Early Life
Born in Davao City, Philippines. Sr Abigail was the third of four children. The family led a poor and simple life and her parents faced many challenges raising them. Despite this, her mother and father were careful to ensure the children ate three meals a day and received an education but it was often very hard to pay for their school and the materials needed to study. Her older siblings managed a secondary education but could continue no further.
When Sr Abigail learnt about the education work of the Sisters from her mother via their local church she was enthralled by the prospect and travelled for two days by ship and bus to reach the school in Cebu to have the chance to meet them. It was a very tough journey but she said ‘I took those challenges so I could help my parents’.
Thanks to their kind supporters, the Sisters were able to offer Sr Abigail at place at school and she joined in 2003.
Life at school
Initially she found the lessons and study at school difficult and she was homesick for her family but after a few days, fascinated by her surroundings and proud to be a part of the school, she fell in love with her new way of life.
She was particularly fond of history and religious studies and of learning the history of her country and the wider world. Early on, she marvelled at the dedication of the sisters and resolved to make this a part of her future plan. She studied hard, thriving at school and in 2006 she graduated ready for work.
With the help of the Sisters, she found employment in an electrical company where she stayed for six months earning enough to immediately start helping her family. She was then offered a scholarship to study for a business degree. By studying for her degree through the day and working at McDonalds during the evenings, Sr Abigail managed to graduate from college with a good business degree in 2012 and in 2013, pursuing her dream of a religious working life she joined the Sisters in Minglanilla, Philippines.
Life as a Sister of Mary
Having served the Sisters for a year in Minglanilla she moved to Adlas until 2017, transferring to Talisay until 2020 and then on to Kisarawe in Tanzania where she joined the newest girls’ school.
Her title is ‘School in Charge’ in Kisarawe, which means she is responsible for the operation of the school and the care provided for the girls to ensure they have everything they need to succeed personally and academically. Their growth and progress is her joy and her priority and her girls face many challenges.
Greatest of these is their lack of equality, safety and security at home.
She has seen the poorest girls arrive into her care with low expectations for a better life. They have been raised to be obedient, to be housewives from the age of eight or nine. Many exist in situations of abuse and can only look towards a future of early marriage. The poorest girls struggle to access education and are not generally raised to participate in the economic activities of the country – they lack confidence and have a sense of inferiority. But these girls are the focus for the work of the Sisters.
Participating in the future of their country
The Sisters run a student government at the school, so the girls can learn how they can participate in the running not just of the school but of the country – they build dreams of future leadership or even presidency! The girls use their new talents to develop their voice so they can be advocates for the movement to bring more equitable treatment for the women of the country, to be the leaders of change.
Helping these girls to develop and bring about this change is a challenge. Gender equality issues are deeply rooted but for Sr Abigail it is the greatest joy to observe that the girls in her care can use their new education as a stepping stone to a new future, to be confident and determined so they do not limit themselves. “The girls in Tanzania have many challenges but here at school you can see their resilience and determination, the extraordinary willingness to learn and a desire to change their lives and this is inspiring. Inspiring to see them change their minds and pursue dreams”
Empowering Women as future leaders
Safe at school with the Sisters, 1,009 of the regions’ poorest girls are able to learn about their rights as women and their place in the world.
It is the Sisters’ priority to teach them about gender equality and give them the tools to make a change to their lives. They provide the girls with the learning and skills that will allow them to fulfil their potential. They instil confidence in them so they are ready and able to build a better future for themselves and their families.
Through a curriculum of academic, vocational and extra curricular activities, the girls love the learning and flourish under the nurturing care of the Sisters, building new skills, strengths and talents and celebrating their abilities as women.