A Journey of Hope

Stories – A Journey of Hope

The Providence Foundation Stories page is a heartfelt collection of true stories from stateless and neglected girls who have found hope, education, and a future through the shelter. Each story reflects the struggles these young girls faced—poverty, abandonment, and the risk of exploitation—and how, through the care and support of the Sisters, they overcame these challenges.

In addition to the girls’ stories, the page also features reflections from volunteers and visitors who have witnessed the transformation firsthand. Their experiences provide an outside perspective on the impact of the Providence Foundation Centre, highlighting the warmth, determination, and sense of family that define the shelter. Whether it’s a volunteer mentoring a child or a donor seeing their contributions change lives, these testimonials reinforce the mission of the Centre and inspire others to be part of this journey of hope.

Missionary Life Testimony

By Sister Jandira Garcia da Costa, 57 years old – Missionary on the border between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos

I was born in Taquarituba, a small town in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil as the fourth child among six siblings, three of whom have already passed away. My childhood was deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. My grandfather was the deacon of the neighborhood church, my aunts were dedicated catechists, and in my maternal grandparents’ home, praying the rosary daily, was a sacred practice. All the children, even those already married, would gather at six in the evening to pray the rosary. Novenas, processions, and the feasts of St. John, with bonfires and pé-de-moleque (a sort of dessert) prepared by my grandfather, were moments of great joy and communion. It was he who passed onto me devotion to Our Lady as a precious treasure. He used to say: “If you don’t have time to pray the rosary, pray scattered Hail Mary’s,” teaching that Mary can be invoked at every moment of life. The first time I saw religious sisters, I was eight years old, when they came to take my aunt to the convent. At thirteen, I met the Sisters of Divine Will at school and I was enchanted by the life of Mother Caetana and her dedication to orphans. I used to say I wanted to belong to Jesus, but, as it happens with young people, worldly things began to attract me.

My grandparents, however, continued to lead me to Mass, to visit the sick, and to visit persons in prisons. My grandfather, belonged to Saint Vincent de Paul Lay Fraternity and used to take me to charitable works together. He always encouraged me, saying that he believed that Jesus was calling me to religious life.

The Beginning of Religious Life.

In 1987, I accepted the invitation to experience life with the Sisters of Providence, where my aunt was already a religious. That was where everything began. In Brazil, I spent many years of my consecrated life, working in various pastoral and educational fields, an area that has always been my passion. Religious life is an immense richness. I have learned, through both pain and love, that vocation is a gift renewed daily.

Mission Without Borders

Since 2009, I have lived the mission in different parts of the world: Italy, South Africa, and since 2011, Thailand, on the border with Myanmar. The local Thai bishop, had asked the congregation of the Sisters of Providence to send sisters to Chang Saen in North Thailand. He entrusted us 16 orphan girls hanging around the catholic church. They lived in a tin roof barrack with primitive facilities. I was sent there with three Asian sisters to open a new missionary front. In 2013, we officially founded the community in Chiang Saen, in the heart of the Golden Triangle, and created a Welcome Center for tribal girls, daughters of Burmese immigrants crossing the border in search of safety and dignity.

Today we are six sisters, five of us from Myanmar, representing different ethnic groups. With the generous support of benefactors, we purchased a small house with land and built our center there. Over the past years, this center has sheltered 160 girls. At present, we are caring for 104 girls and young children through our Education Program, which includes daycare services and a boarding school for girls from villages, especially daughters of immigrants from Myanmar.

We also serve rural tribal communities, dedicating ourselves to catechesis and evangelization of Catholics and catechumens. Here, where the Catholic faith is almost insignificant, our work is a tiny, almost invisible drop, but full of meaning.

I confess that I never felt naturally missionary. I often say: “I am not a missionary; I have become one.” Many times, I thought of giving up because of the difficulties of language and cultural challenges, but I always remembered: “the sisters need me.” And so, I stayed… fifteen years have already passed.

Challenges and Graces

During these years, I lost my parents and a brother, without being able to attend their funeral. It was painful, but also an opportunity to trust even more in God. He granted me courage and strength to continue.

Here we live alongside Buddhism, the majority religion, and we learn to embrace interculturality with diverse ethnic groups, even within our own community.

Mission as Self-Gift

I believe that what missionaries accomplish in the world is not only the proclamation of the Gospel. Our life and energy are offered like a candle that consumes itself to give light. Every gesture, every word, every presence is light given to those who need love and hope and help.

Since leaving in 2009 my homeland, my family, and my friends, I have embraced missionary life with an open heart. The Word addressed to Abraham “Leave your land and go” found deep resonance in my soul.

Today, looking back, I see villages where there was no church and now there are living communities, children, and youth we accompany with care, and faithful who fill chapels with joy and hope.

Gratitude and Hope

Missionary life is a great gift. I have learned that every step is sustained by God’s grace and by the generosity of those who share the missionary spirit, those who pray for us, who support us materially, enabling us to continue serving the most vulnerable.

I am profoundly grateful for everything I have received and continue to receive along this journey. Only those who experience this adventure can understand its beauty.

I thank the magazine Mission and Culture of the Pontifical Mission Societies for the opportunity to share a little of my vocation. I pray that many young people may feel God’s call and follow Jesus in priestly or consecrated life. If you feel God’s breath in your heart, do not ignore it. Listen, pray, speak with someone you trust. The Lord needs courageous young people who are not afraid to spend their lives for love.

The future of the Church and of humanity also depends on your response. Do not wait to be “ready” or “perfect”: God calls precisely in fragility, to make of our life a miracle of grace. Do not be afraid. Say yes. And discover that true happiness lies in self-giving.