Guánica, Puerto Rico, is out of the way for anyone visiting as a tourist. It is tucked into the southwest corner of the island, far from the capital, San Juan. But if you go way off the beaten track, you might stumble upon an empowering center for children and families, pictured below. It is called El Instituto Especial para el Desarrollo Integral del Individuo, la Familia y la Comunidad, Inc., which translates to “The Special Institute for Integral Development of the Individual, Family and Community, Inc.”
The kids at the center come from the poorest of the poor families. The neighborhood streets are filled with potholes and littered with broken-down cars. In this hurricane-ridden and devastated island that has forced many to flee to other places for a better life, families are reminded that their dignity is more than their circumstances might suggest.
The center’s mission is part of the commitment of the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima to improve the lives of the people in Guánica. They do this by supporting them through counseling, educational and recreational opportunities. Like so many poor, the children are under-resourced, underestimated and underdeveloped. But they have come to the right place, a place that welcomes them with open arms and seeks to unearth all of their potential.
Religious sisters who are twins
Sisters Maristella, (left), and Judith Maldonado, (right), are the indefatigable, ever-joyful and white-habited Dominican sisters running the center. They are also identical twin sisters. They must have had a wonderful time in their mother’s womb, because they sure do enjoy each other’s company. They finish each other’s sentences and take turns making each other laugh out loud. Their habitual smiles are visible at all times.
Gleeful joy is clearly the most important protocol at the center.
The center is one of several that the Dominican sisters operate in Puerto Rico’s poorest neighborhoods. Hugs (“abrazos” in Spanish) are part of the formula of social change here. A hug is more than a sign of affection. It can also be a conduit to transfer joy and a sign of solidarity that says, “You are not alone or abandoned amid your circumstances,” as is certainly the case in Guánica.
On an Extension visit last year during Puerto Rico’s mask mandate, see how the energetic children—ranging in age from 6 to 15 years—danced to music:
One of the twin sisters blew a whistle and led the kids in a group chant: “¡Soy grande! ¡Soy inteligente! ¡Soy fuerte! ¡Soy importante! ¡Y me doy un abrazo!”
In English,
I am great. I am intelligent! I am strong! I am important! And I give myself a hug!”
This first effort did not meet the sister’s decibel requirement. She blew her whistle again.
And LOUD they went.
Their fun together is all part of the “unbreakable abrazo.” The children, like the two girls below, share the hug of pure joy, affirmation and solidarity that the sisters offer to this community with so many struggles.
Every day, they show the community that the reasons to have hope far outweigh the reasons to despair.
Like a hug from God
The Dominican sisters say that their charism is to give away the love that God gives them. They give away the gift that they receive. God’s “abrazo” empowers and fuels Sisters Judith and Maristella and the other Dominican sisters that serve the community. The center is living proof.
The center (supported by Catholic Extension Society and our parish partner, Mary, Star of the Sea in La Jolla, California) takes on the whole of families’ needs. The sisters offer social and mental health services. They offer fine arts programs. They tutor and train on the journey to and through high school to post-secondary opportunities. They help the victims of domestic violence and child abuse. They serve the elderly, who, like the children, are often left behind and forgotten as people flee the island.
Sisters Judith and Maristella are the Beatitudes comes to life. “Blessed are the poor” is more easily comprehended after watching these sisters give such love to the least of Puerto Rican society. They are God’s “abrazo” for the most vulnerable and innocent among us.
Catholic Extension Society is a non-profit organization that builds up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities in the poorest regions of America. Our support of the people in Puerto Rico in this story comes from the generosity of donors. Please consider supporting our mission!
