Chiangmai (Fides Service) - Since 1965 a community of Spanish nuns, Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, have been working in the rural area of Chiangmai in northern Thailand, providing poor girls with instruction and professional training. Ban Marina Home provides education for girls from 15 years of age upwards, whatever their ethnic origin or religious belief, particularly the poorest ones in danger of falling into the circle of prostitution, the course of instruction is given free of charge. Directress Sr. Consuela Garcia, speaking to Supergesto Spanish missionary magazine, said the atmosphere is good despite the different religious and ethnic origin of the girls . "We are not here to proselytize, our aim is to help the girls grow in awareness of their dignity." Besides teaching the girls sewing, drawing, typing, computer techniques, maths and languages, the sisters offer counseling in health-care, advice in moral and social matters and an introduction to the Christian religion. At the end of the two year course most of the girls find work, many as seamstresses. For those who want to stay on, the Sisters have a hostel which has at present 110 girls aged between 17 and 27. (Fides Service 30/10/2002)