Joan Brown

Joan Brown has been an educator in the Washington State public school system since 1984, serving children from 7 years to 14 years old, as well as students with special needs.  Her connection to Mthatha, South Africa  first began in 2007.  Including  that initial trip, she has traveled 10 times to this place that has become a “2nd home”.

Joan’s journey towards SMC started in 2014 when she took a leave of absence from a semester of teaching in the US to volunteer in the classroom at Thembelihle Home, one of the partners of Sister Mary’s Children.  At that time she met Sister Mary Paulé. Joan describes the relationship with Sister as a pure gift as she was able to witness Sister’s lifetime commitment of serving others in South Africa.

Joan Brown’s long-term relationship with many of the staff members at the partnering projects fuels her passion for serving as a board member of SMC.  Her frequent visits to the  projects over the years has given Joan the opportunity to see firsthand how they continue to faithfully provide children and young adults safety, hope, education and empowerment!