About us

Stella Maris International School (SMIS) was founded in 1988, and has four campuses in Mozambique: Beira, Nacala, Nampula and Quelimane. All four campuses offer classes for students from 3 years old through 12th grade graduation from. The Middle and Upper Schools follow the Cambridge Curriculum. 

Stella Maris International School (SMIS) was founded by Mrs. Marciana Serno – Sablay, a brave and passionate woman from the Philippines. Mrs. Serno – Sablay was motivated by her goal to create the opportunity for children of Mozambique to receive an international education.

Mrs. Serno – Sablay had a difficult childhood that helped form her strong character and commitment to others. She sold chocolates on the street as a child to purchase food and pay for school. As she got older, she had to provide for her younger sister as well. While it was a struggle, she was successful. Mrs. Serno – Sablay learned from her struggles and success that she could make a difference in our world. 

Mrs. Serno – Sablay married Gradus Serno, a Dutch citizen. They moved to Maputo where they opened their first school, Cinderella, in their backyard with only six students–including their oldest daughter, Rowena Serno.  

Mr. Serno moved to Holland with their daughters after selling the school in Maputo; and Mrs. Serno- Sablay moved to Nampula and opened a second school and named it Princess Cinderella. The name would be changed again in 2011 to Stella Maris International School, meaning Star of the Sea. It is a positive reminder of Mozambique’s beautiful and long coastline. In a short time, SMIS grew to four campuses. 

Tragically, Mrs. Serno – Sablay was in a plane crash flying between campuses, and suffered very serious injuries. After five operations over two years, she died on April 22, 2013. Her last wish was that one of her daughters would take over the schools. In 2013, her daughter, Rowena Serno, along with her husband, Rutger Groen, took-over leadership of the schools. Together they are pursuing Mrs. Serno – Sablay’s dream to support education in Mozambique. The new leadership has strengthened each school internally and looked for outside financial help. Mrs. Serno and Mr. Groen created the Foundation for International Education, a foundation-which has received the ANBI status since June 2014 from the Dutch government (tax authorities).

Annual reports (in Dutch)

Verslag van uitgeoefende activiteiten en financiële verantwoording
In de jaarverslagen vindt u zowel een verslag en verantwoording van de activiteiten als de financiële verantwoording.

• Verslag Baten en Lasten 2020
• Beleidsplan IEMfoundation 2020- 2025
• Jaarverslag 2019.1
• Jaarverslag 2018.1
• Jaarverslag 2017.1
• Jaarverslag 2016.1
• Jaarverslag 2015.1