Sisters of Mary mark 60 years of bringing education and hope to world’s most deprived children
As the Sisters of Mary celebrate 60 years of bringing education and a new hope to some of the world’s most deprived children, we are privileged to receive this update from Sr Areli and Sr Marie of the Sisters of Mary in Honduras about their schools for boys and girls in Amarateca and Tegucigalpa …
The Sisters are now caring for 789 of the country’s poorest young boys at this school. These boys are from deeply deprived areas of the country. Many are from farming communities in the mountainous regions where crops like coffee are the mainstay of their families although these livelihoods generate less and less income.
These youngsters from the poorest families who have no access to schooling. These children are also exposed to the rising rate of gang crime and involvement with drugs in the country. This is one of the greatest risks faced by these boys and the driving force behind the work of the Sisters striving to welcome more and more children into their care
For the 250 boys who were welcomed in January and who joined the 539 already at the school, the shelter, care and education provided by the Sisters is a blessing for which they and their families are endlessly grateful.
“They are very grateful for their place at school. It’s a grace for the children to be there with the Sisters. At the time same time the parents are trying hard to guide their children. In the care of the Sisters they want them to behave well and study well.” (Sr Arelia)
Enjoying their childhood
In school, six months after first arriving, the youngest grade 7 boys are settling in well and starting to thrive. For the Sisters, addressing the effects of malnutrition in the boys and the devastating impact of their poor diet on the health of their teeth has been a priority. Thanks to our supporters, the boys are enjoying their new regular balanced diet. However, many of these youngsters need extensive, long term dental care and funding this provision still remains an urgent challenge for the Sisters.
The boys have responded well to the nurturing care of the Sisters by flourishing and growing steadily. They are gaining weight and height, becoming stronger and more energetic every day. They love their studies in class and they are learning fast and improving in their extra-curricular hobbies outside of class especially in all sports. They are happy little boys finally enjoying a proper childhood.
On 15th August, the youngsters were thrilled and amazed to celebrate their first Every Child’s Birthday as well as the special 60th Diamond Anniversary celebrations for the Sisters.
Excelling at school
For the older students at the school, life has continued to be a contented pattern of studies, laughter and new opportunities.
The children are studying hard in their academic and vocational subjects with the older, final year students taking advantage of on the job training at Sherwin Williams and Toyota. The Boys are looking forward to final employment and future careers. The Sisters reported that the employment rate of last year’s graduates remains high at 70%. The boys finished school with good skills, particularly in automotive, carpentry and welding, and were able to secure jobs and begin to help their families.
The junior boys still at the school are loving every new opportunity and continue to be confident and ambitious for success. They have been competing locally, regionally and nationally in both academics and sports. The boys most recently joined the National Youth week tournament winning first place in the Basketball, Soccer and Handball. The Handball team went on to also take first place during the National Student Games (CODICADER). They will represent Honduras in El Salvador on 5th October.
Progress in Tegucigalpa
On 26th September Sr Maria Goretti and the Sisters at the girlstown in Tegucigalpa gave up their morning to update us on the progress of the girls in their care at the school.
The 164 new girls welcomed in January who had struggled so much with their learning before school and in the early days with us, were now gaining in knowledge and doing well in their studies.
The Sisters reported that the new girls are all now at the national grade 7 level. Having spent the last few months receiving additional help from the teachers and the older girls at the school. The result is that “they are now strong in their academic lessons and are about to pass their final year 7 exams, they also love their arts subjects and sports!” (Sr Maria).
Their health is improving but dental problems continue to be an enormous worry. The Sisters struggle to find the funds to pay for the treatment required by the children. This remains a focus for our fundraising.
During the call we were also thrilled to hear that Darely, one of the newest arrivals into school who we met in March, is doing really well. She has settled into school, loves all the new opportunities and plays the guitar in the orchestra. She is thriving in the care of the Sisters. Darely has grown in confidence and enjoying the childhood freedoms of her new life at school.
Achievements in and out of the classroom
Like the boys in Amarateca, the girls in Tegucigalpa continue to excel in and out of the classroom. We congratulated the girls who achieved first place in the basketball and soccer competitions during the Youth week tournament in August.
The girls at the school are all enthusiastic competitors in sports and extra-curricular activities in and out of school. This includes the national band competitions and within the school. The girls regularly compete in friendly competitions against each other – they remain hugely enthusiastic, energetic and keen to demonstrate their skills at every opportu
A Summer of Celebrations
A key highlight from the last couple of months has been the celebrations of the childrens’ birthday and the Sisters 60th (Diamond) Jubilee on 15th August.
This anniversary has made this year a double celebration and a very special time at all the schools worldwide. The girls and Sisters in Tegucigalpa made it extra special in Honduras with thanksgiving masses, celebrations, birthday parties, presents, cake, and presentations to special friends, graduates and visiting supporters.
Whilst the Sisters always make a huge effort for the children’s birthday each year, this year the Sisters reported that they were particularly touched when all the girls at the school in Tegucigalpa took extra time to celebrate their love for the Sisters for their special jubilee. The girls made gifts for each of the Sisters and baked small individual cakes which they presented to each of them. They also sang Las Mañanitas under the window of the Sisters’ accommodation at the school. The Sisters were all deeply touched by this demonstration of love and affection from the girls.
