Christian Brothers New Life

Parent-power at work in Montevideo, Uruguay

Edmund Rice Education can reach out beyond the classroom. If our schools can be true to the Spirit of Jesus and Edmund Rice students will carry that spirit into their families. An immersion programme which took year 10 students of St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace to East Timor so impressed the students that a group of mothers decided to do something to improve conditions for the people their son's had visited. They decided to seek markets for some of the products that were already being produced in the villages. They started with selling cards produced by the women of the villages and have now extended that to the marketing of coffee under the name of "Just Coffee". We will have more on this story as it develops.

This is an inspiring story about La Cruz de Carrasco which is a poor neighbourhood or district in Montevideo where the influence of Edmund Rice has extended beyond the school.

Who are we?

 'The Mothers of the Cross' are a group of Mothers of Pupils from Stella Maris College who work as Volunteers in the neighborhood. We choose education as the tool to Promote Human Development in the areas of psychological, physical, and spiritual growth. We opt to work with Children as They Are They Are Our Future and the Men and Women of Tomorrow. We work to Achieve social inclusion of the Children of the neighborhood. To achieve this goal, we Propose the Following objectives:

 To Instill human values like Respect, self-esteem, perseverance, and Commitment in the Children and Families That we work with.

• To help with school homework, underlining the Necessity of study, work, and Effort to advance in life.
• To Provide personalized assistance program for all Those Who Come to the center looking for help.
• To Develop the talents of Each person, so That They Can Find Their true place in Society, and to assist them to use talents for Their Own Their Development and for the service of the community.
• To Improve the situation in the neighborhood That has over 50% of Their Children repeating school year and 25% deserting or Leaving school early.

The Cruz de Carrasco is a huge Socially Disadvantaged neighborhood. It has a Population of about 1.200 Children. Our group Caters for about 60 Children and We Have a waiting list. So we are Able to address only a small part of the problem. Many more Mothers and Children of the area hope to Participate.

 What do we do?

• Subjects Daily school and help with the provision of materials necessary.
• Personalized Attention and teaching.
• Psychological and pedagogical Attention for children with learning and / or Problems of conduct, Given by a Specially Trained teacher. A Psychologist works with Children and Their Families. A social worker visits Families.
• Processing legal documentation, and free legal aid for Families That Need It.
• We Give a daily lunch to Our Children evening and we Emphasize the Need for healthy eating habits, hygiene, order, and social interaction. Mothers of the Children are Integrated in the preparation and serving of the meal.
• Craft and Recreational Activities. Outings, cinema, theater, and public shows. Celebrations.
• Gifts of food to Families Who Collaborate in running the center.
• Education in values. Workshops in personal formation with Relatives of the pupils. Workshops with parents on violence in the family, limits, etc.
• An afternoon workshop in Cookery For Ten Women from the neighborhood - Mothers, Sisters, and Grandmothers of the Children.
• Night literacy programs for adults ('Yes, I can'). Night in mechanics workshop for youth and adults.
• Morning classes in art for Children Who go to the public school in the afternoon shift.
• Computer courses for children in 5^th and 6^th grades and Also for parents.
• A controlled environment Where we live the message 'Yes, I can'.

 What Do Those Involved say about Our project?

 My name is Silvia Quagliata. I am 50 years old and I have two grown children field, Martin and Mathias aged 25 aged 24. When my children Grew Up, I Had more free time and I Felt That I wanted to do more Than thank God Each night in my Prayers. Therefore I Decide to work with Children and by sharing with them, thank God for all I Have Received in this life. That's how I Join The Mothers of the Cross. They are a very human group, dedicated, responsible, and with lots of energy to do good. I feel Totally Integrated in the group and happy for what i Receive from them. Having Been with the Children, I return home full of love.That I think this is the best way I can sum up What working at 'The Cross' does for me.

 My name is Silvina Margurey. I'm married with four grown-up Children. I feel happy with this' gift from God. " There in the house of 'The Mothers of the Cross', I Have The Possibility of Being close to the Children and Their Mothers and my love of Offering them in the best Manner possible, making mistakes at times, But always with the best intention. My brothers and sisters of The Cross is part of my life, part of my dreams, my plans, and my Prayers.

 My name is Camila - I am a Girl Who Takes part in the Programme. The focus of 'The Mothers' is like a second home for me. It's the only place I'm WHERE NECESSARY Given the time to learn what i find Difficult to grasp. It's Also A Place Where You Can Meet Your Friends Outside of school hours. This is my last year here but i leave Knowing That Other Children will come here and enjoy What Feels When Being one helper by so many people and they'll learn a lot. I'll enjoy this last year to the full and continue learning. I thank all the Mothers for teaching me and for helping me to grow every day.

Hello, I'm Nidia, the WHO mother of four children go to the house of 'The Mothers of the Cross' to study and to Have Their afternoon lunch. My way of thanking the Mothers for helping my children and so many more Children is collaborating in the preparation of the lunch and in the cleaning of the house. I myself Cookery Attend the workshop and the computer classes. I'm Delighted That 'The Mothers' can count on me Because it is a way to pay them back for all that They Have Done for my children and for the way They love them. They are Mothers Who Deserve the best in this life for Their dedication and love for Our Children and Families. I appreciate them very much and for me They are great friends and do the work That They Can only be done by People who are good from Within, and I say That I am very happy to go to the house to be with them and with the Children .

Submitted by Maria Laura Methol (Secretary: Civil Association Madres de la Cruz)

Published July 2010

2010 home remodelling	Silvina Margurey Volunteer with Children	Camilla (right) with a friend
Preparing-vuvuselas - support world cup team	Silvia Quagliata Volunteer with Children.	Children of Mothers Cross