Impact Spotlight
Reducing costs and improving sustainability for a world-class education facility for marginalized girls and young women in the Dominican Republic
Solar-powered kitchen providing 2,000 meals per week
Solar for eight classrooms, a computer lab, and external lighting for safety
About
Girls are the key to breaking the cycle of generational poverty, and yet, they are consistently the most underserved, undervalued population on earth. In the Dominican Republic, 75% of girls with only a primary education marry before the age of 18. Early marriage and childbirth leads to dropping out of school and missing out on educational and other available opportunities.
The Mariposa DR Foundation is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions to end generational poverty by educating girls to become empowered young women, because, as their team puts it, “Girls are the most powerful force for change”. In 2012, the Mariposa DR Foundation transformed a vacant hotel into a state of the art educational and holistic wellness space for girls, serving 500 girls annually.
“I went to school without internet or 24 hour electricity at home. I could not study there. Not only did Mariposa provide me with incredible opportunities, but I had a place to go every day where I had access to whatever I needed to feel safe and study. I had food, electricity, and school supplies. Now I am in college studying graphic design. I never would have imagined this without Mariposa”
HF Partnership
With the support of the Honnold Foundation, The Mariposa DR Foundation is upgrading an existing solar system to fully power its educational campus, including classrooms, a computer lab, and a culinary school where more than 2,000 healthy meals and snacks are served every week. Together, we will fully empower the largest safe space for marginalized girls in the Dominican Republic.
Resources
In the News
