Mary Alual is a graduate of Loreto Rumbek and works as a nurse at the Mary Ward Primary Health Care Centre. She heard about Loreto Secondary School from other girls in her village and joined in 2012. It was challenging for her to attend because she was the first girl to be educated in her family. The family did not want her to go to boarding school, as there were many chores to be done, and there was also a man looking to marry her at that time. The family knew that it would be very hard for the marriage to take place if she went to Loreto, and they believed investing in education was pointless.

She stayed with her uncle when she attended the interview and was accepted. She had two weeks to gather the school fees, so she went home. Her mother had heard about Loreto and wanted her to study. She asked Mary’s uncle for the school fees, but he wanted cows in return. With one day left to report to the school, Mary escaped from home. She arrived at Loreto and told Sr. Orla the family would sell a cow. She had no money for shopping or supplies and recalled how her “Loreto mother” supported her. Mary wrote a letter to her cousin in college in Juba to ask for support with the fees. He sent her half the fees, and she was allowed to study. At the end of the term, the school sent another letter seeking the remaining fees, and her sister sold some goats to meet the bill.

Mary´s father and uncle were in the cattle camp at that time and were unaware that Mary had gone to school. When her father found out, he was furious with her mother. Mary had to stay with her uncle for two years until he finally convinced her father that education was positive and she could return home.

Mary completed secondary school, followed this with an internship, and then went to Wau Nursing Training College, South Sudan. Upon seeing Mary graduate, her father came to her graduation and said he would allow other family members to study! When asked how she kept going through all her challenges, she outlined how different people helped her, including her Loreto mother, the matron, and other students when they could.

“I believe all of this was possible due to Loreto, who showed me the direction of where I am today”

Now, Mary is studying part-time for a Community Health Degree at Methodist University Kenya and will finish in 2025. She considers herself an important role model for the girls in her village, and the elders respect her. She supports two sisters in Loreto Primary School and one brother in De La Salle School. Once she started working, she began renovating their home, and now the family has its own compound.

Mary really loves working in the Primary Health Care Centre, and her father calls her every day! A proud man!

This work would simply not be possible without financial support. We are very grateful to all those who believe in our mission and support our work, particularly in relation to educating and empowering girls and women. If you would like to help us assist more women like Mary, please visit our online donation page.