About the book: Retrace the road of progress for women pioneered by the St Maur Sisters, visit their convents to experience nostalgia in pictures and marvel at their achievements for more than 170 years. Known presently as the Infant Jesus Sisters, their epic journey through Malaya transitioning into Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Thailand was one filled with perils, hardship and sacrifices in their early days.
Still they prevailed, operating numerous schools to educate girls, raising countless orphans and caring for the abused, sick and desolate. Every country has its own story, greatly influenced by its political and social developments. In Malaya – then including Singapore – increasing territorial control by the British created the need for English medium education; while in Japan, learning European languages gained popularity as the country westernised following the Meiji Restoration.
World War II was cruel to all. In Malaya, English education was forbidden while in Japan most of the sisters’ buildings were flattened by bombs. But it did not break the spirit of the survivors and soon their schools were flourishing again. In Thailand, consequent to the unavailability of Malayan schools following a surge in demand by locals, the sisters’ mission and schools were re-established.
Convent school education continues to present day, albeit in varied manner in each country. But all remain unified to the principle of being “Simple in virtue and steadfast in duty”, promulgated by the no nonsense nuns.
Convents Of The Saint Maur Sisters: A Nostalgic Road In The East (2024) is written in memory of Mother St Mathilde, the pioneer sisters and all who have risked, laboured and sacrificed to change the lives of others through education.
About the author: Chen Yen Ling is a chartered and certified public accountant by profession and presently writes features for the media and non-fiction books. She holds a certificate in freelance journalism, Writers Bureau and also undertook a short study stint in anthropology at the University of Adelaide in Australia. She is the author of Lessons from My School, The journey of the French Nuns and their convent schools, the precursor to this book.
Participating in all these works is Dr Etta Chatterjee, her great friend and classmate at St Anne's Convent who acted as a discussion companion, editor and advisor. She is a lawyer by profession, graduated from the National University of Singapore and holds a PhD Classics from King's College London, University of London.
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