Sister Rosalva Sandi
Current ministry Location – Center House New York
Rosalva Sandi was born May 12, 1962 in Potosí, Bolivia to Maria Teresa Torrez de Sandi and Edgar Sandi Bernal. She had three sisters: Cruz Faride, Maria Cecilia, and Veronica Varinia and one brother: Edgar Salvador.
Rosalva graduated from ‘Maria Auxiliadora’ Salesian High School in La Paz, Bolivia in 1980 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences. She earned a Technical degree in System Analysis from El Instituto Superior Amerindia in 1982 and in 1999, Licentiate in Informatics, and Computer Science (IT) from the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, both located in La Paz, Bolivia. She studied Bible at CEPROLAI, an ecumenical Institute in La Paz, focusing on Women in the Bible. She worked for 5 years as a programmer for mainframe IBM computers at FONEM (Mining Exploration Fund) and as a Consultant for World Bank for Mining Systems; she taught Computer Applications at UTB (Bolivian Technological University) and worked in the Computer Department at CITIBANK La Paz, Bolivia. She completed a ‘Diplomado’, a course towards a Master’s degree in Educational Sciences at the “San Pablo” Bolivian Catholic University in La Paz, Bolivia in 2012. In 2024, she earned a certificate in System Thinking from ECornell University in New York. Currently, she is working as a Director of the Library at the Center in New York.
Rosalva entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation from La Paz, Bolivia on August 5, 2000. After her period of formation, she made a profession of First Vows, on August 11, 2002 at the Center in NY. In 2010, in preparation for Final Vows, Sister Rosalva joined four other Maryknoll Sisters to share their experiences in mission during a Reflection Phase Program in New York. She professed Final Vows on January 21, 2010 in Hua Hin, Thailand, after which she returned to her place in mission.
Rosalva’s first assignment in 2002 was to Aileu, East Timor. East Timor had just celebrated its first year as an officially independent country after the war with Indonesia. She was in mission in the country for 19 years. She initially visited refugee camps in Atambua and lived among the people of Manucasa Village to learn about Timorese culture. After conducting small programs for health education emphasizing clean water, good nutrition and malaria prevention for Timorese children Sister Rosalva implemented an integrated, diverse and sustainable development model with the support of a Timorese team. This model was successful because it:
- Addressed interconnected needs: economic (coffee, gardens), environmental (reforestation, renewable energy), and social (education and healthcare) initiatives reinforce each other.
- Built local capacity: Programs focus on teaching skills and creating infrastructure that communities can maintain independently
- Respect cultural context: Integration of traditional practices and cultural expressions to ensured community ownership.
- Diversify opportunities: Multiple income sources and skill development paths reduced dependency on single initiatives.
Her work was develop in three locations:
- ARTC (Aileu Reource and Training Center) founded by Sr. Rosalva Sandi focus on skills development and maintaining a network of financial support.
- KDRTC (Kadala Dame Resource and training Center) initially founded by Sr. Nora Malwin for Catechist Formation program. The center was renovated with a Program for Sustainible agriculture, integrating spirituality and care for the environment.
- MRTC (Manucasa Resource and Training Center) founded by Sr. Rosalva, it is located 12 km. of Aileu in Manucasa Village focused on preserving water sources and sustainable agriculture.
Currently, Sr. Rosalva is at the Center in New York where she is responsible for the Rogers Library, a new project to serve God’s mission.