Sister Esperanza Principio
Current Ministry Location – Peru
Esperanza Valmeo Principio was born August 7, 1962 in San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines to Isabel and Melanio Principio. She had1 brother: Renato and 3 sisters: Amelita, Milagros and Christina. As a resident, Esperanza grew up participating in the Diocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Cruz na Daan, San Rafael where her family were active parishioners.
She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy, Baliuag Bulacan, Philippines in 1979 and earned a Bachelor of Science – Business Administration in 1983 from the University of the East, Manila. She joined the Religious of the Virgin Mary shortly after college, serving with the Congregation for 21 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science – Education from the University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City, Philippines in 1992 and in 1996, a Diploma – Rural Development/Social Leadership from the Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute, a training facility strategically located in Northern Mindanao, Philippines.
Sister Esperanza became an associate Sister of the Maryknoll Sisters on August 10, 2005 and signed an Associate Contract November 16, 2005. She pronounced First Vows August 2, 2009 at the Center in NY and Final Vows July 29, 2012 also at the Center. Her first mission assignment 2006-2012 was to Panama. She worked first with the Instituto para el Desarrollo de la Mujer y la Infancia (IDEMI) on children´s rights and well-being in Panama and Colon Cities. Afterwards, she initiated the Chapter of Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) and became its first National Coordinator while she worked in the education, research and publication programs of the Justice and Peace Commission of Panama.
In 2013, Sister Esperanza was missioned to Peru. There she worked with Paz Peru a non-governmental organization in Arequipa City, and served in the literacy and gardening program for the elderly. She taught the social aspect of the faith in the Confirmation Catechism class at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Enace, Alto Cayma and started the Center for Community Development at Colegio Jose Caruana, the school operated by the parish of Missionaries of St. Paul (Malta). At the Center, Sister Esperanza collaborated with parents, students and teachers in environmental, socio-economic and enrichment education program for children and adolescents at the Colegio and the neighboring Virgen de Chapí School.
A passion for nature, cultivated by the love her parents always had for gardening, coupled with intensive study on sustainable agriculture, helped Sister Esperanza make a difference among the people of Peru.
Sister Esperanza earned a Master of Arts in Applied Social Research from the Ateneo de Davao University, Philippines in 2000 that enabled her to engage in Social Development Programs for more than two (2) decades.
In 2017 Sister Esperanza moved to Villa El Salvador District, south of Lima and started a new mission with another Maryknoll Sister. She helped in the organization of the Pastoral Social Programs of the Parish of Christ the Savior and became an Energy Medicine Therapist in the Parish Health Center. In 2018 She initiated the Chapter of Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) and became its first National Coordinator of Peru. The GNRC is a global-scale interfaith network of religions, faith-based organizations and individuals specifically dedicated to securing the rights and well-being of children.