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Fe y Alegria (Faith and Joy) Helping to educate the poor in Latin America is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. Sister Maigualida Riera, our first Venezuelan-born Medical Mission Sister, has been active in the Fe y Alegria (Faith and Joy) education program for the past 2 years. Founded 50 years ago by a Jesuit, Father Jose Maria Velaz, Fe y Alegria is a primary and secondary educational program for the poor that also offers human development programs for adults.
Fe y Alegria now has more than 12,000 schools and programs throughout Venezuela, and in 13 other countries of Latin America as well. About 1 million students benefit from it each year. "To become part of this movement has meant for me to embrace the education of my people," explains Sister Mai. "I am convinced that when we work for people to recover their human dignity through education, we are doing the work of healing."
"I have been able to accompany children, young people, women and men, teachers, other professionals, laborers - all seeking meaning, a reason, a goal for their lives," says Sister Mai. "I have had the opportunity to be Coordinator of a Project of Formation for 1,010 employees of Fe y Alegria - a very fulfilling experience for me." She adds, "I have been able to reaffirm that education is a part of healing - but for it to be so, it must be a process of formation, holistic education which includes all aspects of the life of a person." Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Fe y Alegria continues to focus on the most impoverished and excluded members of society. As Sister Mai reflects, "When we work for the transformation of society, we are working for the transformation of individuals - their wholeness and healing."
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