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 Cathyrine

Philippines

Talisay

My name is Cathyrine, I am 12 years old from Cebu. I am the seventh among the eight children born to my parents: Lumencita and Feliciano. My father works as a farmer while my mother is a housewife, and all my siblings are still studying. 

My school is far from home, but mother put up small store near the school where she sells cook banana. Sometimes I stay in the small store so I will not go back in the mountain because it takes one hour to reach my school. This year I finish my elementary school by answering the given modules by the teacher. It is difficult for me, and I did not learn much because teacher cannot explain it to us face to face. We did not also have the capability to have online because my school cannot do so and I cannot also afford to have connection with internet at home. 

I dream of entering the Sisters of Mary School where I heard of admitting students to study for free. I was inform that this year they will already accept even it is still pandemic.  

I took the online exam on March 13. That was a challenging experience since we don’t have our own internet connection. We don’t even have light at that time. We waited for so long just to have the online interview. It was on July that I knew that I passed. I was so happy at that time that I was able to hug my siblings just because I was so excited that I qualify to study at the Sisters of Mary School. 

When I first arrived here in the Sisters of Mary, I thought it was so lonely here. I also felt scared at first not until my dormmates arrived and everything I thought changed. I am very much delighted to receive everything I need for free.  

I also like here because I can learn many things. We have online class, and some teachers are here to teach us. 

What I wanted in life is to finish my studies and someday become a nurse so that I can help not only my family but also other people who also needs my help. 

I am very grateful that I am here, and I want to finish studying here. To all benefactors who are supporting me and my fellow classmates I thank you and always grateful to you. I will strive to reach my dreams by studying harder. 

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.