蜜桃交友

By Yamile Adriana López Rodríguez

The “Niña Carolina” welfare centre, managed by the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate, has been helping with children’s education, care, and nutrition in Ciudad Delgado, for over 25 years. The municipality is a historically poverty-stricken and dangerous area located on the outskirts of El Salvador’s capital.

This Central American country endured a period of violence, of which even children suffered the consequences. It reached the top of the list of nations with one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America, due to the armed conflict it experienced decades ago.

Responding to this situation, in 1998, the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate founded the C.B.I. (centro de bienestar infantil) Niña Carolina, named after their founder, Blessed Maria Caridad Brader.

The project is part of the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Parish in Ciudad Delgado and aims primarily to support parents who, due to their economic situation, are unable to care for their children.

“The service is completely free, and it is the best for them, especially because of the food program we have,” explained Sister Brenda Chacón, who oversees the centre’s accounting area and also carries out pastoral activities in the parish.

“The admission process for children is very simple; the only requirement is that they fall within the age range”, continued Sister Brenda. “And if they are from vulnerable areas, access is facilitated. Economic factors are also taken into account to help families in need, as that is the objective of the nursery.”

In the Niña Carolina, women-headed households and entrepreneurs have found spaces to work and promote their businesses

Empowering Women

Currently, 105 children between the ages of one and seven are cared for during the day, which begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.

At the centre, they are welcomed by mother-educators; teachers; Sister Josefa Castillo, who oversees the community and directs the centre; Sister María Esther Álvarez Obregón, who is responsible for pastoral duties and supporting the teachers; and finally, Sister Brenda.

Faithful to the legacy of their founder, the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate, through this initiative, which is part of the Social and Educational Ministry of the Congregation, also promote the empowerment of women by providing them with job opportunities, coordinating state-led training programs, and supporting the initiatives of single mothers involved in this social mission.

“Our centre has been improved, and we are pleased to offer a safe and suitable space for our beloved children, as well as areas for recreation and learning so they can have the best,” emphasized Sister Brenda, acknowledging the valuable contributions of entities such as the LACA Foundation (Latin America Community Assistance Foundation) and the Congregational Procuracy proxy, which have provided financial support to the C.B.I.

In recent years, the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate have managed resources in order to have an optimal centre for the children of El Salvador

Everything for Happy Children

In 25 years, more than 2,500 children have benefited from the C.B.I. Niña Carolina services, a commitment that the Congregation believes is worthwhile because it is a work that brings hope to a population striving every day to transform its reality.

They firmly believe that working for children is an endeavour deserving all effort and sacrifice, as their founder taught, having herself experienced the pain of losing her father when she was a child.