The Life and Legacy of Mother Teresa for Kids
Mother Teresa, who is also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was one of the most caring and inspiring people of the 20th century. She spent her whole life helping the sick, the poor, and the dying. In this article, we will look at her life story, her most important works, the awards she won, some of her most famous quotes, and some fun worksheets for kids to learn more about her.
Biography of Mother Teresa
Quick Facts About Mother Teresa
| Full Name | Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu |
| Born | August 26, 1910, Skopje (now in North Macedonia) |
| Died | September 5, 1997, Kolkata, India |
| Nationality | Albanian-Indian |
| Religious Order | Missionaries of Charity |
| Canonized as Saint | September 4, 2016 |
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was born in 1910. She came from a very religious Catholic family and was very moved by stories about missionaries. She left home at 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. After that, she went to India and taught at a girls’ school in Kolkata.
But in 1946, she felt a “call within a call” to help the very poor. She quit the convent and started working in the slums of Kolkata. In 1950, she started the Missionaries of Charity to help people who were hungry, sick, or homeless.
Major Works
The Missionaries of Charity, which Mother Teresa started, became a worldwide network. When she died in 1997, there were more than 600 missions in more than 130 countries. These are some of her most important works:
- Nirmal Hriday: She opened a home where people who were dying could do so with dignity.
- Shishu Bhavan: A place for kids who have lost their parents or been left behind.
- Leprosy Centers: Helped people with leprosy get better and get back to normal life.
- Food Kitchens and Mobile Clinics: helped feed and care for people who were homeless or poor.
Honors and Awards
Mother Teresa received numerous awards and honors throughout her life for her humanitarian efforts.
Honors and Awards
| Year | Award | Given By |
| 1962 | Ramon Magsaysay Award | Philippines |
| 1971 | Pope John XXIII Peace Prize | Vatican |
| 1979 | Nobel Peace Prize | Nobel Committee |
| 1980 | Bharat Ratna (India’s highest honor) | Government of India |
| 1997 | Congressional Gold Medal (Posthumous) | U.S. Congress |
These awards were given to her for her work to help the sick and poor. Even though she won these awards, Mother Teresa always stayed humble and focused on her work.
Famous Quotes by Mother Teresa
People all over the world are still inspired by what Mother Teresa said. Here are some of her most inspiring and powerful quotes:
“Not everyone can do great things. But we can do little things with a lot of love.”
“Peace starts with a smile.”
“You don’t have time to love people if you judge them.”
“Words of kindness can be short and easy to say, but their effects last forever.”
“Share love wherever you go.” “Never let anyone leave you without being happier.”
Kids can remember and use these quotes in their daily lives.
Inspirational Stories
Story 1: The Sick Man on the Street
One day, Mother Teresa saw a sick and weak man lying on the side of the road. Most people walked past him without helping. But Mother Teresa stopped, took his hand, and took him to her house. She gave him food, medicine, and love. He smiled and said, “I lived like an animal, but I die like an angel.”
Story 2: The Bowl of Rice
The family was poor and had no food. Mother Teresa gave them rice in a bowl. The mother of the family took half of the rice and gave it to her neighbors who were hungry. Mother Teresa asked the mother why she did that, and the mother said, “They are hungry too.”
These short but powerful stories show how Mother Teresa taught people to be kind and share.
Worksheets for Kids
Worksheet 1: Fill in the Blanks
- ________ was the year Mother Teresa was born.
- She established the Missionaries of Charity in the year ________.
- One of her most famous quotes is: “________ begins with a smile.”
Worksheet 2: Match the Following
| A | B |
| Nobel Peace Prize | 1979 |
| Missionaries of Charity | Founded in 1950 |
| Shishu Bhavan | Home for orphans |
| Nirmal Hriday | Home for the dying |
Worksheet 3: True or False
- India is where Mother Teresa was born. (False)
- She got the Bharat Ratna. (True)
- She only helped people in India. (False)
Worksheet 4: Quote Coloring Page
Children can print this quote and color it in:
“Do small things with great love.”
(Place hearts, flowers, and peace signs around the quote)
Conclusion
Mother Teresa’s life is a strong example of how to love, serve, and be kind to others. Children can learn important lessons about helping others and making the world a better place by reading her biography, her most famous works, her awards, her inspirational stories, and her quotes. The Missionaries of Charity and the millions of people she inspired carry on her legacy.
Like Mother Teresa, let’s all try to do small things with a lot of love.
