MANO AMIGA Schools | Catholic World Mission

Empowering Through Education and Faith

At Catholic World Mission, we are dedicated to empowering underprivileged children through high-quality Catholic education. Our mission is to provide not only academic excellence but also spiritual guidance and support to the students and their families. Through our educational and pedagogical program, we focus on developing four crucial aspects of each individual: spiritual, scientific, human, and social. Additionally, we offer comprehensive training programs for teachers and essential spiritual formation courses for parents, ensuring a holistic approach to education.

Supporting the Next Generation

Join us in supporting the next generation of children and helping them realize their God-given potential. By offering scholarships to Catholic World Mission schools, you can provide hope to families and contribute to the success of communities.

Together, we can pave the way for these exceptional students to break the cycle of poverty and thrive.

Mission

EDUCATION: Offers academic excellence and personalized education. Education in selfesteem and self-confidence. Higher learning in the areas of English Language and Computation. FAMILY: School for parents. Family counseling. Job opportunities for parents. COMMUNITY: Distribution of food, clothing, shoes and other donations in kind. Immediate assistance in emergencies and accidents. Support for community projects.

Differences

SKILL THEY NEED TO SUCCEED: Gain mastery of subjects and develop the communication, leadership and critical thinking. PASSIONATE AND WELL-TRAINED TEACHERS: Deliver lessons using innovative techniques and engaging activities. CATHOLIC VALUE: Are integrated in every lesson & activity. STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO AFTERSCHOOL SUPPORT: Mentoring, remediation, and counseling. HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS: Help ensure each child's optimum performance in school. EXTRA ACTIVITIES: Field trips, sports activities, leadership programs, clubs and student enrichment activities are run by local volunteers.

Programs

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: Provide comprehensive education for children and young people in human, spiritual and social fields. HEALTH PROGRAM: Includes first level health care for students and teaching staff. There students and teachers can get basic clinical examinations, eye care, hearing and oral health diagnostics. ECONOMIC PROGRAM: Individual communication and guidance to parents to help them with family economic sustainability, and student permanence approach with the school as a development center. NUTRITION PROGRAM: A nutrition program was necessary for the students because they were undernourished and eating meals without vegetables or meat. The program not only serves their parents as well. It is teaching them that adequate nutrition is important for the growth of their children.

Impact

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT for students. COMBAT THE PHENOMENA OF SOCIAL DECAY: Comprehensive training, based on values and morals; emotional intelligence; development of will; respect for others; the practice of justice and tolerance; the exercise of freedom, peace and respect for nature. COMBAT SCHOOL DROPOUT THROUGH A LONG-TERM project that monitors students to keep them in the institution. PREPARE STUDENTS TO ENTER THE LABOR MARKET. PROVIDE ACCESS TO HEALTH AND MEDICINE to very needy families of the students. SUPPORT PARENTS IN SERCH OF WORK. COMPLEMENT THE EDUCATIONAL HUB WITH FAMILY support programs and community development.

Expanding Our Reach and Impact

Education as a Catalyst for Change

Argentina has a population of 43 million people - 92% of whom are Catholic! Unfortunately, approximately 12 million of Argentinians - 30% - live below the poverty line. The labor force in Argentina is made up of nearly 18 million people working in agriculture, industry, or services. Phenomenally, on average, Argentina has 98% literacy for men and women! This can only be compared with the average number of years an Argentinian spends in school: 17 years. For so many students, it is truly a blessing to grow up in Argentina, however in rural areas it is much harder to keep the focus on school. Even though education is essential to end the cycle of poverty and help people rise above and beyond the poverty line.

Mano Amiga Santa María opened in 2003 and offers educational programs ranging from elementary to high school; continuing education workshops and training for teachers, students, and parents; and a wide
array of extra-curricular activities.
Its educational and pedagogical program focuses on developing 4 important aspects of each person: spiritual, scientific, human, and social. Mano Amiga Santa María also offers training programs for teachers, as well as important spiritual formation courses for parents.

With the help of CWM, Mano Amiga Santa María provides excellent education to poor children and adolescents.

Scholarships for Needy Childrens

Since 2008 Brazil has fought for a stable economy, and has achieved this through debt reduction programs. Although the
country is performing well, there are still pockets of poverty. 21.4% of the population lives under the poverty line. Mao
Amiga Brazil supports a population in dire need of financial resources that is located in the outskirts of ltapecerica da
Serra, bordering the outskirts of Sao Paulo and Embu-Guaçu. It is located in the Jardim Santa Julia district, surrounded by a Catholic Wond Mission region in need of our help, due to many issues, such as poverty, violence and drug abuse.
Mao Amiga Brazil opened its doors in 2006 with 48 preschool children in a remote village far from the metropolitan area of San Paul. This town, Jardin Santa Julia, with 20,000 residents has been plagued through the years with unemployment,
violence, poverty and illiteracy.

Students: 500 between the ages of 4 and 17 years old
Founded: 2002

The goal of Mano Amiga Brazil transcends that of traditional academics. Administrators and educators of the school have geared their program to address the whole needs of the impoverished child. From attention issues to perseverance, discipline. learning deficits and spirituality, the objective is transforming the lives of the children by providing them with the opportunity a formative Catholic education.
Fourteen needy children have received scholarships this fall to attend our Mao Amiga School in Brazil thanks to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a generous and loyal donor, these children are given a significant chance for success. Dr. Perricone has had a heart for the children of Brazil for many years. He has demonstrated his support by funding scholarships to allow these children a chance to attend Mano Amiga School.

Providing an Education to Impoverished Area

Colombia has population of 46 million people. 27 .8% of those people live under the poverty line in dire situations. Although the country has roots in Catholic it is not prevailing ideology of the country. The government is doing everything in its power to increase security and stop drug trafficking and gang violence. Poor cities still suffer under this oppression though.
Providing an education to poor child in impoverished area like the two Mano Amiga schools in Colombia helps change
Catholic Wond Mission the ideology of the communities and helps children choose career paths other than corruption and violence.

Mano Amiga Bello

Students: 667
Founded: 1995

Location: Medellín, Colombia

Medellín, Colombia has dark history of gang violence. The repercussions of this violence are still felt today, but Mano Amiga Bello is a beacon of hope in the midst of great difficulty.
Mano Amiga Bello opened in 1995, during the high of gang violence. In the beginning. there were 30 students who attended class in a small home. Soon, teachers. students. parents, and neighbors started to help. They began building "their school to counteract the indifferences and destruction that was created by the violence in Bello.
Today, Mano Amiga Bello is major education institution in the area. It serves 600 low-income students, giving hope to impoverished families who can't afford school otherwise.

Mano Amiga Zipaquirá

Students: 120
Founded: 20111

Location: Zipaquirá, Colombia

Mano Amiga Zipaquirá is located in a rural area in outskirts of Bogota. Their first classroom had only 20 students but they hope to one day have 900 students attending the school.
The school currently has three grades of preschool, five grades of elementary school, four grades of junior high school and one grade of high school; by the year 2024 it will have two grades of middle school. Out of nearly 11,000 residents, only 3,000 or so have some level of education.

Serves and Supports Families by Education

The village of Piedra Parada Cristo Rey is an impoverished community, located near Guatemala City. They have a population of 5000 people, half of whom are children. Characteristically, they are all very hard working people, but due to lack of education
they earn very little. Mano Amiga Guatemala believes in the dignity of all human beings and provides opportunities for the
children in education, their families, and the community to succeed.

Mano Amiga Guatemala

Students: 190
Founded: 2006

Location: Piedra Parada Cristo Rey, Guatemala

Mano Amiga Guatemala is a school with Christian values that works for the integral development of children, ages five to eleven, in the village of Piedra Parada Cristo Rey and villages surrounding. It is an institution for underprivileged children whose core objective is academic training supplemented by effective programs of family and community development.

Give Students Skill They Need to Succeed

The Mano Amiga Academy community in the Philippines prides itself on the school’s holistic approach to learning. Combining the imperatives of a developmentally appropriate learning environment, solid curriculum, a strong spiritual formation program and extra-curricular activities, the school has seen great success in educating impoverished children, many from the urban slums of Manila.

Mano Amiga Academy, Philippines

Students: 404
Founded: 2005

Location: Parañaque; Philippines

For 16 years, Mano Amiga Philippines has provided over 2000 scholarships to students from underprivileged families. After graduating from college, Lynn Pinugu became inspired by her experience as a youth volunteer at Mano Amiga Guanajuato in Mexico. This motivated her to establish a location in the Philippines, offering low-income families access to international and holistic education. With support from Catholic World Mission, student enrollment has increased from 60 in 2008 to three times that today.

Mano Amiga Philippines Scholars praying chapel

Bring a Higher Level of Education

Mano Amiga was founded in Mexico to bring a higher level of education that is rich in Catholicism to impoverished areas of the country. Since founding, 21 schools have opened in Mexico alone. Those 22 schools in total provide an education for over 15,000 students and give jobs to 1,200 people. Mano Amiga graduates have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, dentists, business professionals, loving parents and involved members of the community. More than 85% of Mano Amiga students proceed to institutes of higher learning; 83% of graduates are formally employed.

'"A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops."- Henry Adams

Mexico confronts serious problems including poverty, violence, corruption, drug trafficking, and social inequality, most of
which are rooted in lack of education and opportunity. Mano Amiga grew in response to these problems. Only quality
education can bring long-lasting change to the country. Read about some of the Mano Amiga campuses in Mexico here.

Mano Amiga Acapulco

Students: 765
Founded: 2001

Location: Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Mano Amiga Acapulco is located in one of the poorest and most Violent communities in the country. The school is a safe place for the Parents who are desperate for their children to safety learn and grow. Mano
Amiga Acapulco is the answer to their prayer.

Mano Amiga Chalco

Students: 190
Founded: 2006

Location: Piedra Parada Cristo Rey, Guatemala

Mano Amiga Cancun

Students: 875
Founded: 2009

Location: Cancun, Quintana Roo; Mexico

Located just miles away from the beach and the tourist district. Mano Amiga Cancun serves the students and families of the surrounding region.

Cancun is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, but many of the local residents grapple with poverty. Mano Amlga provides high quality, Catholic education in a loving, family-like environment.

Mano Amiga Conkal

Students: 404
Founded: 2005

Location: Conkal, Yucatán; Mexico

Mano Amiga Conkal was founded after Hurricane Isidore hit Mexico in 2005. Mano Amiga is a comprehensive education center where children and young people in need receive the tools necessary to become successful people. Mano Amiga Conkal accomplishes this by meeting the poorest families’ needs and forming them spiritually, intellectually, socially, and on a human level.

Mano Amiga La Cima

Students: 423
Founded: 1991

Location: San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L.; Mexico

Mano Amiga La Cima is a fantastic school with lots of beautiful and hardworking students. Several years ago, the school’s fencing was damaged by Hurricane Alex. As a result, the school was exposed to gangs who vandalized it constantly. Your generosity allowed Mano Amiga La Cima to rebuild its focus!

Mano Amiga Monterrey

Students: 950
Founded: 1974

Location: Monterrey, N.L., Mexico

Mano Amiga Monterrey serves students grades Pre-K through high school. Because of limited space, students attend school in shifts: boys in the morning and girls in the afternoon. The average student at Mano Amiga Monterrey has approximately 50% of their tuition covered by scholarships—provided by donors like you!

Mano Amiga Morelia

Students: 875
Founded: 2009

Location: Morelia, Michoacan; Mexico

Morelia, one of the richest and most densely populated cities in Mexico, has the highest kidnapping rate in the country. While the government cracks down on cartels and crime, one of the best ways for children and their families to escape these horrible situations is through education. Mano Amiga Morelia is one of the safe havens that helps children and their families escape the cycle of poverty that perpetuates such crime.

Mano Amiga Puebla

Students: 776
Founded: 2006

Location: Puebla, Puebla; Mexico

Mano Amiga Puebla school is located on the outskirts of the city in a mountainous area. Families who are benefited from this school pay a small tuition monthly, an average of 30 percent of the actual cost of their education. The School grant scholarships to 623 students, equivalent to 100 percent of total students. Many families are waiting to be granted for one scholarship for their children but the school has not enough funds.

Mano Amiga Queretaro

Students: 595
Founded: 2005

Location: Queretaro, Queretaro; Mexico

In 2005, nearly 10% of children in Querétaro were unable to attend school. Mano Amiga Querétaro was established to address the educational needs of the community, specifically in low-income areas. The school initially opened with 7 classrooms, serving 94 preschool students and 100 elementary students. Ten years later, we completed the construction of our first building, which includes 5 classrooms for preschool and 12 for elementary education, alongside academic and administrative offices. Currently, we serve almost 600 students—170 in preschool and 430 in elementary school—while also providing various formation programs and ministries for their families.

Mano Amiga Santa Catarina

Students: 423
Founded: 1989

Location: Santa Catarina, N.L.; Mexico

Catholic World Mission's Executive Director got to visit Mano Amiga Santa Catarina in 2013. There, he was greeted by students, faculty, parents, and the greater community. One of the families Deacon Rick got to meet was Javier and his wife, who have 4 children. Two are grown and work as an industrial engineer and psychologist, respectively. The younger two are still in school at MA Santa Catarina. They say going to school here is worth the daily 3-mile-long walk!

Mano Amiga Tapachula

Students: 774
Founded: 2006

Location: Tapachula, Chiapas; Mexico

Tapachula, a town with a hot, humid climate is located in the southern part of one of the poorest states in Mexico, Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala. With a population of almost 354,000 people, Tapachula has a diverse cultural mix of Indigenous and immigrants.

Quality education is badly needed in Tapachula. There, about 75% of the population lives in poverty. 18 out of 100 people can’t read or write, and most drop out from school after 7th grade. Thanks to your generosity, 98% of Mano Amiga Tapachula’s students are given scholarships, making it possible for them to beat the odds. Thank you for all you do!

Mano Amiga Mexico Baja California classroom

Mano Amiga Baja California

Students: 192
Founded: 2008

Location: Tijuana, Tijuana; Mexico

Known as Mexico’s fifth largest metropolitan area, Tijuana remains a major cultural, municipal, and commercial center. The Mano Amiga School lies on the outskirts of this urban hub in a neighborhood familiar with underdevelopment and poverty.

Through the aid of Catholic World Mission, 100 percent of the school’s enrollment are granted scholarships. Because of the steadily increasing population, however, many families are still waiting to be granted enrollment and scholarship to the school.

Mano Amiga Zomeyucan

Students: 511
Founded: 1963

Location: Zomeyucan, Estado de Mexico; Mexico

Mano Amiga Zomeyucan was the first Mano Amiga School to be founded by the Legionaries of Christ in 1963. It started with 14 students in preschool whose parents were determined for them to have Catholic education. Today, the school has grown to include over 511 students, and international serves students in nine countries! Mano Amiga Zomeyucan laid the foundation for 22,000 students and it is still expanding thanks to your generosity.

PROGRAM UPDATES

Change the Lives of Children in Need

BRAZIL

Jun 24, 2024

Learning Through Christ With Your Help

EL SALVADOR

Apr 9, 2024

Celebrating Love, Faith, and Kindness During Mano Amiga’s 15th Anniversary

PHILIPPINES

Oct 1, 2023

Scholars Club Formation

PHILIPPINES

Sep 1, 2023

Solving Real-world Problems with Education that Goes Beyond

PHILIPPINES

Apr 1, 2023

Another Successful School Year!

GUATEMALA

Feb 1, 2023

2 3

Your Support Creates Lasting Impact

Your generous donations to Catholic World Mission have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of those in need. By contributing to our cause, you are helping us meet basic needs and share the love of Christ with communities worldwide. We provide regular updates through photographs and videos, allowing you to witness the immediate difference your donation makes. We encourage you to support our mission and donate to Catholic World Mission today.

GIVE NOW

Empowering Through Education and Faith

Supporting the Next Generation

Mission

Differences

Programs

Impact

Expanding Our Reach and Impact

Education as a Catalyst for Change

PROGRAM UPDATES

Change the Lives of Children in Need

Learning Through Christ With Your Help

Celebrating Love, Faith, and Kindness During Mano Amiga’s 15th Anniversary

Scholars Club Formation

Solving Real-world Problems with Education that Goes Beyond

Another Successful School Year!

Your Support Creates Lasting Impact

A REGNUM CHRISTI OUTREACH

CONTACT US

FOLLOW US

Get Update & Get Involved!