Studying at San Patricio’s

“I love San Patricio” is the title of the campaign to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the “Colegio San Patricio” located in the popular area of Huelin, Malaga, Spain. The campaign was launched by the diocesan Foundation for Education Santa Maria della Vittoria, to mark the educational and social commitment of the Institution, whose activity is promoted by the diocese of Malaga. Since its announcement the campaign has received a large number of endorsements. All the members of the educational community, parents, teachers and pupils, as well as alumni, convened for the initiative titled “I love San Patricio” to share their experience in the Colegio and convey messages of support to its activity, valuing education and the social development of children. A Facebook page, a Twitter account and an email address were created for the event, with personal messages and pictures.The best moments. Personal testimonies and tokens of gratitude were conveyed by pupils and parents alike. Antonio Rodríguez spoke about his experience: “I could count on the support of the headmaster, as well as on the teaching and educational staff”. María Ángeles Martín, added: “The Colegio San Patricio made me the person I am, I’m very proud of having learned everything I know today. The same is true for my children and grandchildren.” Paloma Martos said: “The best moments of my life were the years spent in a school based on sound values with wonderful people who are like a family.”Support to families in difficulty. María Dolores Utrera has four children, all of whom are pupils at the Colegio San Patricio. Her financial difficulties worsened after the death of her mother, whose pension helped the family to never skip meals. When her mother died for María Dolores it was hard to make a living.  But the school helped her providing the children’s schoolbooks and school uniforms and took care about the rest. “Last year – the woman recalled – the stove broke down and they gave me a new one for Christmas. Thanks to the school I can continue preparing hot meals for my children.” The humaneness, the closeness and the perception that teachers are “special” people, make parents feel they are part of the educational environment. “From the caretaker to the cleaning-woman they’re all beautiful people, perfect, and very humble. They’re just like us – pointed out María Dolores -. They’re kind to everyone and always willing to give a helping hand. If you’ve got a problem, they listen and give good advice.”Open doors to the Muslims. A Muslim family was among the first to share their experience. Amira Salah has been living in Malaga for the past 15 years. Her husband is a businessman; she is a housewife. They have two children who attend San Patricio. Although they are Muslim, they decided to register their children in the Catholic institute after a negative experience in public school. “It is widely believed that public institutions are used to relations with others religions, but it wasn’t our case”, Amira said. For the Colegio the fact that she belonged to another faith was not a problem. “When I told the headmaster the reason why I wanted to enrol my son in the school he opened the doors of the school. I experienced the unconditional support of the entire staff. It was as if they had always known me.” Now also her second son is a student in the Colegio cattolico. Amira and her sons are enthusiastic about the school. One of the children told her, speaking about the school: “Mother, now we are happy.” With a broken voice Amira said her children made a lot of friends in school and feel perfectly integrated, as if they had been attending San Patricio for years.