Emmaの死 Death of Emma

1月9日、既に2か月前になりますが、Emmaが20年そこそこの人生を終えた、との知らせがありました。10月21日、『テコンドーの緑帯を得た!』と、嬉しそうな写真付きで、「こちらは皆元気にしている。図書館も大丈夫、心配なく」とのSMを最後に、連絡がとれなくなりました。ウガンダは今年、5年に一度の大統領＋国会＋地方議員の選挙イヤー。毎度、投開票の1年近く前から開票の数か月後まで、大統領が統率する軍や警察など与党勢力と野党支持者の間に暴力沙汰が頻発し、多数の死傷者が出ます。電話、インターネット、SNSなど制限されるのは常ですが、首都カンパラの日本大使館からの情報とBBCニュースから、今回は、たぶんコロナ対策ということも加わり、一層統制が厳しくなり、治安が悪化、通信事情も厳戒下だろう…と推察し、事態が鎮静化するのを待つしかない…と思っていたところでした。

This is to inform those who had a direct connection with him and readers of our blog of the death of Kafa Emmanuel on January 9. He was about 20 years old. 

We last heard from “Emma” on October 21 in a text message in which he reported getting a green belt in tae kwon do. He attached a couple photos in which he was beaming with pride. He said that everyone there was well and that the library was fine, and urged us not to worry. After that we were unable to reach him. 

In Uganda, general elections of the president and legislators are held every five years, and an election was held earlier this year. From about one year prior to the election until several months after the vote-counting, there are always numerous incidents of violence between the ruling party forces, including the military and police, which are commanded by the president, and supporters of the opposition. People are often killed or injured in this violence. The use of phones, the Internet, and social networking services is usually limited. But, based on information from the Japanese embassy in Kampala and BBC News reports, we surmised that this year communication was difficult on account of the pandemic as well as deteriorating security under stricter than usual controls and limits on communication under full alert. All we could do was wait for things to calm down.  

   2012年                                  　                  2016年

（中）ユーザーだった小学生の頃           （後ろ右）子供たちの読書のヘルプ

10月21日から1月9日までの3か月足らずの間に一体何が？！？　　Emmaは小中学生の頃、血液の問題で、Kitgum, Gulu, Kampalaの大病院に何度も入退院し、検査/治療を受けてきましたが、ここ数年は、落ち着いているらしく、病院通いも不要になったように見えました。彼は、高校生になってから、学業の合間に図書館を手伝ってくれるようになりました。IQ, EQともに高く、責任感があり学校でも頼りになる人柄でHead Boy(男子生徒代表)を務め、手先が器用、折り紙などとても丁寧で日本人顔負け、音楽好きで教会のブラスバンドのリーダーをし、好成績で大学入学資格を得て、入学手続きの途中でした。”教師志望“というのも納得の、子供への温かな対応、子供たちからも大人気、また、知的好奇心旺盛で、日本/日本語などにも興味関心を持っていました。昨年2月からのロックダウンで、大学も閉鎖続き、手続きも中断のまま、ついにただの一日も、オンライン授業すら受けることもできませんでした。最後はGuluの病院で、2019年10月のAnywar Patrick(=Oyoオヨー)のように、血液不足のため輸血が間に合わず、亡くなったそうです。 
なぜ？、どうして？　問いかけても穏やかな優しい笑顔が浮かんでくるだけです。一日も早くKitgumに戻り、手を合わせたいと願っています。いまはただ安らかに、と祈るだけです。 合掌

 So, what happened from October 21 to January 9? When he was a primary and secondary school student Emma was often hospitalized in Kitgum, Gulu, and a large hospital in Kampala to undergo tests and treatments for a blood disorder. But for the past few years his condition had been stable, and he had not needed to see a doctor. Since entering high school, he had helped out at the library between his classes. He had a high IQ and EQ as well as a sense of responsibility. Because of his reliability, he was named “head boy,” the student representative at his school.
  Emma was good with his hands and could fold origami as well as any Japanese. He loved music and was a leader of the band at the churches. He got good grades and was in the process of being admitted to university. He hoped to become a teacher and would have been a good one as he was kind to children and well-liked by them. He was full of intellectual curiosity and was interested in Japan and the Japanese language. Under the lockdown, all schools were closed, and Emma was unable to enter university. He could not take online classes for even one day. In the end, like Oyo, Anywar Parrick who died in October 2019, Emma passed away at a hospital in Gulu, unable to get a transfusion on account of a shortage of blood.  
  When we ask ourselves how and why this happened, the only answer we receive is an image of Emma’s kind, gentle smile. We hope to return to Kitgum as soon as possible and offer prayers at Emma’s grave. May he rest in peace. 

2020年10月　生前最後のSM,「テコンドーの緑帯を得た!」と喜びの報告。
Oct. 2020　Joyful at getting a green belt in tae kwon do (his last SM)