，可以說是一次相當難得的經驗。

記得在行程開首幾天的觀賞野生動物之旅途中，在近距離觀看獅子和羚羊的某一刻，突然感悟到原來用肉眼和內心觀看是可以那麼真實和清晰，遠比透過相機鏡頭觀看來得實在，這是科技產品捕捉不住的感覺和記憶；而且，在不同的時間和以心情看同樣的事情可以有迥然不同的感覺。這次醒悟為我往後的行程仿似開啟了一扇窗，提醒我要用心眼去感受、接收和回應所體驗和經歷的一切。

這次旅程讓我不只從理性角度瞭解非洲發展中國家的貧富懸殊境況和教會所扮演的角色，更令我體驗到遠道而來的傳教士，特別是教友傳教士，在一個陌生和物資相對缺乏的環境中服務所需要的耐力、堅持、刻苦、能屈能伸等個人素質，更要謙虛學習當地文化和對各種新事物持開放的態度，因為不同的地方都有自己獨特的文化，故此，當地神學院亦有開設「非洲研究」課程供本地和海外人士報讀。

此外，這次體驗亦令我深深感受到在當地所接觸的人對生命的熱誠、對服務的投入、對人的真摯關懷、以及那份沒有機心、全心奉獻的信仰觀和做人態度。他們身處的環境縱使艱苦，但卻常懷希望；既不高估自己的能力，卻向著可行的目標盡一己的能力努力改善現況，給服務對象帶來希望，香港傳教士Stephanie在一所專收錄受愛滋病影響的學生的學校任教，正是從事這樣的工作。而且，他們的工作讓我相信憑著愛，人與人之間真的可以不分國籍和背景和諧共處，這正挑戰當今世界弱肉強食、資源不均和缺乏共享精神的現實境況。眾多有心人在默默為改善非洲人民的生活而耕耘，擁有權力和資源的當權者和國際機構又在做什麼呢？是在以權謀私或真的為人民的福祉而努力呢？

旅程中與團員和傳教士Stephanie每晚的分享和祈禱除了幫助我檢視和淨化當天的經驗，更加深我們幾位來自不同背景的團友之間的認識，並學習尊重彼此的不同和和欣賞各人的優點。此外，能在非洲重遇幾位從前讀書時認識的朋友，在聚舊之餘，可以透過他們現時的工作進一步認識他們，以及看到他們如何將神學知識應用到牧民工作和事工上，是這次行程的另一收獲。在整個旅程中，我實在感謝天主的臨在和讓我感到與祂是如此接近，並再次讓我反省自己的召叫和使命。

Also see: Kenya Travel Journal

Kenya Trip Day 13

Students of St. Aloysius Gongaza Secondary School shared with us about Kenyan life and we also shared with them about life in Hong Kong. They showed great interest and were active in class.

Stephanie, a lay missionary from Hong Kong, has been teaching in this school for four years. She has strong committment in her ministry and is willing to share with the African students.



















The way to the school on a rainy day.

Kenya Trip Day 12

African dolls made by women of the Dollicraft Project, Development Program of the St. Joseph the Worker's Parish in Kangemi, Kenya.
We visited a primary school under the development program. I showed them the location of Hong Kong on a map. My two schoolmates of the theology school at Berkeley: James (left) and Kyalo (right)


We visited the St. Joseph the Worker's Parish in Kangemi on the second last day of our visit. It's a Jesuit parish in a slum area and my two schoolmates at JSTB are now working there. I took a class on Spirituality and Morality with Kyalo and a class on Ignatian Spirituality with James. I am very happy to meet them again and know what they are doing after graduation. Kyalo told me that working in a parish was so different from studying. Studying focus more on theory and now working in reality he has to face many practical problems. I can also see how busy he is as he had a meeting soon after we left and could not join us for lunch. But I told him his work is meaningful and can apply what he learnt in class.

We chat for a while and then Anthony, the staff in charge of the development program brought us around to see various projects, including clinic and dispensary, women's project, kindergarten and primary school, etc. We were all attracted by the handicrafts and products made by the members of the women project. Each of us brought something in order to support the project. I bought an African doll and a few giraffe keyholders. They are cute.

Kenya Trip Day 11

Students of a secondary school under Christ the King Parish in Kibera, a massive shantytown in the heart of Nairobi.














Vikki, a Maryknoll lay missionary working as the Education Coordinator of the Christ the King Parish, oversees 10 education projects. She walked with us through the Kibera slum, the second largest slum in Africa, with about 1 million population. On the way, she stop and chat with people from time to time, greeting them with a big smile, saying "jumbo jumbo" (hello). She said that she treated all the people she served as friends.



















Mural of Kenyan life in the Kibera slum, on the stairwell wall at the community library of Christ the King Parish. She said, "One of my goal is to make the Keyans proud to say, I'm Keyan. If the kids embrace this idea, tribalism can be reduced."

Kenya Trip Day 10

We met Sr. Maria Angela early in the morning and she brought us to St. Mary Secondary School where she works for. It is a school located next to the slum area and accept students from the slum. Sr. Maria Angela is proud of her work as she puts lots of effort in running the school. She picked up the work as director of the school only after the violence in December 2007. She felt she was called to do something to help the youth in the slum so that they would not waste their time and being used to fight in riot or violence.

We were impressed by her commitment in running the school. She involves in everything -- from hiring a new principal and teachers, recruiting students to meeting their parents to know their family situation. The tuition fee are paid according to the ability of parents. Sr. Maria would then looks for sponsors to support the daily expenses of the school.

With heavy workload and challenges from the school and the society, she gains strength through prayers. She believes that God always guide her and help her to solve porblems. She compares faith as the root of a tree. When there is wind and storm blowing towards a tree, if the tree wants to stand firm, it must has long and strong root. Faith is just the same. When one face difficulties, the faith will becomes stronger so as to overcome the challenges. We can see Sr. Maria Angela is a strong woman despite thee many difficulties she has to face.

Kenya Trip Day 8 & 9

Chapel of Hekima College (Jesuit seminary)

with Binamungu outside University of Nairobi

I was very happy to meet Binamungu, my former schoolmate of theology school at Berkeley, in Nairobi. Bina is working in a Jesuit secondary school in Tanzania now. When I knew that I would travel to Kenya, I wrote to him immediately and asked him whether we could meet in Dar es Salem or Nairobi for reunion. Finally Bina came to Nairobi and we spent two days together, visiting the museum, the Cathedral, watching African dance and tribal villages, together with my other Hong Kong friends. We chat and share and had a great time together.

He also showed me the Hekima College where he studied undergraduate theology before. We walked around the campus and had lunch there. We shared a lot about our life and vision. I know Bina shoulders much pressure because of the keen competition of seconday school students. He tries hard to balance between the grades of students and promote value education in school, hoping to nurture mature and responsible youth who can contribute to the country in the future. I appreciate his vision and effort very much.

Kenya Trip Day 7

with Quebec missionaries, left 3 at the back row is Fr. Richard.

books of African studies















painting
"sharing knowledge"


Today we visited the Tangaza College of the Catholic University of East Africa. There is an African Studies Program in the Tangaza College and Stephanie is one of the students. Characteristics of African Culture is a compulsory subject of the program. There are more than ten topics in this subjects. Apart from lecture, students have to do field study and conduct interviews with the related persons. Since Stephanie is a lay missionary working in another culture different from hers, she wants to learn more about the African culture. I found this college emphasizes a lot inculturation of theology and how to integrate faith with local culture. I am very interested in its methodologies as it is inter-disciplinary. Maybe we can borrow some of the methods when conducting research on inculturation in Hong Kong or Asia. Thus, I bought some books and will take a look later.

In the afternoon we went to visit the Quebec Missionaries in Kenya. One of the missionaries is Fr. Richard. Fr. Richard had been working in HK for 16 years. I also know him when working in Justice and Peace Commission because he is the chaplain of Catholic Youth Council for several years. He has very good memory and still remember me. I'm glad to meet him again and he is very kind to share with our group. He is more than 65 years old now but just came to Kenya for several years and has to learn a new language Kiswahili. We appreciate him a lot for his commitment, enthusianism and passion in the missionary work. He said once they went sent to another place, they would not look back and miss the former place because they have a new mission. He said they understand the nature of missionary work. Their work is transition for local people to continue. Thus, once the mission is established, they will move to another place. Sharing with Fr. Richard and other missionaries inspired us a lot.

Kenya Trip Safari (Day 5 & 6)

travelling on a muddy road

Lake Nakuru


The journey from Masai Mara to Nakuru was dangerous and adventurous! That day was a rainly day, making the road muddy and slippery. Many cars drove through S-shape on the way and quite a number of cars was stuck in the mud, including our car. Once the tyres of our car were unable to be pull out and all of us had to get off the car to push it. Another time several youth were asked to push the car at the back. Moreover, the road was so bumpy that some of the luggage fell down from the back of the car. It was lucky that the road was not that wet at that time and all the luggage could be saved. However, unfortunately, a laptop computer of one of the tour members was out of order because it fell down from the car. Throughout the journey, I saw how hard our driver Michael in controlling the car but he tried his best to bring us to the destination safely. He did a great job indeed!

We spent our last day of safari in the Nakuru National Park. It's an amazing and wonderful place. Apart from seeing flamingo and seagull, we can appreciate the beautiful scenery of Lake Nakura in the Rift Valley. It's so gorgeous! One cannot deny the mystery of creation and realize the smallnes of human beings. The hundreds of flamingo and seagull also reminds me the movie "Travelling Birds." I really envy the freedom that birds and animals can enjoy. Living in the city and being occupied by the busy office work, sometimes I feel suffocate and want to breath some fresh air.

Kenya Trip Safari Day 3 & 4

July 22 Monday we started the safari (journey of wild life experience), heading to Masai Mara National Park. Our tour guide cum driver Michael brought us to see various kinds of animals through game drive.

Before the journey, a friend from Africa called me and sent me greetings. Since he lived in Nairobi for several years, he was familiar with the places. He tried to make contact for me before the journey. I was glad to chat with him and shared with him my coming itinerary.

The most impressive moment on the first day of safari is a particular moment when watchig a lion. During the two-hour game drive, either sitting or standing in the car, we tried to take pictures whenever we saw animals, near or far. Until I found that the battery in the camera was almost used up, I stopped taking pictures and just look at the animals with my eyes. At that time, suddenly I discovered that looking at something with my eyes attentively was so different from looking through the camera. Through my own eyes, the lion look more clear, real, beautiful and attractive! From this, I think about our attitudes of seeing things. We often want to use the hi-tech equipments to catch the beautiful memories. However, using our eyes and heart to look at people and things so as to keep the image in our mind would keep the memory more real and better. Do I use my own eyes and heart to see things all the time? Do I use the vision of God to look at the reality? This awareness reminds me to open my eyes and heart to see and listen what I would experience in the rest of my journey, especially the many people we would meet in the exposure trip.

We continued the safari on the second day. We set off early in the morning, at 6:30am and saw many animals enjoying their breakfast-- eating grass. The more impressive scene for me is the beautiful golden ray shining on the grassland in the morning. Just one day before, we saw various kinds of animals on grassland throughout the journey. The grass look dull and nothing special. But just one day after, looking at the grassland at a different time gave me a total different impression. It looks so awesome and beautiful! From this, I reflect that looking at the same thing at different time with different perspective and attitudes may have different impression and brought out different meanings too. Both subjective factors (such as subjective )feelings, observation and insight) and objective factors (environmental factors) may affect one's judgement and perception.

In the evening during bible sharing time, we read the story of Jesus appeared before Mary Magdalene. This story has special meanings for me. I was deeply touched by this story in a retreat some years ago. Moreover, some years ago when I experienced the death of a schoolmate, another schoolmate used this story to encourage me, reminding me Jesus was besides me during the difficult time. Now when I read this story again, it reminds me again I have to be sensitive to the surrounding environment and people around us. Maybe God is sending us some messages through them. Our vision may be blurred by our confusion and saddness and cannot discern clearly.

Kenya Trip Day 2

Day 2 Sunday

Today we went to Our Lady of Guadalupe's Parish to attend our first mass in Africa. This parish located nearby Tumaini Centre. It's just a few minutes walk from our living place. It is a brand new experience for me. It's somewhat a mixture of African and Mexican culture with a choir leading the whole church community to sing and clap hands. The whole mass is so lively and the songs are beautiful.

I feel God has its special appearance in different places and culture, so as to bring out the message of love and salvation. With less rules and restrictions but more flexibility, I feel the liturgy in Nairobi is inculturated and easier for participants of the mass to commit and feel God's presence. The whole mass is so impressive for me...an unforgettable experience!

Before and after mass, I saw Stephanie so busy at saying hi to friends in church. It somewhat shows her active involvement in church. She introduced all these people to us and we shaked hands with them one by one. They were friendly and chat with us for a while, knowing we are from Hong Kong to visit Stephanie. I do not see loneliness but happiness on Stephanie.

After mass, we went to a shopping mall to exchange money. It is a big modern mall. Then we went to the market to have a walk and buy some souvenirs. It reminds me the African handicraft and art souvenirs from Mathieu and Kaf. They gave me an African woman picture and a mask sculpture and I still keep them with me. Though the handicrafts in this market is not as beautiful as those from Mathieu and Kaf, I still bought two hand-made pictures, so as to support the local economy.

Kenya Trip Day 1

chapel of the Tumaini Centre

Day 1

Today I set off to Kenya, the first time I travel to Africa. I felt so excited. My dream of going to Africa comes true! After a 12-hour flight, we arrived the Nairobi airport at around 6pm and was still bright. Gracie, Miu, Wawa and myself were so excited when we got off the plane. Everything was smooth and we met Stephanie, the lay missionary from Hong Kong in Tumaini Centre, the place where Stephanie lives and we will stay there in the coming two weeks.

When I read the daily readings today, a few lines comes to my eyes and catch my attention, saying: "Look! My servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delights, I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will spread the truth to all nations." (Mt. 12:15-18) I think of Stephanie immediately. She was the beloved servant and was sent to Kenya to spread the good news. She does not cry out with loud voice but witness among the poor and needy in a slum through teaching in a secondary school with students whose parents being affected by Aids/HIV carrier. She leads a simple life and not much material rewards, but lives and teaches happily as an instrument of God's peace.

I look forward to the forthcoming exposure trip in the coming two weeks in Kenya. Stephanie will show us her school, introduce other missionaries to us, and accompany us to visit various church projects and parishes. May the Holy Spirit guide us throughout this journey.