As the year draws to an end, we reflect on the progress we have made in 2025
Thanks to our incredible supporters, 2025 has been a year full of hope and progress at all of our schools around the world. Christmas celebrations are not trivial for our children. They are a celebration of hope and life and the dignity of each child as they grow and learn in safety with us. This Christmas, we are so thankful for all the incredible support from our friends who make it possible for our children to have better lives.
5,682 new children found hope
In total, 20,386 children received quality education and care in 2025 thanks to our wonderful supporters. These children joined us from some extremely difficult home lives and have started their journey towards a better future.
2,906 children graduated from school ready for work across 6 countries
And in Kisarawe Girlstown, the first group of girls graduated from school after six years with us! This is a big milestone for the Tanzanian programmes and represents years of hard work and perseverance. This group of girls are pioneers of the first programmes the Sisters started in an African country, and they have worked incredibly hard to study well and be prepared to work and support themselves after school. We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength.
Dodoma Boystown building project has seen many milestones
The boys in our newest school Dodoma Boystown, Tanzania, have grown from strength to strength in 2025. As the building project progresses around them, they are enthusiastically participating in school activities. They are applying themselves to their studies, and enjoying the freedom of a worry-free childhood in the safety and community of Dodoma Boystown.
In March, we opened two new buildings in Dodoma Boystown as a part of the school building project. A few months later, foundations were laid for a new classroom block. Three supporters travelled to Tanzania with Carey (World Villages’ Fundraising and Communications Manager) for the inauguration of the new buildings. Afterwards, they visited Kisarawe Girlstown and Kiluvya Training Centre and Nursery.
Thanks to your efforts, we were able to build 10 greenhouses in Dodoma Boystown, which the boys are very excited to use and grow food in. Many of them come from farming families and so learning these new skills and methods is practically useful for them.
You also helped fund the running costs for the Stella Maria Bakery in Dodoma Boystown to train the boys in bread and pastry making, and serve their local community with gifts of bread. We were gratified to receive recognition of the Sisters’ hard work in Tanzania in an article by the Vatican.
Easter and Every Child's Birthday
Easter and Every Child’s Birthday are highlights of the year! They are special moments to celebrate the lives of the children, and show them just how much people care for them. In 2025 our generous supporters made it possible to give every child a modest gift during Easter and ensure every child had a birthday gift to celebrate the day on 15th August.
Giving children love and care
These gifts include vitamins for their health, school supplies for their education, clothing and shoes for their day-to-day needs, and a small treat. There is no better gift for a child than for them to know they are loved and cared for – and this is what these modest gifts give. When children have grown up in such extreme deprivation, the joy they feel when receiving a personal gift is something to witness.
World Villages for Children events in the UK this year
In May, Sister Elena and Sister Margarita joined us for the Sisters’ annual visit. We held meetings in London and Leeds, and met many old and new supporters. There, Sthefanny, a graduate of the Brazil school, and Fr Fretch, a graduate from the Philippines and members of our board of trustees joined us to meet supporters and tell their stories.
Meeting alumni in the UK
One of the most rewarding moments we have experienced this year is having the unexpected joy of meeting new alumni who are now living in the UK. In May, we met Marisol, a graduate from Mexico. She came up from South London to meet us and thank supporters for helping her receive an education as a child.
In Birmingham in October, we were pleased to meet Gilbert, a graduate from the Philippines, now living in Herefordshire. Gilbert took the opportunity during the film screening in Birmingham to speak about his experiences and thank our supporters.
Irmas Documentary launch
After months of preparation and anticipation, we were pleased to release Irmas: The Life of the Sisters of Mary online and in person in the UK. This documentary is the culmination of the hard work and sacrifice of the filmmakers Caroline Duclert and Charles Guilleman, who made this as a gift to the Sisters. This documentary is free to watch online and we have a limited number of DVDs available for those who would like one.
Sister Maria and Sister Mylene were able to join us in London and Birmingham to meet supporters during the screening. We met many new and old supporters and as we mentioned earlier, a new graduate, Gilbert!
The screenings offered a great opportunity to share the work of the Sisters, and give new friends a deeper insight into our programmes. We are so grateful to Caroline Duclert, who made this film for shining a light on the Sisters’ really incredible work and sacrifice.
PS. Irmas has been accepted in the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards
In order to progress to the judging panel, we need votes from you! Please consider voting and sharing with friends and family. Voting closes 30 January 2026.
Weathering earthquakes and typhoons
In the Philippines, you helped us navigate the challenges brought by earthquakes and typhoons. The earthquake that hit Cebu in September caused significant damage to school buildings. With the funds raised from our incredible supporters, we have started repairing and restoring broken walls, ceilings, and making the classrooms safe for the children again.
Typhoons
Just a few weeks after the earthquake, two typhoons (Kalmaegi and Fung-Wong) hit the Philippines in close succession. The flooding brought by the intense storms washed away many homes and disrupted communities. Some neighbours took shelter in our school gymnasium in Talisay while the worst of the storm passed. Unfortunately many homes were devastated and communities around our schools have been severely damaged.
Extreme weather events like this can disrupt a child’s education, but thanks to your support, we can respond quickly and ensure that our children are safe in school and can continue learning uninterrupted.
Thank you for your generous support through the recovery and repair of our schools.
Visiting the Philippines
In late October, our UK Manager, Nicola visited the Philippines with some supporters and our treasurer, John. The visit to see the progress at the schools and meet more of the new children followed closely after the earthquakes that shook Cebu in September, and the two strong typhoons that swept through the islands in September and October. While on the visit, the group experienced an earthquake in Cebu, but it was luckily not too severe and did not cause further damage. The visit also allowed our supporters to see the scale of the education work being done by the Sisters and to meet many of the alumni (graduates of the Philippines programmes) who are helping the Sisters to deliver their schooling in that country. John Graham, trustee, wrote some reflections on his experiences at the programmes.
Exceptional volunteer support
This year has also seen our dedicated volunteers go above and beyond to support our work. Enrique swam Acapulco Bay in Mexico and raised funds for the children. Other volunteers supported us in the office and in the community, speaking at events on our behalf, and giving their time and energy to help more children access education. Thank you!
Thank you for being such a big part of what we do!
Your support in 2025 has made our work possible, thank you for your compassion and kindness in 2025!
More news articles
01/05/2026
Smiley Charity Film Awards
We are excited to announce that IRMAS, the documentary about the Sisters of Mary, has won Gold in the Smiley Charity Film Awards!
28/04/2026
London Marathon 2026 Thank you
A massive thank you to the runners who supported World Villages for Children in the 2026 TCS London Marathon!
10/04/2026
Easter News
Easter at the schools is a wonderful time, see how your generosity makes life better for our children.