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.

You Will Receive

  • A welcome package with information on your selected Mother Sister.
  • Information about the situation of the country in which she is serving.
  • Biographies from a few of the children cared for by the Sisters.
  • The peace of knowing you are being remembered daily in prayer.
  • Opportunity to share your prayer intentions with the Sisters and children. 
  • Continuing engagement in serving the poor and changing lives.
  • Mission and pilgrimage visits can be arranged to select locations.
  • Opportunities to send notes of encouragement to the Sisters and children. 
  • Periodic updates from the Sisters of Mary.

 *Please note: 

  • The Sisters love receiving notes, but as you can understand, it is often difficult for them to write back directly because of their commitment to caring for so many children.
  • In accordance with our child protection policy, all communications go through the WVC office in the U.S. (personal contact information will be redacted).

Sponsor Sr. Vaileth

Tanzania

Kisarawe

Hello, I am Sr. Vaileth Kahitabusha Willibard.  I am a postulant serving as a Mother Sister for the Sisters of Mary World Villages for Children Girlstown in Dar es Saalam, Tanzania. We currently take care of almost 800 young girls here. We are currently adding new students to the program.

I joined the Sisters of Mary here in Tanzania in 2019. I come from Karagwe, Kyerwa, Kagera Region. I am the youngest of 6 siblings and also the only girl. Being the only girl, I am well protected by my parents and brothers. My parents are all Catholic and very hardworking. They are active in our parish and so I grow up also active in the church. When I was in Grade V, I thought of becoming a religious sister. Oftentimes, I saw sisters in our church and I was inspired by their examples of joy and piety and generosity. Three of my brothers are already married and they also help my parents and my other brothers to study and now they have their small business.

When I entered, I saw the Sisters are very simple, active and loving. I love most especially the prayer life and service to the children. Even when I was new immediately I was helping the professed sisters in taking care of the girls and also in going to different places to recruit the students. Everything is so new to me but little by little I come to know that really to follow Christ, I have to renounce all and give myself totally in what God wants of me. It is challenging but I always believe the God will also give me the grace.

Thank you for your prayers, financial support, and encouragement. Thank you for giving generously give what you have without asking for anything in return. We, as a family of the Sisters of Mary, and with our spiritual children, pray for you and your families daily.  

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.