Sisters of Mary pay visit to London to thanks generous supporters and give update on their work
Sr. Elena and Sr. Margarita of the Sisters of Mary visited London recerntly to meet with supporters, thank them for their support and provide an update on our work around the world. The Sisters of Mary to run live-in schools for the most deprived boys and girls across the world.
A congregation by decree of the Catholic Church and recognised by the Pope, the Sisters of Mary were founded in 1964 by Father Aloysius Schwartz (Father Al), and are headquartered in Biga, near Manila in the Philippines. There are currently nearly 400 Sisters who operate their programmes in the Philippines, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras and Tanzania and since 1964 they have provided more than 180,000 children with an education.
At a gathering in the World Villages’ office, Sr Elena and Sr Margarita were delighted to meet with old and new supporters and had the opportunity to share some of the developments at the education programmes.
Sr. Margarita particularly highlighted the impact being made with every donation and how the sisters are working to equip children with vocational skills to give them the best chance of employment when they finish school.
The Sisters welcomed questions from supporters and the opportunity to provide deeper insight into how their gifts are being used to provide care and education of the children. They were also pleased to be joined by Sthefanny, an alumna of the Brasilia Girlstown school who shared her experience and demonstrated just how much change her place at the Sisters of Mary school has made to her life and the lives of her family members.
Visiting the Guatemalan Embassy
Over the past few years The Sisters of Mary have developed a relationship with representatives from the Guatemalan Embassy here in London. Sr. Elena and Sr Margarita were pleased to be received by Her Excellency Carla MarÃa RodrÃguez Mancia at the Guatemalan Embassy for a meeting during their trip.
“The meeting was an opportunity to speak about the work we are carrying out in Guatemala and how we are supporting her most vulnerable citizens – children – into a brighter future,” said Sr Elena.
“A highlight of the morning was to discover that whilst at the UN, HE Carla Mancia has worked with one of the first graduates from our boys school, Carlos.”
Carlos has used his education with the Sisters of Mary in Zona 6 Boystown to gain a degree and has represented Guatemala at UN Human Rights forums in Geneva as Head Delegate of the Specific Cabinet for Social Development and the Thematic Table of Indigenous Peoples.
Carlos’ success drove home the impact of the Sisters’ work and how one child’s education can ripple out into the wider community.
“We are so grateful to Minister Councillor Manuel Lorenzana Baldizón for his introduction to the Ambassador,” said Sr Elena, “and for the continued interest of the Ambassador and her team in supporting the Sisters’ of Mary schools and investing in the children of Guatemala.”
_________________________
Take action
Are you inspired by the Story of the Sisters of Mary? If you are moved to support their work and help even more children escape poverty, here is how you can join their mission to end poverty through education:
- Become a regular donor. A regular gift, no matter the size, helps to give every child quality education and care.
- Share the Story of the Sisters of Mary with your friends, family, and community.
- Sponsor a Family of children in any of their programmes to support their education and care.
- Stay connected through their regular newsletters. Get to know World Villages for Children and the Sisters of Mary and how your can make a difference.
__________________________
