about us
FMSI was established with a specific purpose: To make
the world a better place for children and young people.
Our history
Established by the Congregation of the Marist Brothers of the Schools in 2007, the Marist Foundation for International Solidarity works in the world for the rights of children and adolescents to ensure them better living conditions.
The Institute of the Marist Brothers was created in France on 2 January 1817 by Saint Marcellin Champagnat and today numbers 2,700 members who – assisted by over 7,000 lay people – work in 78 Countries on 5 continents. The Marist network operates through 585 schools as well as universities, social works, youth movements and programmes, in favour of children and young people most in need.
FMSI has been working for 17 years to develop the potential of children and youth by making them active agents of social transformation in their communities. In accordance with its Mission, FMSI works mainly through inclusive education, advocacy and solidarity projects and initiatives to protect and guarantee the rights of children, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised.
The Marist Foundation for International Solidarity believes in a world where childhood is respected and guaranteed, free from violence and fear.
Creation of “New Horizons 2’, the first multi-Country project involving the entire Province of Southern Africa.
Creation of the Secretariat of Solidarity, that works together with FMSI on Advocacy and Child Rights.
FMSI raggiunge iL TRAGUARDO DEI 500 progetti in 68 paesi e 67 report EPU presentati in 43 paesi
FMSI diventa ETS e membro del Forum delle ONG di New York
Organization
Our work is dedicated to the Mission of the International Marist Solidarity Foundation, supporting projects and initiatives that promote child rights and make children protagonists of Change.
He graduated in History and obtained a master’s degree in Religious Studies and Counseling. He served with the Marist Mission in Melanesia from 1984 to 2014. For 30 years, he taught and was a Director of several schools in Papua New Guinea and for nine years was District Leader of the Marist District of Melanesia. For several years, he also carried out very important work, assisting children and young people in vulnerable situation caused by the civil war in Bougainville. He is president of FMSI, member of the General Council and Link Counselor for Africa and Arco Norte. He speaks Italian, English and Tok Pisin.
KENNETH CHARLES MCDONALD
President
He belongs to the Province of Mediterránea and has worked in several schools, such as Cullera, Sanlúcar la Mayor, Badajoz and Madrid-Chamberí. He was director of the Champagnat Home in Torrente (center for minors) and has been formator of the Scholasticate of the Provinces of Compostela and Mediterránea. He has a degree in Teaching, Psychology and a master's degree in Religious Sciences. Since September 2019 he has been director of the Solidarity Secretariat of the Institute of the Marist Brothers in Rome. He speaks Italian, Spanish and English.
Ángel Diego García Otaola
Advocacy and Child Rights Coordinator
Colombian from the Norandina Province, he has worked as an educator in Colombia and Ecuador, served as principal at schools such as Los Naranjos IED (Bogotá) and San José (Armenia), led various stages of Marist initial formation, was a member of the Provincial Council in Venezuela, and served for six years in Cambodia in the Marist District of Asia; holding a degree in Religious Sciences and a Master’s in Leadership and Educational Management, he is currently the deputy director of the Secretariat of Solidarity – CMI. He speaks spanish and english.
Diego Leonardo Zawadzky Zapata
Advocacy and Child Rights Officer
Graduated in Languages and International Relations with a Master's degree in HR Development and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Children's Rights, he has over 15 years of experience in international project coordination and management in about 50 countries. An expert in Project Cycle Management and Theory of Change, he has been Director of FMSI since 2021, working on strategic organizational development, technical assistance, and building institutional networks and strategic partnerships. He speaks English, Spanish and German.
andrea rossi
general director
She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science International Relations with master's degrees in International Cooperation and Law and Social Media Management. She has held the position of Project Administration Officer at FMSI since 2022. With more than 8 years of experience in the field of development cooperation, she works on fundraising strategies and technical assistance in project design, management and monitoring with a focus on children's rights. She speaks English and Spanish.
maria rita pala
Project Administration Officer
Graduated in Strategic Science, he attended the Military Academy in Modena and the School of Application in Turin. He served in the Italian Army holding various command and staff positions in Italy and abroad, participating in UN and NATO missions. Since 2013 he has been working at FMSI dealing mainly with construction and access to education projects in countries of the global south. She speaks English and Spanish.
Francesco Mastrorosa
Project Administration Officer
Graduated in Political Science with a thesis on migrants, she has worked for FMSI since 2007. She has carried out several missions to Africa, Asia and Latin America to assist local communities in the design, reporting and evaluation of projects in the field of education and promotion of children and youth. He is currently involved in cooperation project management and works in partnership with national and international networks and private donors. She speaks English, French and Spanish.
angela petenzi
Project Administration Officer
Graduated in Political Science and International Relations, completed two master's degrees: Development Cooperation and Human Rights Protection. She is involved in drafting, monitoring and reporting on development projects, and supports the management of the Marist Family Global Fund for Humanitarian Emergencies. Since 2024, she has supported the Director of the Solidarity Secretariat in advocacy activities in Geneva. She speaks English and Spanish.
Pamela Difino
Project Administration Officer
Graduated in New Technologies of Art from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts with postgraduate study in Video Editing and Post-production, with a thesis on cinema and racist propaganda during the Third Reich, she has worked as an Editor in film and Artistic Director for social media in Paris. She is currently in charge of content for social media, press releases and editorial campaigns for FMSI. She speaks English and French.
marta morotti
communication assistant
Graduated in Law with a thesis on armed conflicts in Palestine and Yemen, she has worked for FMSI since 2024. Her passion for human rights led her to work in various nonprofits and international cooperation, including audits of projects in Morocco, Burkina Faso-Niger and Haiti. Today, she is responsible for the economic and administrative management of the Foundation and financial oversight of international projects implemented abroad. She speaks English and Spanish.
eleonora gastaldello
Finance & Office Administrator
Graduated in Intercultural Mediation, she completed a Double Master’s Degree in Development Sciences and International Cooperation and a Master’s in Leadership for International Relations. With experience in the NGO sector focusing on sustainable development and human rights, she has worked and studied in Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Kazakhstan. She is currently an intern in the Project & Fundraising Unit at FMSI. She speaks English, Spanish, and French.
melissa gullo
intern
He holds a Bachelor of Education and an MBA in Finance. A member of the Marist Province of West Africa, he currently serves on the Provincial Council. Since September 2020, he has overseen Solidarity initiatives across the Province, working to foster collaboration and support to strengthen many of such activities. His mission has taken him to Ivory Coast, Ghana, Chad, and now Cameroon. He began an internship with FMSI, aiming to establish a similar structure within the Province of West Africa to enhance its outreach efforts. He speaks both English and French.
Cho Nchang Atzi–nwi
intern
Governance
Board of Directors
Kenneth Charles McDonald, President – FMS (Australia)
Maria Inmaculada Maillo (Spain)
Jorge Gaio, FMS (Brazil)
Angela Matulli (Italy)
Rebecca Jane Bromhead (Australia)
Fortune Chiedzo ChakasaraFMS (Zimbabwe)
Supervisory Board
In compliance with the provisions of Legislative Decree no. 231/2001, FMSI has adopted its own MOGC 231 Model, Code of Ethics and a Supervisory Board, position held by lawyer Luca Pardo odv@fms.it.
Bylaws & Reports
Bylaws
Financial Statements
social REPORT
