You are my sister

Sisters providing aid during the pandemic

Representing over 650,000 Sisters, the UISG network is one of the largest providers of direct community support in areas including health, hunger relief and care for children.

Catholic Sisters in communities around the world are reporting growing evidence of a rise in hunger and vulnerability to human trafficking – and they want to be part of an effective, coordinated response.

Sisters are uniquely placed to address the most pressing issues affecting people in poor communities due to the pandemic, because they are already at the centre of healthcare, education and community development efforts worldwide.

It is vital that Sisters have a place at the table in the post-COVID development dialogue – otherwise more people will suffer.

Support our campaign to raise awareness of the issues impacting local communities during this crisis, and to raise the voice of women religious so they can contribute meaningfully, with their wisdom and experience, to a global, coordinated pandemic response.

You can get in touch with us at findoutmore@uisg.org

#YouAreMySister

SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD

Explore how Catholic Sisters around the world are supporting those in need during the pandemic – from Cambodia to Kenya, from India to Brazil.

SISTERS IN BRAZIL

In Tonantins, Brazil, one of the most isolated and remote communities in the Amazon, Sister Alessandra dos Santos de Santana has a mission.

Here, Catholic Sisters provide vital services to people who would otherwise have limited access to healthcare during the pandemic, as well as spiritual and psychological support to families struggling under their burden of grief.

SISTERS IN KENYA

In Kitale, Kenya, Sister Winnie Mutuku and the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul run a shelter for street children. The aim of their shelter is to protect children from human trafficking and reunite them with family wherever possible.

When COVID-19 shut down the city of Kitale and her shelter, Sister Winnie knew the need for her support would be greater than ever. Throughout the pandemic, she has prepared food at the shelter and delivered it directly to children on the streets.

SISTERS IN CAMBODIA

When the pandemic hit Cambodia, it shut down schools across Phnom Penh, including the nursery, primary and high schools run by the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco. However, the Sisters stayed in touch with families and soon realised that children were going hungry, with no access to free school meals and many parents suddenly unemployed. Sister Jessica Salvaña decided they must act quickly to provide vulnerable families with food supplies and basic hygiene education.

Through a proactive campaign, the Sisters have delivered essential supplies to more than 1,000 families each month. Watch how their leadership and dedication has provided a lifeline to a community in need.

SISTERS IN INDIA

Thousands would have gone hungry in Bangalore, if not for Sister Lalamma and her congregation’s tireless support. Throughout India’s lockdown, they focused their collective energies on providing critical poverty relief to families facing food insecurity.

The Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin prepared and delivered meals, provided drinks and snacks for children, and distributed essential food supplies. Working together, they reached thousands of people living in poverty, who would otherwise have had nothing to eat and nowhere to turn.