The Mary Ward school for underprivileged girls has concluded a three-day celebration as part of events planned to commemorate its 25th year of operation.

Many of the 130 girls who attend the school, run by the Companions of Jesus and founded in 1986, performed dance programs and skits depicting the institution’s origins.

Students also depicted scenes from the life of the school’s namesake, Mary Ward, founder of the CJ congregation.

Narayan Bhattarai, chief district education officer of Lalitpur who attended the events, which included a special Mass on the weekend, expressed his gratitude to the CJ congregation for helping provide free, quality education to the poor.

Mary Ward school is supported by an alumni network  under the larger St Mary’s high school in the capital and by Caritas Nepal.

Kamal Tuladhar, who has raised funds for textbooks and clothing for students of Mary Ward through the alumni network said the contributions have made a substantial difference in the school’s ability to operate.

“Individuals and organizations have been sponsoring 400 students at a rate of 2,500 rupees (US$30) annually per child.”