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 Yesly

Guatemala

Zona 13

My name Yesly. I am thirteen years old. I will tell you a little about my life, I was born in the department of Petén and five years ago I lived in Bella Vista San Andrés Petén, with my mother, father and my brother whose name is Juan. One unexpected day something happened that I never imagined. In November 2016, my mother passed away due to a serious illness, they took her to the hospital, but they couldn’t do anything for her, a few days later they buried her in Chiquimula and my father, after the burial, left me in Chiquimula with my grandparents, who are My mom’s parents. My dad returned to where we lived before, along with my brother from them, I managed to finish living with my grandparents.

 Since I was eight years old I have lived with my grandparents, thanks to their efforts, I managed to finish primary school.

I haven’t known anything about my dad and my brother for some time, as time went on my dad started calling by phone only for a few months and helping me financially, then he didn’t do it anymore. I stayed with my grandparents, but they are already old and I am also grateful to my aunt who helped me finish my studies, but she can’t study basic anymore because she has her two children. My grandparents told me not to be sad, even though I couldn’t continue studying.

I still remember some words that they said to me, that I should not be sad because I have Jesus Christ as my father.

I found out about the Villa through some of my schoolmates that they were going to take the exam to enter. So I decided to take the exam very happily, I prayed to God so that I could win the exam, thank God I did.

Today I feel very happy to be here in Villa, although sometimes I get sad and miss my grandparents a lot. I remember everything they did for me and I ask God to give me strength to continue with my studies and be a professional person when I manage to graduate. So I can help my grandparents and all those who supported me.

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.