Who we are and what we provide

The Sisters Of Mary

The Sisters of Mary are devoted to helping the poorest of the poor in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The religious order was founded by Aloysius Schwartz, the priest of the poor. The Sisters have been operating charitable programs for more than fifty years serving children with the greatest need who have the greatest potential. In 6 countries there are 400 Sisters of Mary caring for over 21,000 children with the mission of helping them break free from a life of poverty. This is one day in the life of a Sister.

Your Support Provides

  • Hope.
  • Clean water.
  • Medical care.
  • Dental care.
  • Three nutritious meals a day.
  • A safe place to live and study.
  • Clothing and school materials.
  • Help to break the cycle of poverty.
  • Spiritual, physical, and emotional care.
  • Vocational training tailored to local industries.
  • Protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • Opportunities to participate in sports, music, and art.
  • Spiritual, social, and academic formation and guidance.
  • Education for students that leads to careers or college.

Meet Maria

Guatemala

Zona 13

My name is Maria. When my mom was pregnant, my dad found out she was expecting a girl, he told her to my mother that he did not take care of me because he wanted a boy child to be born. Since then he abandoned my mother and looked for another woman and she has never seen him again. I have felt really very bad because I have not felt the love of my parents. Also, I wanted to help my mother when she was sick with neurosis, she was in bed at that time due to lack of resources, she could not go to a hospital, my grandparents were very sad to see my mother who suffered a lot, the time came when that she could not move for anything until her death.

Personally, I have felt very sad to date because I have not received affection from my parents, especially from my father who never loved me, he always rejected me. Currently I live with my grandparents, but they are already old, with the help of an uncle and my grandfather I managed to finish my primary school. My uncle has his children, it has been difficult but little by little I tried to help them to buy me my school supplies, for that I thank God.

I stopped studying for two years due to the lack of money, I didn’t have the possibility, during that time I helped my grandfather in the fields to cut tomatoes, chili, etc.I have really felt very bad even at school since my classmates talked about their parents who bought them clothes, shoes, and among other things, I also heard them that their parents loved them very much and I had nothing. But I always remember the words of my mother who always said: daughter, never be sad for not having an earthly father, your father is Jesus Christ and also your grandparents, were my mother’s words before she died.

Before entering the village through a neighbor, I looked for the data of the school, I was able to apply the exam, I begged God for the strength and courage to win the exam. The time has come to call for the results and thank God I came out benefited. I feel very happy to be here even though I miss my grandparents, but it was time to find ways to get ahead and above all be a professional person.

Learn more about the children

The children at our schools come from the poorest of the poor. Each child has their own stories of what their life was before coming to our schools and how their lives are being transformed by the Sisters of Mary programs.  Read the moving stories of our children in their own words. 

Meet Our Graduates

There are 160,000+  graduates from the Sisters of Mary Schools. Many of our graduates went on to live prosperous lives, helping their families and local communities. Read the inspiring stories of our graduates in their own words. 

Life At Our Villages

Learn more about how we help children break free from a life of poverty.