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Personal Stories

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Hope and Healing Empowering and Transforming Lives

Anne was a homeless young mother with and infant son. She found compassionate care,  shelter and  food from the Sisters in the US.  With counseling and support, she pursued  her education, committed to a job and eventually moved to  her own apartment.

“You gave me a chance. I am NOT a statistic. I didn’t lose my child to foster care and I am not dependent on welfare. My life is always what I wanted, and I did it with your help.” 

Baby Babacar was born in a small remote village outside of Missira, Senegal. His mother was was very young and very poor. She received pre natal care from the Missira Maternity Center and delivered her baby in a hygienic environment, rather than on a dirt floor in her home. Although premature and frail, Babacar today thrives thanks to the Sisters’ care. At six months of age, Sara’s parents brought her to the hospital in Brazil, 50 kilometers from her home. Her severe cough and fever were diagnosed as persistent pneumonia. Thanks to critical care sponsored by from the Sisters, she completely recovered.

”I feel human again,” said a recipient of Haircuts from the Heart in Cincinnati. The program offers dignity, respect, self-confidence and a chance to “fit in.” 

Recently 100 young women came together in Samine to celebrate their accomplishments and share their experiences. One woman remarked, “Before I didn’t know how to hold a needle but now I can sew in different stitches.” Another claimed, “I am happy to have committed to this class because now I can make clothes for my baby.”  And another said, “I am so happy to see all these things the women from villages like mine have made.”

Paolo is a drug addict, hospitalized in a Judiciary Psychiatric Hospital in Italy with a personality disorder. Outside social service agencies have offered no support to his families’ efforts to reintegrate him into the community.  he Sisters have stepped in offering the hope of a new beginning.

“It is great, almost ‘abnormal’  to live simply, without a care in the world, but especially to realize I can do it with a clear

mind. This may sound childish but I am experiencing fulfilling situations and emotions for what they are without the help of artificial and destructive substances. It is not easy…the journey ahead will never end if I want to continue to live in a healthy and respectful way…. I praise those who have helped me get up again. Thank you!” Paolo.

She appeared to be nine years old, but Rowena was 20. She lived on the streets of Damaguete City with her mother and two little brothers. On Sunday evenings they would eat a warm, nutritious meal at the Franciscan Sisters soup kitchen. When the Sisters realized that Rowena was very ill, they took her to the hospital.  Tragically, Rowena was too ill to save. She died within 15 days.

With the promise of work in Europe, a very young Joy became one of the hundreds of thousands of victims of human trafficking for prostitution. The threat of  injury to her family by her captor kept her working on the streets for more than two years. Finally, in desperation, Joy turned to Catholic Charities who advised her to press charges against her Madam. With support from the Sisters she began the Social Protection program. Today she has a job and a new life. She if finally free!

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