Unleash the Leader in a Girl

Meet Ruthe, current Oruguita (caterpillar).

The Oruguita (caterpillar) Program is created for girls ages 7-10 to introduce the youngest Mariposa girls to the center and begin their development as growing girls. As a 7 year old, Ruthe has participated in a variety of programs just in her first year as a Mariposa girl ranging from swimming and art to math, music, and reading. Although Oruguitas spend a few years at the center before transitioning into Maripositas, for young Dominican and Haitian girls who have never swam in a pool, owned their school textbooks, or been encouraged to express themselves freely, the excitement of being a Mariposa girl is never ending.

When Mariposa programs began in 2009, our goal was to support girls starting at 12 years old to keep them in school and help them graduate from elementary school. Soon after, we realized that providing education and empowerment opportunities to girls at the age of 12 was too late, they did not have time to develop skills and gain tools at Mariposa prior to entering into adolescence. Gradually, Mariposa has expanded programs to enroll girls beginning at the age of 7 years old and our goal overtime shifted from supporting girls to graduate elementary school to middle school then high school.

Thanks to your support, over the past few years, 100% of Mariposa girls have graduated from high school and 90% of those graduates are enrolled in an institution of higher education.

And Ruthe is on her way. She is healthy, happy and aiming high.

Links:

• Check out our website for more information!

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