Sister Elena Belarmino: 'Education to break the circle of poverty'

"Inspired by our Patroness, the Virgin of the Poor, and founded by the venerable Aloysius Schwartz, the Schools of the Sisters of Mary direct their energies to the poorest youth in the country". In the last 33 years, the nuns have taken care of over 63 thousand students, in the four institutes that they run. Food, clothing, housing, medical and dental services, high schools and technical education are free for approximately 11,245 students.

Manila (AsiaNews) - "It is only through quality - academic and vocational education - that poor children can improve their lives and be able to break the cycle of poverty", Sister Elena Belarmino (photo 2), provincial superior of the Sisters of Mary, tells AsiaNews.

For the past 33 years, schools in the congregation have taken care of over 63,000 students in the four campus they run, two in Cavite (near Manila) and two in Cebu (in the south of the country). Supported by 294 teachers and a staff of 264 people, there are 120 religious women "armed with the Marian virtues of simplicity, charity, gratitude and joy". They provide food, clothing, housing, medical and dental services, high schools and free technical education to approximately 11,245 students from poor families across the country.

"We are able to manage the service to the many children entrusted through the grace and Divine Providence of God, manifested through the donations of generous people - says Sister Elena Belarmino - Inspired by our Patroness, the Virgin of the poor, and founded by the venerable Aloysius Schwartz, the Schools of the Sisters of Mary direct their energies to the poorest youth in the country. They provide high quality secondary education and a professional and technical curriculum, which models young people into citizens who are committed to serving the nation, loving their neighbors and spreading the moral and spiritual values ​​of the Gospel ".

The religious seek out the most deserving students in the social and economic peripheries of the country. "Our sisters who are in charge of the selections are in contact with bishops, priests and school heads of public elementary schools. In pairs, they then visit the children’s' homes to conduct personal interviews with interested students and their parents or guardians ", explains the vicar general.

"The education of these children - concludes the nun - is very important, because it is the main means to achieve their goal in life: happiness - in mind, body and soul. Through education, the lives of our students are transformed. They become safe, self-sufficient and productive people, who not only elevate their economic status, but above all their spiritual status ".