Sisters' Visits
The start of each new year is a busy period at our schools around the world.
In January and February, the Sisters continued their community outreach to meet new children and visit the homes of these prospective new students in the Philippines and Mexico. On these visits they meet thousands of families desperate for a place at school for their children and these visits were no different. They met thousands of impoverished children throughout the Philippines, from tiny rural communities deep in the rainforest regions, to remote islands, as well as city families living on the roadside or on landfill sites. They travel extensively to reach out to those forgotten children who are most in need of an education and who are living in the most desperate need.
New students
The first month of each year is joyous at our schools in Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil and Tanzania as we welcome the new students. Support from our generous friends has allowed us to welcome these new students and give them the chance of a better life. This January new students arrived in Guatemala (449), Honduras (424), Brazil (193) and Tanzania (378)! These boys and girls will have full time care and a life changing education thanks to the generosity of our donors. In the safety of the Sisters of Mary schools they will live, learn and grow and look forward to a brighter future.
As the children arrive at school they receive all their new things which are essential for their education. They have a new backpack, uniform, shoes, books and they begin to receive three nutritious daily meals. Together with hygiene supplies and medical care, the children can recover their health, grow and thrive – thanks to you.
Sustainability
A focus on using the land at each school to grow crops to supplement the food budget continued this year. The children love to work in the gardens and as our food bills continue to rise these activities become more and more important.
In Kisarawe, the girls enjoyed the fruits of their labours with another harvest of fresh vegetables from their greenhouses. Helping the Sisters to supplement the food purchased for the school with produce they have grown themselves not only helps save money for the school’s food bill, but it also teaches the children a valuable lesson in agriculture and growing their own crops for the future – a vital skill for their independent lives ahead.
Kiluvya - Trainee graduation
Also in Tanzania, at the Kiluvya Training centre another class of young women have graduated with the skills they need to help them find work or set up their own businesses. These are young women who have dropped out of school, many have young families but all have missed out on the chance of the education which would be vital to help lift them out of poverty in the years ahead.
The women learn practical skills including dressmaking, baking and electrical engineering. They pass exams and achieve nationally accredited certificates which will allow them to find employment locally or to equip themselves so that they can build their own enterprises and generate sufficient income to support themselves and their families.
On the Job Training
The focus of our education work is employment for the children after finishing school so, during February, in Mexico and Guatemala, our students were busy doing on the job training (OJT) with local companies. On the job training is a key part of the students’ education and takes place near the end of their time at school. It allows them to apply their skills in the working world and to make relationships with future employers.
Our children have a reputation as fast, efficient and reliable employees so whilst training with these companies we are confident most of our students will impress their employers so much they will be offered jobs upon graduation.
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.