NST By Kelly Koh - November 9, 2017
While I didn't write this article, I wanted to put it in my archive to remember the work our Alumnae had put in for the Guardian of Sacred Heart Photo Exhibition.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/301100/paying-tribute-seven-sisters-sacred-heart-convent
MELAKA: Nestled in the state's iconic historical landmarks in Banda Hilir is the 112-year-old Sacred Heart Convent, one of the last remaining convents where Sisters continue to serve the education needs of the local communities.
However, the race is on to document the daily lives of the seven Sisters, who are now in the twilight of their years.
In a bid to preserve their heritage, several former students and professional photographers have decided to document the lives of the last remaining sisters as they go about their daily routine at the school.
Canossian Alumnae Association chairman Karen Lee Huey Shyan, who studied here till 1989, said they hope that their effort will become a lasting tribute to the school and the Sisters before their passing.
She said the photographs have been framed and displayed at a section of the school till Nov 26. Titled “The Guardians of Sacred Heart”, the photo exhibition features scenes captured by travel photographers Teh Ehurn Nee and Ng Yow Shing.
"We realise that we only have group photos of students and the Sisters from the 1920’s and 1950's.
"Many of the Sisters here are not young anymore. Some have passed away and we are concerned that if they pass on, it would mean a loss of heritage.
"This is why we want to document their daily lives. We hope that 50 years or even 100 years down the road, these photos will be a reminder to the future generation of the sacrifices they made. That is the essence of this exhibition,” she said, adding that the school is the only school in Melaka where the Sisters are still living and serving in the school.
Apart from the photo exhibition, the effort to preserve the school's heritage also involved the setting up of a Canossian Heritage Gallery in 2015.
Other than that, several areas of the school’s old kitchen, dining room, the laundry and a well were also preserved and exhibited.
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The convent was built in 1905 and is located next to the Independence Memorial and 16th century Portuguese A Famosa gateway.
At present, the convent operates a kindergarten and has 220 primary school students.
Meanwhile, Sister Retta Savannah, 54, who has served for six years at the school, said the Sisters continue to teach at the kindergarten and serve on the Board of Governors for both the primary and secondary school SMK Canossa Convent, located in the Portuguese Settlement.
"There are seven of us. All of us have our own roles. There are two sisters who would supervise the Canossa secondary school, two others who teach kids at kindergarten, while the other sisters do pastoral work at churches. As the community leader, I oversee the overall service of the Sisters here."
Sister Elizabeth Chan, 74 who was a former student of the school in 1960, said she was inspired to become a sister and help teach and guide young girls. She became the school’s teacher from 1971-1976.
Photographer Teh, 42, who is also the editor for Travelmate Magazine, said the essence of the photographs captured was to create a natural scene of the sisters’ lives without having them act or pose for the camera.
“We followed the lives of the sisters for two days and apart from their portrait photos, we try not to disturb them and take the most natural moment of them as well as avoid using any flash,” she said.
Members of the public can view the photo exhibition by appointment by contacting Amy Lee at 016-2730836 till Nov 23.
The photo exhibition is also open to the public between Nov 24 and 26 from 10am till 5pm in conjunction with the Melaka Art and Performance Festival (MAPFest).
A heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese press for giving us media coverage for this event.
