The Mariposa DR Foundation works to combat generational poverty by educating and empowering at-risk Dominican and Haitian girls. Since 2009, the organization has provided comprehensive services, including education, healthcare, and a safe space for girls. The Mariposa Center for Girls, the largest safe space for girls in the Caribbean and Latin America, offers more than 40 annual programs. The organization also provides scholarships for private schools and higher education and employs graduates.
In the Dominican Republic, socioeconomic inequality disproportionately affects women and girls. Families often prioritize the education of their sons over daughters, as sons are seen as potential future income-earners. Girls are at risk of early marriage, and high rates of teen pregnancy and sexual assault persist. Girls also often lack access to leadership opportunities.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, Mariposa will grow its “Mapping Her Future in the 21st Century” program. The project will address the systemic barriers keeping girls in poverty by providing exposure to professional environments, cultural institutions, and environmental sites through excursions, guest speakers, and community service projects. These experiences aim to develop critical life skills, environmental stewardship, and awareness of career paths and opportunities.
The program is expected to directly impact 200 adolescent girls and indirectly reach more than 10,000 community members. The goal is to create a lasting program that educates and empowers girls, helping them discover their potential, understand professional possibilities, and gain life skills.
To learn more about Mariposa DR Foundation, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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