Hello, I am Sister Fernanda. I currently serve at the Sisters of Mary World Villages for Children Girlstown (Villa de las Niñas) in Brasilia, Brazil, and we take care of over 800 young girls here.
I was born in a poor city in the State of Maranhão, Brazil, and my parents’ financial situation was extremely precarious. They could barely support themselves. I was blessed to be allowed to study with the Sisters of Mary. In my last year as a student with the Sisters of Mary, I discovered the call to follow in their footsteps and example, and I asked to be accepted as a candidate to be a Sister of Mary.
I always try to be present with the children as their spiritual mother, as I know they have suffered a lot before coming here. With the grace of God, today, as a Sister of Mary, I can interact with the children dynamically and sensitively so that they see and feel the love and protection of the Sisters and our Lord. Sometimes, they have difficulty opening up and adapting to their new life because they were mistreated and did not feel loved by their family. I feel how much they suffer, and it is not their fault. That is why I give them the affection, care, teaching, and love of a mother in the name of Christ. This helps them regain their self-esteem and feel loved and valued. My favorite part of being a Sister of Mary is having the opportunity to serve the children following the spirituality of Father Al, our founder.
What makes our work unique is that we not only aim at meeting the children’s physical needs but also give them the educational and moral formation that will help them to live for eternity with God. Thanks to you, our dear benefactors, the children in our care receive everything necessary spiritually and materially. My spiritual children and I keep you in our prayers daily.
God bless you and thank you for sponsoring me!