Education Offers Hope for a Better Future
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” – Romans 15:13
Dear Friends,
When Jesus was born that blessed night two thousand years ago, God fulfilled his promise that He would send us a savior. The desire to spread the Good News of our salvation is what calls our Sisters and their partners in ministry to do the work they do. They have brought hope in many ways through food, a safe place to sleep, clean water to drink, and alleviation of mental and physical suffering.
Offering hope for a better future through education has always been a part of our Sisters’ work and the Mission Society’s focus. Our Sisters have taught in over one hundred schools in four countries. We know that education is one of the best pathways out of poverty.
The Mission Society supports education through ongoing support in Bolivia, Brazil and Jamaica. Being hungry can be distracting to a student trying to learn. The Mission Society sends $750/month to Jamaica to support lunch programs at three elementary schools. Part of the $1,800/month that is sent to Brazil helps with school supplies, books and tuition in Anápolis, Araguacema, Palmas and Cristalândia (see photo above).
St. Joseph’s Teacher’s College (see photo above) in Kingston, Jamaica receives $750/month for tuition, transportation to school and/or boarding plus lunch. The investment in these students is carried forward as they become teachers to many other young students.
In Bolivia, part of their $800/month helps pay for school supplies and bus fare, allowing students living in remote areas to get to school. Pictured above is Sr. Elvira Donaldson, OSF with Bolivian students.
Mission Society grant funding totaling $21,000 in the last year has provided laptops for 25 students at Archbishop Walsh Academy in Olean, NY see photo above); college scholarships, transportation and supplies for three students in Bolivia; classroom upgrades for two schools in Kingston, Jamaica, which will improve academic performance of students; and literacy materials for 110 adult students in Brunswick County, North Carolina.
On behalf of all the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and their partners in ministry, we thank you for your generosity. You have provided the means for us to accomplish God’s work in Jamaica, Brazil, Bolivia and the United States.
I ask you to prayerfully consider a gift that will bring hope to a student by supporting their education.
May the God of hope fill you with joy this Christmas season,
Laura Whitford
President, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
Click HERE for the 2019 Christmas Appeal
To view and order our 2019 Hope Christmas Card, click HERE.
To view and order our 2019 Peace Christmas Card, click HERE.
