A World Villages for Children supporter has spent two years making a feature-length documentary about the work of The Sisters of Mary, an order of nuns educating children in some of the poorest parts of the world, with screenings happening in the UK in October.
Three years ago, Paris-born Caroline Duclert, 40, spent a year travelling with her husband and four children to meet charities working to bring education to disadvantaged children in developing countries.
Starting in Brazil, they met the Sisters of Mary, who care for 21,000 of the world’s poorest children in six countries, offering live-in schools and education as well as support into employment for both girls and boys,
Caroline said: ’In Brazil, the Sisters care for some 800 girls from the most remote and impoverished regions, often from the edge of the Amazon. We were privileged to attend a graduation ceremony at their school, and the experience touched us deeply. That very evening, Louis and I knew we had to help.’
‘In Tanzania, I saw how young girls from specific tribes are truly respected and valued for their uniqueness, their personal histories, even their hardships. And in the Philippines, I was struck by how strong and grateful the alumni network remains—even decades later. There is a clear message here, one that must be shared: the Sisters genuinely love these young people. And how could anyone grow into a stable, responsible adult without first feeling loved?’
Caroline, acting as executive producer, teamed up with film director Charles Guillemin to recruit a small film crew and make several trips to Tanzania, Brazil and the Philippines to meet the children and families who are helped by the Sisters of Mary, as well as follow their work. The documentary was shot between August and December 2023.
Caroline added: ‘There were some awful stories, but also so much joy and love from the Sisters towards the children. They turn their lives around and offer so much hope, both to them and their families.’
‘I met Letnas in Tanzania aged 16. He had had so little education he was about four years behind and the size of a 12-year-old. He was one of six children, his mother had drowned in a well in front of him and his family and his father had killed himself a few years later. So he was brought up by an older sister with a background of incredible trauma.’
‘He joined the school and four months later went to visit his family with one of the Sisters of Mary. His older sister said it was the first time she had seen her little brother smile. He finally had hope.’
Caroline has shown her film at private screenings in Guatemala, the Philippines, Brazil and Tanzania as well as in France. Further screenings are planned in Europe, including three in the UK in London, Birmingham and Glasgow. The 80-minute documentary will launch on YouTube on October 19.
Caroline hopes her film will both raise awareness of the work of the Sisters of Mary, share their educational vision, and encourage the wider public to consider donating to support their work.
While the Sisters educate children of all or no faith, Caroline is a devout Catholic and says that she has grown in her own faith as she worked on the project.
‘There is poverty and there are struggles, but there is also so much joy, love and hope from the Sisters of Mary. I hope that my film will help bring their work to a wider audience.’
The screening in Birmingham will take place at 2pm, October 23 at the Mockingbird Cinema, Mockingbird House, The Custard Factory B9. It will be attended by Sister Maria and Sister Mylene who feature in the documentary. If you would like to attend please contact World Villages for Children on 020 7629 3050 or enquiries@worldvillages.org.uk
To make a donation to World Villages for Children and help support the Sisters of Mary’s work, visit https://donation.worldvillages.org.uk/irmas/
For more information, visit www.worldvillages.org.uk/irmas