A toppled tree

Typhoon in the Philippines

On 23 October, Typhoon Kristine (also known as Typhoon Trami) struck the Philippines, causing severe damage to our schools in Adlas and Biga, near Manila, Philippines. The intense winds and heavy rain led to devastating flooding, impacting our schools significantly.

In Adlas Boystown, many areas of the school suffered damage, including our greenhouse, farmland, and several teaching workshops and buildings. These are areas which are critical for daily school activities.

Our supporters have been very generous in helping to fund repairs but more is still needed to bring the schools back to standard. Can you help with a donation?

Children sitting at a table with recruiters

On the Job work experience

On the job training and work experience is a vital part of our children’s education, getting them work ready and giving them a chance to test the skills they have learned at school within the working world.

In October, the girls from Biga and the boys from Minglanilla were lucky enough to find local work experience opportunities so they could start implementing their learning and getting used to working once they graduate school. In Brasilia girls’ school in Brazil, the dentistry students had their internships as Dental Technicians.

In Zona 6 & 13 Guatemala, the Sisters arranged for job fairs to be held at the schools for the graduating children. These fairs encourage companies where the Sisters have relationships to share information about employment and future careers, discuss upcoming vacancies and offer permanent employment to the students once they graduate.  More than 27 companies were represented in October.

Boys on a stage holding up certificates while standing next to nuns

Graduation

In their final year of school and seeing the culmination of their education, the grade 12 children  in Guatemala had their graduation ceremonies. At the Zona 13 Girls’ school, 162 students graduated and in Zona 6 boys’ school 145 graduated .

These students can now progress to the next stage of their lives whether it be in higher education or straight to work thanks to the work experience and jobs fairs provided by the schools. These young people now have the chance to escape poverty and to help their family escape too.

Our children owe this new chance in life to the generosity of our donors, on their behalf we thank you!

Nun with an elderly woman
Sr Elena visits the poorest communities of Tanzania

Community work

The Sisters in the Philippines and Tanzania have been out travelling in the poorest communities within the country reaching out to the most deprived families with children who are in need of a place at the Sisters of Mary schools.

This outreach work, travelling through the rural and isolated communities of the country, takes many months and is a vital part of the work of the Sisters in helping the poorest of the poor to access an education.

During the month, Sr Elena, Superior General travelled with the Sisters to many of these communities meeting the most impoverished families, offering comfort and the chance of a brighter future for their children.

A group posing with certificates

Achievements and awards

The children at all the schools worldwide have continued to be successful in a variety of competitions and challenges in and out of school.  In October, the Schools themselves were also the focus for success when the Sisters of Mary Boystown School in Minglanilla, Philippines, received three awards at the 2024 Regional Healthy Learning Institutions (HLI) Awards for Schools in Cebu City. This initiative supports the goal to make all schools’ healthy environments that promote wellness. 

The awards were: 1. Overall Satisfactory Rating: 2. Best Practice Award for Pillar 2 – Physical School Environment, recognizing their enhanced farming practices and 3. Best Practice Award for Pillar 6 – Access to Healthcare, highlighting the medical services for students and staff in the school clinic and infirmary. Many congratulations to the Sisters for this enormous achievement!