Unleash the Leader in a Girl

Our Mariposa Volando Program continues to grow as Mariposa girls venture to places all over the world pursuing new opportunities and are finding great success. A Mariposa Volando is a young woman that has graduated from high school and continues to be supported by Mariposa through assistance with scholarship funds, internships, career training and more. 

Mabel has gone literally further than any Mariposa girl to date. Mabel, Mariposa graduate ‘22, is now on a full scholarship at United World College Singapore and loves studying physics! 

Mabel was raised by a single father and grandmother in the barrioLa Ciénega behind the Mariposa Center for Girls in Cabarete. La Ciénaga translates to “the swamp” and is a neighborhood constructed on swamplands of the lagoon of Cabarete. Mabel is one of the very few residents, especially female residents, of La Ciénaga to have left their community or country in pursuit of higher education.

After more than a decade of active participation in Mariposa programs that ranged from learning how to swim at the age of 8 years old to studying calculus with private tutors at 19 years old, Mabel has soared as at Mariposa. Throughout her time at Mariposa, Mabel found a love for softball and is a big fan of the MLB. She even finds time to play softball with her friends in Singapore.

Mabel always stood out to peers and teachers as an incredibly bright, kind, and hardworking young woman. In fact, Mabel earned recognition as the Valedictorian of her high school at graduation in May 2023. 

Mabel returned to Mariposa for 2024 Mariposa Summer Camp as a swim instructor for an internship she obtained in United World College Singapore. She was an adored and trusted mentor and leader for the young Mariposa girls. Mabel had once learned how to swim in that same pool at the Mariposa Center for Girls in Cabarete, now she is a member of the swim team at UWC Singapore!

When asked what she wants to do when she grows up, she says, “I want to be President of the Dominican Republic!” She thinks she can do a great job, and we think so too!

Links:

• Check out our website for more information!
• Join us on Instagram for updates from Cabarete!
• Visit our LinkedIn

When a girl grows up in extreme poverty, many childhood norms, resources, and protections simply do not exist. Not only do girls take on overwhelming household responsibilities, they are also not given access to safe spaces or the opportunities to participate in sports or cultural activities. Often, these girls mature at a young age without parental oversight and guidance. In fact, girls are seen as fully developed women who are ready for marriage and child birth at the age of 12. 

At Mariposa, we aim to nurture and empower girls and young women so they can break these cycles of poverty and instill everlasting change in their families and communities; Beatrice, is a perfect example of the change we are working to create.

Beatrice grew up in a household with 9 other siblings, where her family had little money for food and shelter. For many years, Beatrice’s bed was composed of a sheet spread over a cardboard box on the floor. When Beatrice entered Mariposa at 9 years old, she could not recognize numbers or letters. 

Beatrice is now almost 15 years old and has spent nearly half of her life at Mariposa. With your support, Mariposa was able to assistant in the construction of a new house for Beatrice and her many siblings where they all have comfortable beds to sleep. 

Academically, Beatrice has risen to the challenge every day. After what felt like years of baby steps, just last week, Beatrice completed a math evaluation well ahead of her classmates and earned a 100% score.

Beatrice has grown into a confident adolescent who loves surfing and the theatre…and math!

Thank you for supporting our work at Mariposa. You are making big changes in the lives of many girls every day.

Links:

• Join us on Instagram for real time updates from Cabarete!
• Follow along on LinkedIn
• Mariposa Website