Education attacks poverty at the root level, allowing individuals to realize their God-given potential to elevate their lives and communities. An enlightened mind opens the door for people to make generational change. By lifting the impoverished out of educational poverty, we spread seeds of hope and provide avenues away from the negativity of drugs and crime.
Our Mano Amiga school system helps children in abject poverty rise above and beyond to become doctors, lawyers, dentists, business professionals, loving parents and involved members of the community. The Mano Amiga schools have been bringing hope to poor families willing to help themselves for nearly 50 years. More than 22,000 children in 40 Mano Amiga schools throughout the world have been served in this unique approach to attacking poverty.
Catholic World Mission also assists non-Mano Amiga schools around the world in need of basic assistance such as school desks and chairs, and much-needed repairs to school properties damaged by natural disasters.
Mano Amiga
About
Under the spiritual direction of the Legionaries of Christ, a religious order of the Catholic Church, the first Mano Amiga School opened its doors to 15 students in kindergarten in 1963. Our Mano Amiga schools address the academic, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of families in impoverished areas.
Today, there are 40 schools in the Mano Amiga system, serving over 22,000 students living in poor, urban communities in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela and the Philippines. Providing high-quality, values-based Catholic education, thousands of students are rescued from what could be a life plagued by drugs, violence and chronic poverty.
The success of Mano Amiga is confirmed in the statistics. More than 90% of Mano Amiga students complete their high school education; at least 85% go on to University or technical school; in regional scholastic competitions, Mano Amiga students repeatedly come out on top, beating out students from wealthy, elite schools. Creating a platform for people to use their God-given talents to become self-sufficient, Mano Amiga Schools offer families the experience of love, intellectual stimulation, spiritual growth and opportunity.
At Mano Amiga schools:
- Students gain mastery of subjects and develop the communication, leadership and critical thinking skills they need to succeed
- Passionate and well-trained teachers deliver lessons using innovative techniques and engaging activities
- Catholic values are integrated in every lesson & activity
- Students have access to after-school support: mentoring, remediation, and counseling
- Health and nutrition programs help ensure a child’s optimum performance in school
- Field trips, sports activities, leadership programs, clubs and student enrichment activities are run by local volunteers
Globally
Argentina
2003 Fátima, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2003 Santa María, Argentina
Brazil
2006 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Chile
1989 Recoleta, Santiago de Chile, Chile
2002 Región V, Santiago de Chile, Chile
2002 Santa Teresa de los Andes, Santiago de Chile, Chile
Colombia
1997 Bello, Antioquía, Colombia
2011 Zipaquira, Colombia
El Salvador
2002 San Antonio, El Salvador
2003 San Antonio, La Paz, El Salvador
Guatemala
2006 Cristo Rey Piedra Parada, Guatemala
2008 Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala
Mexico
1963 Zomeyucan, Edo. de México, Mexico
1964 Tizapán, Distrito Federal, Mexico
1974 Monterrey (La Boquilla), Nuevo León, Mexico
1979 León, Guanajuato, Mexico
1987 Cualcan Lerma, Edo. de México, Mexico
1989 Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, Mexico
1990 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
1991 La Cima, Nuevo León, Mexico
1993 Chalco, Edo. de México, Mexico
1994 Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico
1999 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
2001 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
2004 Villas de San Juan (León II), Guanajuato, Mexico
2005 Conkal, Yucatán, Mexico
2005 Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
2006 Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
2006 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
2006 Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
2006 Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
2008 Tijuana, Mexico
2009 Cancun, Mexico
2009 Morelia Michoacán, Mexico
2009 Santa Fe de la Laguna, Michoacán, Mexico
Philippines
2008 Taguig, Phillippines
Venezuela
1994 Filas de Mariche, Caracas, Venezuela
2004 La Montaña, Fila de Turgua, Venezuela
Child Sponsorship
Every year thousands of children are turned away from school because they cannot afford tuition. This is especially prominent in impoverished areas of Latin America, South America, and the Philippines. These children are stuck in the cycle of poverty that perpetuates from generation to generation. The only way to expand their opportunities is to receive an education.
On average one full-year scholarship to a Mano Amiga school is $800. This generous donation cover the cost of uniforms, tuition, books, and nutrition programs. For $67 per month, you can send a child to school for a year.
Mano Amiga strives to address the academic, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of families in impoverished areas. With a graduation rate of 90% in the Mano Amiga schools in the Americas and 95% in the Philippines Mano Amiga students go on to higher education, technical schools, and universities and typically are the first of their families to do so.
95% of the students in Mano Amiga rely on scholarships to attend school year after year. They are thankful for caring friends like you who provide them with this opportunity We offer a leg-up, not a hand out to these extremely needy families. Sponsor a child today!
To read profiles of some of the students visit our profile page here.
MA Annual Fund
Every year, Catholic World Mission raises funds to support the needs and resources of Mano Amiga schools. Currently given to over 38 schools in 9 different countries, donations are allocated for anything from scholarships to desks to building construction. We believe that a strong education can lay the foundation to an even stronger future. Striving to provide as many opportunities as possible, Catholic World Mission shares Mano Amiga’s goal of reaching out to communities to end the cycle of poverty. Education is more than a quick fix. By giving to this yearly appeal, you contribute to progress and development towards life-long, sustainable changes in many lives.
Del Rio Foundation
Faith and the National Football League create opportunities for generous living
In 2016, the Jack Del Rio Foundation and the National Football League (NFL) made generous contributions to Mano Amiga Mexico ahead of the Oakland Raiders game against the Houston Texans in Mexico City. In 2017, the Raiders will play the New England Patriots in Mexico City, and the Jack Del Rio Foundation, led by Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and his wife, Linda, plan to make it an international celebration of generosity.
Jack Del Rio Foundation
The Jack Del Rio Foundation was founded in 2007 to give back to communities in need, especially underserved youth, to help face and overcome the challenges and adversity of life. Jack and Linda Del Rio have long been committed to making a difference in the world. The platform given to them by professional sports provides the perfect opportunity to make a big difference on a widespread scale.
Mano Amiga Schools
Under the spiritual direction of the Legionaries of Christ, a religious order of the Catholic Church, the first Mano Amiga school opened its doors to 15 students in kindergarten in 1963. Our Mano Amiga schools adress the academic, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of families in impoverished areas.
Today, there are 40 schools in the Mano Amiga system, serving over 22,000 students living in poor, urban communities in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, and the Philippines. Mano Amiga schools provide high-quality, values-based Catholic education. Thousands of students are rescued by Mano Amiga from what could be a life plagued by drugs, violence, and chronic poverty.
Pope Francis Initiates Sport at the Service of Humanity
In October 2016, the Vatican hosted the first ever Sport at the Service of Humanity conference, a gathering of representatives from different countries, sports, faiths, and academic disciplines, to discuss how faith and sports can come together to further human values. The Pontifical Council for Culture reports, “The conference looked at how faith and sport can leverage their combined power and influence to promote positive values, inspire youth and make contributions for the betterment of humanity.”
In his address at the conference, Pope Francis said, “As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, she is working in the world of sport to bring the joy of the Gospel, the inclusive and unconditional love of God for all human beings.”
Linda Del Rio attended this conference and was deeply inspired by it. She said, “After speaking with my fellow delegates, who all do amazing charitable work in the world of sport globablly and in Third World countries on a daily basis, I believe that this would be a fantastic opportunity to give something sustainable back to Mexico City within the world of sport.”
Hearing from Linda Del Rio
We recently asked Linda Del Rio about the ways faith and giving back influence her life. Here’s what she told us.
CWM: How did you hear about Mano Amiga schools?
Linda Del Rio: I met Father Daniel Hennessy, LC, and Father Mark Haydu, LC, over coffee in Rome while visiting my daughter, Aubrey, there. We started talking about the Raiders’ schedule. I said, “I really want to give back globally because the NFL hasn’t done that yet.” Father Daniel and Father Mark told me about Mano Amiga and how amazing these schools are. I was on board from that conversation on.
CWM: What role does faith play in your life?
LDR: It is the beginning, end, and middle of the night of my world. Faith is living wholeheartedly in knowing that 90% of what I do is up to God–I only control maybe 10%.
CWM: What inspires you to live generously?
LDR: God’s mercy, and the graces He gives, as well as the great opportunity to do many works, inspires me to say yes and give back, especially through the platform of sport.
CWM: Was there a defining moment or key experience that led you to give of yourself for the greater good?
LDR: As a young girl growing up in Southern Louisiana, I saw my parents help at the Newman Club at the local university each weekend. They were very involved in that ministry, and helped the college students connect, give back, and share their faith. At the time, I thought it was a very natural activity that all families did, but looking back I realize the effort and the many hours my parents spent involving me and my four siblings with the Newman Club, and all the generosity they shared with the students. I grew up in a lower middle class environment so now I realize there was great sacrifice and effort for my parents to show us an example of wholehearted living.
CWM: How does living generously impact the rest of your life?
LDR: I hope my children and future grandchildren see the works I am trying to accomplish and see worth and value in them.
CWM: Why should others give to philanthropic organizations (Catholic World Mission, Mano Amiga, and beyond)?
LDR: Giving back and making a difference is the value of your life. It is imperative to do.
CWM: How do you want your generosity to make a difference?
LDR: More than ever, it’s important that we all focus on working together globally. One of the major goals is to educate our youth, leaders, parents, guardians, and businesses that this is a priority in the goal of world peace and harmony. A few years ago, Pope Francis organized Sport at the Service of Humanity. This was a great opportunity for many organizations and consultants in sport to cooperate and work together in a global setting. It was a great way to share ideas. We realized that we all have the same issues and goals: to make the world a kinder, better, more generous place to live and work.
Thank you, Linda Del Rio and Jack Del Rio Foundation!
We are deeply grateful to Linda Del Rio and the Jack Del Rio Foundation for their generosity and support of Mano Amiga schools in Mexico. Enjoy the photos below from last year’s event at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City!
To learn more about the Jack Del Rio Foundation, visit www.jackdelriofoundation.org.
To learn more about Sport at the Service of Humanity, visit www.sportforhumanity.com.
To join this historic collaboration between the Jack Del Rio Foundation and Catholic World Mission, click the green button below to donate to the Mano Amiga Child Sponsorship Fund.
Mano Amiga Schools
Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
El Salvador
Guatemala
Mexico
Philippines
Venezuela
Non-Mano Amiga Schools
Bangladesh
Cameroon
Costa Rica
Ghana
Honduras
India
Kenya
Nigeria
Philippines
