Free, Educate, and Empower Girls in Haiti

In the heart of southeast Haiti, Rosemine’s journey to becoming a confident community leader proves that empowering a girl can transform an entire society. Through the Power to Girls methodology, Rosemine found the sanctuary and skills needed to reclaim her voice.

For years, Rosemine Antoine lived in the quiet shadows of self-doubt. Growing up in a home marked by separation and restriction, she became very shy, often trying to please others in order to gain acceptance. But today, at 21, as she begins her university studies in Educational Sciences, that shyness has been replaced by a powerful, leading voice.

Rosemine’s path shifted when she joined the Girls' Club in her community in southeast Haiti, near Jacmel. “I found a space that accepted me, listened to me, and helped me believe in myself,” Rosemine explains. Within this circle, mentors provided more than lessons on rights and leadership—they offered a sanctuary. Through the sessions, she gained a deeper understanding of the harmful social norms and forms of violence that had shaped her upbringing. She learned about health and power while building communication and leadership skills. Rosemine moved from the back of the room to the center, trading self-doubt for steady confidence.

Her mother noticed her growing confidence and leadership at home, and neighbors began recognizing her as a role model for other girls. Empowered by this new sense of self, Rosemine enrolled in a sewing course. By mastering the rhythm of the machine and starting a small business, she began contributing to her household income—strengthening her independence and proving to her family and community that she was no longer a girl to be restricted, but a leader to be followed.

Today, Rosemine is a catalyst for change. As the coordinator of a girls-led advocacy group, she works with local schools to help girls stay in school and avoid early pregnancy. She has come full circle, becoming a mentor herself for a new Girls’ Club in another community—ensuring the same opportunity for a new generation of girls

Rosemine’s growth is exactly what the Power to Girls methodology—a holistic approach created by Beyond Borders—is designed to achieve. While girls thrive in Girls Clubs, their parents, classmates, teachers, religious leaders, and neighbors are also changing through guided conversations and activities that challenge the attitudes that limit girls and put them at risk of violence. This way, when girls claim and use their power, their communities are ready to embrace them.

The expansion of the Rethinking Power program in Lavanno continues tor progress with 10 mentors + 48 activists mobilizing residents in 5 new communities to prevent violence.

Links:

• Watch our new short film about Rethinking Power