Sponsor a Sister in Brazil

Sisters of Mary Brazil

Although Brazil has seen economic growth in recent years, large segments of the population still don’t benefit from the progress the country has made. In Northeastern Brazil, where the Sisters perform most of their recruitment, extreme poverty persists. Regular access to water and electricity is rare, sewage systems are inadequate, and many children have to leave school in order to work and support their families’ basic needs. When children live in poverty, it not only impacts their own development but also increases the likelihood of being passed on to future generations. Families caught in this cycle are not equipped with the tools to plan and control their lives, but instead, they must focus on surviving. The Sisters of Mary help break this cycle by committing to children’s physical, educational, social, and spiritual well-being. The Sisters of Mary operate Girlstown, Villa de las Niñas in Brasilia, Brazil.

Our Girlstown in Brasilia offers free live-in middle and high school education to girls from extremely poor backgrounds. Many of these children are from distressed families or are being brought up by single mothers. Under the loving care of their Mother Sisters, the girls have the chance to escape poverty permanently and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. They receive a safe place to live, full time care, a quality accredited education, technical training, access to medical and dental care, balanced nutrition, and unconditional motherly love from their Mother Sisters, helping them into an independent adult life and a productive future. The children live together, make friends, attend classes together, pray, and play together. They enjoy sports, music, and art, and share their lives with one another, forming friendship bonds that last them a lifetime. The Sisters also maintain daycare centers and elementary schools in Brazil providing children a safe place to play and learn while their parents are at work.

Girlstown Chess Tournament

Charitable Programs

  • Brasilia Girlstown – Currently provides homes and education for over 800 girls 
  • Sao Paulo Elementary – Providing over 500 children of the poorest in the community daycare and elementary services while their parents are at work
Brazil Girls Nursing Aide
  • $39 FEEDS ONE CHILD FOR ONE MONTH
  • $72 EDUCATES ONE CHILD FOR ONE MONTH
  • $125 FULLY SPONSORS ONE CHILD FOR ONE MONTH
  • $1,496 FULLY SPONSORS ONE CHILD FOR ONE YEAR
  • $49,368 FULLY SPONSORS ONE FAMILY OF STUDENTS FOR ONE YEAR

Day in the Life of the Sisters of Mary

Day in the Life

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.