The Mariposa Girls Leadership Program educates, empowers and employs girls living in extreme poverty in the Dominican Republic - setting them off on the path to become active leaders for social change.

One in ten people living in extreme poverty is an adolescent girl. Adolescence is a critical time in life for all, but for girls it will chart the course for the rest of her life. When a girl hits adolescence a small window opens and it can slam shut fast and forever if she drops out of school, becomes pregnant or exposed to HIV. For boys living in poverty adolescence means independence - for girls it means isolation. To change the world we must educate, empower and employ our girls.

The Mariposa DR Foundation has created an experiential education program teaching young girls leadership qualities and marketable skills - setting them off on the right path to become active leaders for social change in their communities. Investing in the education, health and empowerment of a girl today means that she will have the tools to make smart choices that will better the lives of her children in the future. This program will get 50 girls from adolescence to adulthood safely.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Organization: The Mariposa DR Foundation

Location: Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Website: http:/​/​www.mariposadrfoundation.org/​