MArk kolter And CArol SChuCk SCheiber

SISTer MarTha Mary Carpenter, O.S.F. gives encouragement as students run the required morning laps that help keep them free of diabetes.

These sisters have a school to run

The Franciscan sisters who work with the Pima Indians in Arizona knew that a little exercise could go a long way in preventing a killer disease. Their school is devoted to helping the children in their care stay healthy in mind and body.

TexT by Mark kolTer and Carol SChuCk SCheiber

PhoToS

CourTeSy

of The franCiSCan SiSTerS of ChriSTian ChariTy

Every morning Sister martha mary Carpenter, o.S.F. flashes a grin worthy of a toothpaste ad at dozens of schoolkids as they hustle around an outdoor track in Arizona. She encourages, cajoles, and high fives them one and all until every child rounds the final bend.

Carpenter wants to save their lives.

She may be doing just that.

These kids are Pima indians at the

Mark Kolter is principal of Kolter Creative Counsul in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Carol Schuck Scheiber is content editor for ViSion. St. Peter indian mission School on the gila river reservation. Fate has dealt them several misfortunes. on top of poverty and substance abuse that affect their tribe, half of the adults in their community have diabetes, a disease that often leads to early death. native Americans have the highest incidence of diabetes in the world.

When the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity learned that regular exercise can prevent this deadly disease, they took action. “We start out the day by kicking in the kids’ metabolism by running two, three, four laps around our

The sTeeple at st. peter’s school symbolizes the faith that connects and inspires the sisters and the pima Indian community.

The daIly runnIng not only fights diabetes, it gives kids better energy for their studies, says Carpenter (below).

SISter LINda Brandes, O.S.F. (right) works one-on-one with a student.

“We Start out the day by kicking in the kids’ metabolism by running two, three, four laps around our field until school starts,” says Carpenter (below).

field until school starts,” says Carpenter. Then, after morning prayer and breakfast, every student runs another mile.

“We have made this part of our curriculum,” she continues. “When families sign up to send their children here, they have to buy into this program or go to another school. We also have a very strict program of nutrition. We try to have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in our menu, because we know at home they don’t get that. And we want to give them healthy eating practices that will carry on into life. We’ve been here long enough to see that it is successful.”

The sisters have been with the Pima tribe since 1935 when they ventured from the woods of Wisconsin to the Arizona desert. “My whole time in community has been with Indian people,” says Carpenter. “I come from a very materialistic culture. Even in religious life you can become very materialistic—and things can become more important than people. But when you live with Indian people, who live so close to the earth, who are poor and have nothing but each other and God, you realize that God is their fortress, their stronghold, their source of energy. I draw great strength from that.” =

SISter thereSelle Arruda, O.S.F. helps students master math facts—part of the 4 rs of the school: reading, writing, ’rithmetic, and running.