We Will Always Be Butterflies
The Mariposa DR Foundation is full of pride and celebration as eleven of our special young women completed their studies and graduated from the Mariposa Center for Girls. For many of these young women, their graduation marks the end of over ten years participating in Mariposa programming. These graduates experienced a magnitude of academic enrichment, environmental education, arts, culture, health & wellness, vocational training, and recreational activities that have allowed them to discover their own strengths and interests.
Over the past year, these young women increased their English acquisition, learned necessary computer skills, volunteered at our mountain school in Jarabacoa, traveled to Santo Domingo to visit museums and local universities , had a class bonding swim/pizza party at the Center, toured local businesses in Cabarete to become aware of necessary job skills, and together planned a fantastic culminating party to celebrate their graduation.
One of our recent graduates, Arianny, summarized her experience at Mariposa beautifully:
“Today is a very special day for all of us. It is one of those long-awaited days and that is later remembered with great nostalgia. Today- Friday, June 17, 2022- ends a very important stage of our lives for all of us. We have finished our butterfly stage and we will begin to fly.
Together we were able to face the problems that arose and we learned to take care of each other. I feel a combination of feelings-joy and nostalgia. Joy because we have accomplished what we set out to do and nostalgia because the great butterfly season is leaving us where we shared joy, sadness, challenges and above all, triumphs.
We are here today because we have worked with effort and perseverance overcoming each of the challenges and obstacles we have faced. We have learned, among other things, that punctuality and determination are important, that rules should be honored, that we must show solidarity with one another, that we must be firm and make our voices heard, that we are not going anywhere without effort, and that what we achieve today is only a small part of what we can still achieve. Today begins the flight that will never end, we will always be butterflies.”
As these young women become Volandos* entering adulthood with confidence and empowerment, we honor and support them as they continue their education or enter into the workforce. They have broken barriers, exceeded expectations, and touched the lives of those around them. Congratulations Andrea, Aida Maria, Arianny, Kimberly, Maria Angelica, Mika, Niurka, Osmeiris, and Yenidel! And thank you to all who have contributed to their success!