News from our schools - January 2024

In January, 2,015 children and trainees arrived into our schools, day care and training centres in Brazil, Tanzania, Guatemala and Honduras. These children come from some of the most deprived regions in the world and were desperate for the chance to learn, so that they can find good jobs and escape from poverty.

Many children arrive with complex issues arising from a difficult early life. They suffer from the stress and trauma of poverty leading to malnutrition and other serious health issues as well as being behind in their general education and often unable to speak their national language. The Sisters take great care to support the children with the nutrition and healthcare support they need, additional classes to support their learning and get them to the educational level they need to thrive at school and leave their lives of poverty.

In Dodoma, Tanzania, the boys at the new school were welcomed for their first full term. A total of 171 boys are now in the care of the Sisters at this brand new school and thriving. They are excited and boisterous, loving all the new experiences they have to look forward to.

In their first few weeks these new boys sat tests to determine their learning levels and to see what support they needed to progress. All the boys follow the national curriculum of academic subjects and will also  study vocational courses in electrical installation and solar technology, carpentry, computing and welding, targeting future jobs in the region.

Outside of the classroom the boys were also enjoying the luxury of playtime and hobbies and particularly spending time learning art with Sr Margie!

The Adlas Boys school received a donation from a local organisation in the form of a new vehicle! This will be used to teach the boys how to drive safely and to pass their driving tests. Where we can we teach all of our students how to drive. It gives them freedom and independence when they graduate and also a better chance of finding work.

Brasilia Girls’ school saw the return of 107 alumni to the school for a reunion. The alumni at our schools are a vital part of the success of the Sisters’ mission in helping the most impoverished children. The alumni use their real life experiences as graduates of the Sisters of Mary schools to help the next generation of students. They often return to the schools for a visit, celebrate with a special reunion or even volunteer their time helping the new students.