Job Training for the Chicas Brillantes

Dear Friends,

For the past 18 months, Peace Corps volunteer, Xanat Gonzalez has been living in the rural community of Tres Ceibas, Dominican Republic where The Mariposa DR Foundation has a small satellite program for girls. Xanat served as a Community Development Volunteer, focused on working with the girls on activities that foster gender empowerment, self-esteem, and leadership skills, that will help them seek employment or start small businesses to sustain their families. 

The Chicas Brillantes consists of girls and young women ages 12-24 who meet weekly to learn new skills, support and empower each other, and promote environmental leadership, education and activism. Some of their projects included establishing and maintaining a community garden at the local public school, learning to make organic pesticides and creating income generating activities through eco-tourism in their community. Several of the older women also completed technical training on how to construct efficient cookstoves that reduce firewood consumption by 30%.

17 year old Carmencita says "I see where I come from very differently now. Before I did not think that we had anything, but now I see the possibilites around me.

Because of your generousity, girls in this small rural community are learning new things, becoming empowered and motivated to change their community and the world. None of this would have been possible without your support and we thank you!

With gratitude,

The Chicas Brillantes, staff and volunteers at The Mariposa DR Foundation

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