Over five million children in Mexico live in extreme poverty
Uneven distribution of wealth in the country has caused a huge social divide and communities in the south of the country experience devastating poverty and deprivation which particularly impacts their children.
A lack of access to education and employment opportunities for parents sustains this level of poverty, and where state education is provided it is often of poor quality. The youngest boys in these communities remain in harm’s way from the local gangs and early marriages for girls, some as young as 12, are common in these regions. Such a poor start in life has a huge impact on a child’s future welfare and productivity.
New schools for poor children in Mexico
In 1990, Father Al and the Sisters of Mary accepted the invitation of His Excellency, Msgr. Jose Maria Hernandez Gonzalez, Bishop of the Diocese of Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, to establish charity programmes in Mexico to address the urgent need for care and vocational education to help their worst-affected children towards employment and freedom from these lives of poverty.
Thanks to the support of our donors, the Sisters of Mary started the Girlstown programme in Chalco in 1991 followed by a programme for boys in Guadalajara in 1998.
These programmes for children aged 11-18 provide full-time care, medical support, academic and vocational training which is accredited by the Mexican Education Authority (SEP) (Secretaria de Educacion Publica). The programmes set these most impoverished children on the path to full-time work and a brighter, more productive and secure future.
More blog posts
28/05/2026
Guatemala Water Appeal
In Zona 6 Boystown, we face intermittent water supply and lack of running water in the school buildings. Can you help us bring clean water to the boys in Guatemala Boystown?
28/05/2026
Sisters’ Visit May 2026
In May 2026, Sr Elena and Sr Margarita visited London to meet with supporters and share updates on work in the programmes around the world
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!