VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
When I first arrived in Hawaii in 1991 from the Philippines, I struggled with the English language. People used to speak so fast that I could not understand them. Whenever they talked to me, I needed to translate it into my native tongue of Hiligaynon. Then, in order to respond to them I needed to translate the Hiligaynon into English. This struggle was only the beginning of other challenges to be encountered. But with those challenges, God’s grace was also present. And it is through God’s grace that smiles also take place.
My first assignment was teaching in the lower grades at St. Catherine School on Kauai. In order to attune my hearing to the diction of the English language, I used to listen to newscasters and read the newspaper. I found it also helpful to watch people’s mouths as they talked, so that I could imitate their actions. It was a real struggle learning to communicate. After five years of teaching in the English-speaking community at St. Finn Barr School in San Francisco, I gained more confidence.
Back in Hawaii, God provided me with the constructive guidance of Mr. PJ (Patrick Foehr) at St. John the Baptist School in Kalihi. PJ is an education consultant working with Hawaii Catholic Schools. After visiting my classroom, he taught me how to be a more effective teacher of the 21st century by coaching me on how to present lessons in a way that was not boring to the children. Strategies included engaging the children in dialogue and constructive thinking skills.
In 2005, I changed careers becoming a certified nursing assistant. However, my workplace was not yet ready to accommodate residents. So I was assigned to work in the preschool of St. Joseph Early Learning Center on Maui. Not knowing what to do with the little ones, I went to Maui Community College and completed some units in early childhood education. Through the grace of God, I was given a scholarship. A sister in our community helped me with my writing and grammar.
Last year I moved to the congregation’s home for the elderly, House of Aloha in Waianae. When I arrived, I did not like it. I struggled with reading the patients’ medicines. One day however, a conversation with one of the clients changed everything.
“Why am I here?” he asked. He never saw sisters before. “Is this a boarding school?” he continued. Many other questions followed, including questions about God. We became friends. Then he said, “I never used to smile. But now I can smile because you are so funny.” Our example and the way we talk and listen to others are important. This reminds me of my favorite song, “If We Hold On Together.”
The lyrics remind me that when I hold on to God, as well as on to our residents, we can hold the whole world together. It is like the first prayer I say in the morning: “Lord, this is another day, thank you very much. Give me more strength that I can at least smile this day, because sometimes I have a lot of things on my mind and personal problems. I know with your grace, I can smile and make others smile too.”
Sister Estelita Jamelo is a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. She is professed 40 years and is preparing to leave her residence at House of Aloha for St. Charles Borromeo School in San Francisco.
