Girl Up Three children receive a gift that will change their lives …
Boston, Mass., and Shapur, India might be miles apart, but women in both areas are enriching each other’s lives. Thanks to the passion of a group in Boston to change the lives of girl children in an impoverished village, three girls in India are now able to attend school, something they could have never imagined in their wildest dreams. Clare McNeil, SCN, was inspired to take such action when she read a February 14, 2011 article in Time magazine about an initiative through the United Nations Foundation, “Girl Up.” The article outlines the reality that girls in many parts of our world face: “One in seven girls across the developing world is married before she is 15. Then, she gets pregnant. The leading cause of death for girls 15-19 worldwide is not accident or violence or disease, it is complications from pregnancy.” Studies show the benefits of education: higher income, later marriage, and more lifechoices. The Girl Up program is designed to connect girls — one at a time — across the world to offer the opportunity for an education. That’s the power of the program … a strong invitation to change the world one person at a time. According to their website, the Girl Up program’s aim is to offer girls the opportunity to “become educated, healthy, safe, counted, and positioned to be the next generation of leaders.” When Sister Clare shared the article with Dorothy MacDougall,SCN, the two immediately thought about the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in India and the work that is being done there, specifically in educating girls. Sisters Clare and Dorothy have traveled to India and have met many girls who attend schools run by the SCNs. Many of these girls would never have received an education if it weren’t for the presence of the Sisters. Sisters Clare and Dorothy proposed to their faith group that 11
along with her. The Sisters share how, “One gives support to another. They both cried in the beginning wanting to go home …. Now, they have adjusted, and it is like being in a wonderland for them.”
they consider sponsoring the education for a girl in an Indian village who would not be able to attend school without such support. Each faith group member pledged the equivalent of $5.00/month and in no time they had raised $420. After figuring out the logistics of such support, the faith group members were thrilled to learn that their $420 was enough to support two girls in the village of Shapur. Both girls came to live in the hostel and began schooling. When one of the chosen girls became homesick and asked to return to her village, two girls were chosen to replace her, so now the funds that the faith group donated support three girls. The Sisters in Shapur connect frequently with the faith group members. Recently, the Sisters wrote that one of the girls, Malthi, is from the Santhal Tribe. Her mother is a daily laborer. Her father is unable to work as the result of a stroke. Malthi is six-years-old and has three siblings. Without the support of the Sisters, Malthi would most likely not attend school and would be responsible for taking care of the animals. The second girl, Gudia, was excited to come to the school and encouraged her cousin, Sanjula, to come
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth • Vol. II 2011
Beyond the support of the girls, of equal importance to the faith group members is the connection and support for the Sisters in ministry in the Eastern Province. This effort unites the Congregation across the miles and connects the Sisters and Associates in the faith group in the U.S. with the Sisters in ministry in Shapur. Sister Clare says that when gathering they display the photos of the Sisters missioned in Shapur at their regular faith group meetings, and consider those Sisters part of their group. This allows for a personal connection, and a chance to know and support one another on a deeper level. Upon hearing about this faith group’s decision to join them in ministry in this way, the Sisters in Shapur reflect, “We, all of us in this Shapur community, experienced a great sense of joy and thrill when we heard that the Shapur mission was chosen to be specially cared for. You have chosen us …. You have made us part of you. We thank God every day for the beginning of this new extended connection. Lovingly, Sisters Kiran, Mary Swarupa, Archana, Jyotsana and Paulina.” Members of the group include SCNs Ellen Paul McGovern, Eleanor Martin, Maureen Taaffe, Tess Brown, Dorothy MacDougall, and Clare McNeil. Sister Clare’s sister, Anne Marie McNeil, also contributes to the endeavor. The faith group in Massachusetts now has a new name, they call themselves the “Girl Up Faith Group.” If you would like to help a girl in India receive an education, contact Leslie Wilson at lwilson@scnazarethky.org.
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