We are excited to rejoice in the birth of Jesus this Christmas season. The Son of God has made His love visible in our world, and calls us to do the same. The Maryknoll Sisters has and will continue their endeavor to give witness to this “visibility” in our lives and ministries here and around the world.
One Maryknoll Sister who gives witness to God’s love is Sister Mary Vertucci, co-founder of the Emusoi Center in Tanzania. Her mission is grounded in education, providing young Maasai women the resources and tools to grow beyond the traditional roles held out to them. Sister Mary says, “When Emusoi began, there were only three Maasai women who graduated from university. In 2025, there were about 65 Emusoi graduates in university studies and about 40 more have joined this year.”
Emusoi graduates can be found all over Tanzania working as teachers, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, environmentalists, bankers, cooks, civil engineers, and other professions. The Center has had success in educating over 300 students per year! Nasianda, an Emusoi alum, shared how they plan to give back to their community after graduating. She said, “I am well prepared to use the education i have acquired for the benefit of society in general, especially in the field I have studied through giving people technical advice which enable invisible things to be visible.”
Give the Gift of Education This Christmas.
Help Sister Mary and the rest of the Maryknoll Sisters continue their mission in educating young girls in marginalized communities! With the building now over 20 years old, the Center needs many maintenance needs. These repairs are necessary in order to give these young girls a safe place for an education. Sr. Mary shares,
“Emusoi helps these young women to gain access to secondary school and to succeed in school. Most of these girls had limited opportunity for a good primary school foundation. Emusoi has been offering a year-long remedial program which prepares the girls academically, socially, and psychologically to make the transition from a remote village life to a multicultural, multitribal life in a boarding secondary school.”
Together, this Christmas, we can help the Emusoi Center continue giving young Maasai women the right to an education. We humbly ask to help support Sister Mary Vertucci and the rest of the Maryknoll Sisters.