I Started A Thing (or, Yes, this is part where we ask for assistance)

Promoted by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Salesian Sisters

Thank you for being a part of the VIDES+USA mission and legacy!

We deeply appreciate your generous support in development projects and

sponsorships in countries worldwide.

For further information on other missions and membership, please refer to our website at:

www.vides.us

VIDES Accompaniment in Kenya

      

The MAZZARELLO FUND
“Go ahead with courage and without fear.” St. Maria Mazzarello

Mission

The MAZZARELLO FUND supports the education, development and social outreach projects of the Salesian Sisters in Makuyu, Kenya, for the benefit of WOMEN and YOUNG people in at-risk situations. Started by Mary Margaret Mason, it aims to unite members of the Makuyu family in Kenya and people here in the United States by forging connections between two different cultures, building friendships, awareness, and fostering solidarity.

Overview

The Salesian Sisters began the Mother Mazzarello Village community in Makuyu in 2006, and the sisters there work to support and educate the young from the surrounding area. The Mazzarello Fund supports the following:

Children’s Home – currently home to 21 young girls ages 5-15, and currently at capactiy! By enveloping the young girls in a loving community, the Salesian Sisters and international volunteers help the girls grow and learn important study and work habits, as well as provide them with a family-like community of support. As the girls often do not have a stable family life, this is very important to help them as they grow.

Youth Hostel – currently home to 42 young women ages 14-19, and also currently at capacity. The girls in the hostel study at the secondary school or technical school, some of them coming from very far to do their studies. The Salesian Sisters provide the girls with a stable environment and strong community where they can focus on their education and improve themselves as women of God.

Secondary School – Don Bosco Day Secondary School provides education services to over 200 students and the school is constantly growing. The secondary school works to provide a quality education to its students, but is constantly facing challenges in terms of funding for school supplies, teacher salaries, and physical space. Despite this, the Sisters work to always better their students’ opportunities for their future.

Sponsorship/Scholarship Program – Some of the students at the secondary school have been blessed to have sponsors in other countries for their education. However, there are always students that struggle to pay their school fees. The Sisters do their best to assist the students as they can, but forming a scholarship program for deserving students would greatly assist the Sisters in carrying out their mission t0 help and educate poor youth.

Current Projects

• Secondary School – The Sisters are attempting to raise funds for a television to be bought and installed in the school so that students will be able to gain awareness of national and international events, as well as watch educational videos to assist in lessons.

• Solar Panels – Solar panels have already been installed in one part of the Mazzarello Village compound for heating water and the Sisters would like to raise enough funds to add more and to repair a part that is broken. This will greatly reduce the use of electricity and lower the always high electrical bill, freeing funds for other uses.

Immediate Needs

• School supplies, especially books, and other educational tools that students cannot afford
• Firewood, as the secondary school provides lunch to all its students and the children’s home and hostel provide all meals to those who live there. Firewood is necessary to cook for the youth and it is always running low
• Add extra support to the sponsorship/scholarship program to ensure opportunities for poor youth to attend school and gain an education

Long Term Goals:

• Build a new classroom as the school is currently at capacity despite the growing number of students
• Have at least one textbook for every two students, working towards a future of one textbook per student

   

Thank You for being a part of the Mazzarello Fund

Donations may be tax-deductible. Send through VIDES+USA.                                                 
    

• Go to http://www.vides.us/donate.html
• Be sure to dedicate your gift to "Kenya-Mazzarello Fund."
 
• Use a credit card at PayPal or Network for Good on the VIDES+USA donate web page 

• Or mail a check made out to VIDES to:
 Sister Mary Gloria Mar 6019 Buena Vista Street, San Antonio, TX 78237 USA.

VIDES+USA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in special consultative status with the

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the

United Nations