The Mano Amiga schools seek to transform people’s lives by creating development opportunities through their comprehensive education. Learn about their history.
At the end of 2023, the Red de Colegios Mano Amiga celebrated 60 years of existence. The anniversary was accompanied by various commemorative events across all the schools belonging to the Mano Amiga Schools Network. It is six decades of positive impact on the lives of people who can also go on to positively influence society, offering quality education and academic excellence.At the first Mano Amiga school, located in Zomeyucan, Naucalpan, State of Mexico, a grand celebration took place on November 8th. This event was a tribute to the commitment to educational transformation and the positive impact it generates in society.
The day began with a thanksgiving Mass officiated by Mons. José Antonio Fernández Hurtado, Archbishop of Tlalnepantla, and concelebrated by seven priests from the Legionaries of Christ who have supported the school at various stages of its history.
Mons. José Antonio congratulated the children and youth, the parents, the educational community, Mano Amiga people from other cities, and the Legionaries of Christ. The Bishop stated that “60 years are a whole story, the fruit of the Holy Spirit to help those in need.” He acknowledged those who have passed away but dedicated their lives to education and the formation of good people in society: “How many people have contributed to this celebration of Christian values. In these times so divided and polarized, we must give thanks for the past, live the present with passion, and hope for the future, because Christ is our hope,” he emphasized.
The event was attended by the parish priest of San Antonio Zomeyucan, P. David Hernández, the Vicar of Pastoral, P. David Granillo, and P. Alberto Simán L.C., territorial director of the Legionaries of Christ in Mexico and Central America, who expressed gratitude for the closeness and support of the Archbishop and said: “I especially thank the parents and teachers who collaborate with this wonderful work in all the Mano Amiga Schools. It is a fantastic task to educate children and youth. I thank everyone who has supported us over the years, sponsors, benefactors, and national directors.”
One of the most prominent moments of the event was the presentation of a testimonial by Karla Itzel Aguilar Flores, a former Mano Amiga student. “I was one of those little girls who came to this school with enthusiasm, receiving a high-quality intellectual, human, spiritual, and social education, but more than algebra, civics, or history, I learned deeper lessons about how friendship and love translate into service, patience, and charity; here I learned that more than technology, we need kindness, because I believe that the power of the human being is not in politics or economics, but in creating happiness. Thank you, teachers, directors, consecrated members of Regnum Christi, catechists, priests, and everyone who has contributed to the growth of this beautiful work, for all the effort and love, thank you for your work, thank you for continuing to transform lives.”
Words of gratitude were also shared by Omar Díaz, director of Mano Amiga Zomeyucan, and Enrique Castañeda, national director of Mano Amiga, who highlighted the commitment of those supporting education and comprehensive formation. Also present were Clara Pedraza Mendoza, school supervisor, and Rosario Guerra, pastoral manager of Mano Amiga, who is a consecrated member of Regnum Christi.
The event concluded with an emotional song titled “Angels Flying,” performed by students of the school, followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque for the 60th anniversary. Attendees sang the Mano Amiga Anthem before listening to closing words and expressions of gratitude from the National Director of Mano Amiga, Enrique Castañeda.
History and Educational Mission
Mano Amiga was founded in 1963 as the mature fruit of the first Legionaries of Christ school, the Instituto Cumbres. Parents wanted to offer the same quality education to other children who lacked those opportunities. Using the same classrooms in the afternoon shift, they served children from the town of San Isidro. Soon after, it moved to its own headquarters in a neighborhood on the outskirts, San Antonio Zomeyucan.Being Catholic educational centers, where children and youth with fewer opportunities receive the tools for comprehensive formation necessary to develop and become successful individuals, embodies the mission spirit of Mano Amiga: “Through education as the main driver, we seek to break the cycle of poverty and achieve positive societal transformation, with the support of a significant number of benefactors, companies, and scholarship sponsors,” they state on their website.Thus, they aim to transform people’s lives by creating development opportunities through comprehensive education based on the following values:Charity and transcendence: understood as love for others that translates into dedication and commitment.
Humility and service: based on simplicity, unity, teamwork, and a true family spirit.
Honesty and consistency: acting with integrity and adherence to principles, truth, and goodness.
Following the same path, in 1974 the Irish Institute of Monterrey created the second Mano Amiga. The educational model was so successful that it gradually spread throughout Mexico and even to other countries. Currently, the network of schools includes more than 20 schools in Mexico. Similarly, there are Mano Amiga schools in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia (Zipaquirá and Bello), El Salvador, Philippines, Guatemala, and Venezuela.
We congratulate the Mano Amiga Schools Network, its management team, teachers, and all its academic community, as well as everyone who has contributed to making this comprehensive education project a reality.Below is a commemorative video for the 60 years of Mano Amiga Schools.
