Children's stories

Anthoni is one of the first boys to come to Dodoma Boys’ School. He is the fourth of eight children and has had a hard young life. Now safe in our new school in Dodoma, with three good meals a day and his own bed, Anthoni has the chance to thrive and access the vital education he needs for a better future.

Marycelina comes from a poor family in Kilimanjaro region. Her mother struggles to support the family alone and her home life has been difficult. Sometimes the family would only eat once a day. Now at Kisarawe Girlstown, Marycelina is able to dream of a life beyond poverty, where she can make an impact on the lives of others.

Kethelyn and Isabella are the first children to benefit from the Sisters of Mary day care, elementary school, and secondary school education in Brazil and they owe their opportunity to our generous supporters.

Maria’s father abandoned her family before she was born, her hard working mother cares for and provides for them. It is a difficult life and they live in extreme poverty. Maria had little hope for her future until she met the Sisters of Mary late last year.

Kenneth comes from Yoro, Honduras. His parents are separated and he lives with his grandmother.

Yordin comes from a farming family with seven children in La Paz, Honduras.

José’s father died when he was young and his mother abandoned him with relatives a few years later. He is now happy and safe at our Amarateca school.

Ana Carolina grew up in danger and poverty in Brazil. She is now safe and happy at our school in Brasilia where she is able to thrive.

Mark used to go to school without food. Now he is safe and happy at school with three meals a day.

Gena comes from a poor farming family in the Philippines. Her father is disabled but still works hard, farming palay (unhusked rice) to provide food for the family of six.

Jescelle was born into extreme poverty in Albay, The Philippines. As one of fourteen children, her loving parents struggled to earn enough money to put food on their plates. At a very young age Jescelle had to step up and contribute towards the household.

Maria comes from a rural village in the mountains of  Mexico. Maria had to care for a younger sibling at home and missed out on primary education during the COIVD-19 pandemic. Her single parent family struggled to put food on the table. In 2021, Maria joined the Sisters of Mary in Chalco Girlstown, Mexico. She is happy and fulfilled at school. She dreams of becoming a teacher one day.

Madalena is 14 and from the poorest barrio in Santana do Araguaia – Pará, Brazil. she came to the Sisters of Mary in Brasilia in early 2023.

Alice comes from the state of Maranhão in Brazil. Alice comes from a poor family, and has struggled to access primary education. After meeting the Sisters in October 2022, Alice found a new home and a hope for a better future at Brasilia Girlstown in January 2023.

Sergio is from Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. He is the youngest of two brothers from a very poor family working the fields to support themselves. Life was extremely harsh for Sergio who was desperate to study and then got even worse when his father died, leaving them destitute.

Frandi had a difficult start to life, he lost his mother when he was five years old and his father struggles to support the family alone. Frandi dreams of a better life and now, at the Sisters of Mary school, he has access to a better future.

Waren grew up in extreme poverty in a large, single parent family. Waren never thought he could finish secondary school and now, after coming to Adlas Boystown, he dreams of becoming an engineer. His education is making his dreams come true.

Rendel is one of the newest students at our school in Adlas, the Philippines. Deserted by his father whilst very young, the family lived in desperate poverty. He joined us in August. His mother cried with joy when we were able to offer him a place in our care.

Mercedes comes from a poor family near Dar es Salaam. After her father’s death, her mother remarried but her step father is violent and abused the family. Mercedes dreams of becoming a doctor to help people like her mother.

Justine is the second child of three children. His parents separated when he was just two years old. He and his siblings were left with their grandparents who tried their very best to raise them and help them to live a normal life but it was a very difficult existence.

Suzana comes from a poor family of six children. Her parents work hard but the family struggles to get by. Suzana joined  Kisarawe Girls School in 2021 and now has high ambitions for her future life.

Oscar is the fourth of 10 children from a poor family in Opatoro, Honduras.

My name is Edwin and I am 12 years old. I have a twin called Cleofe and two other younger brothers. My parents are simple farmers who till the soil for us in order to survive.

Anastazia’s family is large and her parents struggle to meet their needs. Anastazia’s hope is that one day she can provide electricity to people in her community who cannot afford it.

Playing with friends, eating nutritious food, and being loved by my parents. None of these things were experienced by me.

Angel came to the Sisters of Mary School in Biga, Cebu from a poor family of barbeque vendors. Angel is now at school in her first year of secondary school and is enjoying her life with her classmates.

Frenchzai comes from a poor family and after her parent separated, was looked after by her grandparents. After her grandfather died, life was a real struggle for their family.

The eldest of three children and from a very poor family. Cintia had a violent upbringing which culminated in her father’s desertion of her family leaving her mother to farm in order to support them all.

Lara comes from a poor family in Brazil and her life changed when she entered the Sisters of Mary school in Brasilia

Lauanda comes from a very poor family in rural Brazil. Her parents are separated and she dreams of becoming an accountant to help her family.

Lineth came to Villa de las Niñas in 2021 from a very poor, broken family where she experienced abuse. When she came to Villa de las Niñas, Lineth found a supportive family she can share her life with.

When Henry was 4 years old his mother and father were shot and killed. Henry and he and his sister went to live with their uncle and his other 9 children. It was a difficult existence but Henry was determined not to give up his dream of a better life.

Marvin’s parents separated when he was 6 and he lived with his 2 sisters, father, and new stepmother. It was a very poor life. With poor access to education Marvin worked on farms or as a fisherman. In 2017 Marvin joined the Sisters of Mary school in Cebu and his life changed.

Roel is the 9th of 11 children. His father died in 2010 when Roel was just 6 years old. Roel had to grow up quickly and help care for his siblings. He says he felt a lot of responsibility almost like a father. He worked hard to support them all.

Lesly is 12 years old and comes from the village of Nueva Candelaria in Santa Rosa. Lesly’s family struggles to access fresh water regularly, placing additional pressure on her family.

Salome came to Kisarawe Girls School in 2022. She lives with her grandparents and had to sell buns to buy school supplies as her family is very poor. They frequently experienced hunger but when Salome came to the school, she discovered life without a lack of food.

Helena is the third of six children based in Tabora, Tanzania. With no access to healthcare, her mother died suddenly and her alcoholic father was left in charge of the children.

When her mother got pregnant with Vanessa, she was taking drugs and drinking alcohol. Vanessa was born premature and had to recuperate in an incubator. After four days, she was abandoned in the hospital.

Justa is one of 8 children and lives in severe poverty with her parents in rural Tanzania. Thanks to your support and the care of the Sisters of Mary she is now at school in Kisarawe and looks forward to a brighter future.

Miguel is four years old and lives in Sao Paulo with his father. He recently lost his mother and was in a desperate situation as his father couldn’t work because there was no one to care for young Miguel, until, with the support of our donors, the Sisters were able to welcome him into their care at the Sao Paulo Day-Care.

Agnes comes from a poor farming family in in the Mwanga District of Tanzania. She started school at Kisarawe Girls School in January 2022 and is thriving in her new environment.

Rejane is one of five children and after her parents separated, her mother struggled to support them.  Rejane found new hope when she met the Sisters of Mary and was offered the chance to come to Brasilia Girlstown.

Mariamu is from a very poor farming family. Her father struggles with alcoholism and the family relies on her mother to provide, but she is sick with HIV. When Miriamu arrived at Kisarawe, she experienced stability and security for the first time in her life.