December Update from our schools
December was a joy filled month at all our schools around the world. From Christmas giving to competition successes, our children were able to thrive in the care of the Sisters with the generosity of our supporters.
Christmas celebrations
In December, over 20,000 children celebrated Christmas with us. Many of our children will never have known a Christmas celebration. We want all our children to grow and learn in a happy environment, so our Christmas celebrations are a well established tradition and a poignant part of their time at our schools.
Thanks to you, in December 2024, the children had a busy month of Christmas gift wrapping, bazaars and fairs preparing for that special day.
With the kindness of our donors, there were enough presents and treats for everyone. A modest gift of t-shirt, colouring materials, and a small treat meant the world to each of them and the children made memories that will last them a lifetime.
After these celebrations, the children headed home to their families for a much deserved holiday and a chance to share their new knowledge with the whole family.
Competition Success in Mexico
At the beginning of December, José, our student from Guadalajara, came third in category A of the National short story competition for young people. This competition is organised annually by the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data. The competition aims to raise young people’s awareness of the opportunities and dangers of the internet. A total of 717 young people from 26 countries took part. Jose’s award-winning short story is entitled ‘Por dónde va esto?’ (Where is this going?)
In mid-December, the ‘Steam Ahead’ competition took place in Istanbul in which 2,482 youngsters from 30 countries took part. In this competition, participants compete in individual and team competitions in science and maths in both theoretical and practical tests for individuals and teams. We congratulate our student Brian also from Guadalajara on winning both a bronze medal and an award for interdisciplinary excellence.
Achievements and Activities around the world
In Mexico, our girls in Chalco won five gold medals, seven silver medals and two bronze medals at the Festival Atlético de Alcaldías and became champions in the National Hockey competition.
In Biga, the Philippines, our girls were second runner up at the Fr Cimatti Cup Futsal competition and won second place in the Paskong Pinoy Parol competition.
The boys in Guatemala completed their final vocational projects in carpentry & bread & pastry making while the girls in Zona 13 received their English certificates and enjoyed on the job training and English lessons from a local employer.
In Tanzania, bread from the new bakery was distributed to the local parishioners and the new five story dormitory building in Dodoma received its first blessing.
Graduations
At the Kiluvya Training Centre for local unemployed women in Tanzania, 103 young women graduated from the VETA accredited training courses. These courses are six months in length. At the end of each course the young women have acquired the skills they need to find local employment or to set up their own business.
The Kisarawe Girls’ school also had some good news with 162 girls passing their tests and advancing to their final year of studies! These girls will be the first group to graduate from our secondary school programmes in Tanzania in 2025 and we are so proud of the progress they have made.
128 girls in Brasilia, 108 girls in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and 164 boys in Amarateca, Honduras, also graduated in December. These children will go on to find exciting new careers with the support of the Sisters of Mary.
More news articles
22/05/2025
First graduates Kisarawe
Today marks the graduation of the first group of girls to join Kisarawe Girlstown. This was first Sisters of Mary programme in Africa.
12/05/2025
Welcoming Pope Leo XIV
A message from Sister Elena, Superior General of the Sisters of Mary welcoming the new pope, Pope Leo XIV.
22/04/2025
Remembering Pope Francis
“If we walk in hope, we have joy in our hearts and we cannot fail to be witnesses of this joy…” – Remembering Pope Francis’ legacy of love for the poor