Supporting indigenous mentors to reach more girls

For almost 15 years, Abriendo Oportunidades program has worked to provide adolescent girls in rural communities with a safe space to learn about life skills and strengthen their networks of support and friendship with other girls. Throughout his process, each group of girls is accompanied by a mentor who is trained to guide girls during the program. In our journey, we have learned valuable lessons and have met many powerful young women whose work has made possible that we reach the most disadvantage girls in Guatemala. 

During the last couple of months, we have been working with partner organizations to document the history and evidence around Abriendo Oportunidades, its components and what the future could look like for us. And so, to present the product of this effort, we put together an event that sought to present the labor achieved so far by the Population Council, the different components of Abriendo Oportunidades over time and its results in 14 years of implementation. There was also a space to learn about the work of the mentors throughout the program and their future as they are conforming young women leaders' networks or fulfill other aspirations.

This event took place on July 3rd on Guatemala City, and 75 mentors from around the country met to talk about life after the program, opportunities to expand the network to other places and reunite with old friends. We feel revitalized after this meeting and ready to keep working towards a sustainable change for girls and adolescents in this country.

This could not have been done without the help of our Global Giving partners and their kind contributions. In behalf of the mentors, Abriendo Oportunidades and the Population Council, we thank you for your support in our mission and that of Guatemalan women. 

With gratitude and a happy heart, 

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