Mariposa DR Foundation

The Mariposas are doing something unique to the island and unique among the culture; paying attention to young women, their needs, their education, their training. It is an organization run and led by women- domestic and international. They forge relationships with the participants and the community and investing in this organization is investing in a grass roots movement. They are creating a positive shift in the way women are valued, and the way they value each other. This ripples through generations and communities and lasts longer than the organization ever will. I am proud to have invested a year of my life in this organization and working with the Cabarete community and their young women. Hopefully, I can do it again one day!

Going into my trip I wasn't quite sure what to expect, I for sure didn't expect to form lifelong friendships and amazing bonds with people I didn't know before this experience. Ever day I see a small way that this experience changed me and I am truly greatful. I would advice anyone who is considering volunteering at the Mariposa DR foundation to do it because it was the highlight of my summer/year and an amazing experiance.

I was first introduced to the incredible work of the Mariposa Foundation when my daughter volunteered through Middlebury College. As she became more involved, so did my interest in supporting their work through my personal donations. I had the privilege to visit in March 2015 and see the facility, meet the staff and girls. Wholeheartedly, I endorse the core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty by focusing on girls...and the Mariposa Foundation is doing it right. Be confident that your donation will change lives, and perhaps, the world!

I had the opportunity to spend three weeks volunteering with this incredible organization. They are really doing a lot to empower the amazing girls. I continue to be inspired by their work, and hope to return in the near future to get more involved.

For the past two years, as a high school teacher, I have taken students to the Mariposa foundation. My students and I cannot say enough of the good the foundation is offering their clients, the young girls of Cabarete. The Mariposa foundation is exposing them to alternatives they my have never been aware of, if not for the foundation. I hope that I will be able to contribute to this great and inspiring foundation.

Inspiring, valued, cutting-edge, holistic, and highly impactful education for girls and women. Making a daily difference in reducing global poverty and increasing human understanding. The only foundation in Cabarete, DR with such a wide, informed vision and scope. I will continue to support and donate to these awe-inspiring programs.

Great organization, great people! It's incredible how much they've done in such a short period of time!

The summer volunteer program was a fantastic experience! The girls will steal your heart, make you laugh, and amaze you with their talents, determination, and resilience. There are so many amazing activities going on: arts, literacy, swimming, circus, baseball, gardening, sewing. I loved watching the girls get excited about something they made or jumping into the pool without fear -- they are discovering who they can be and it's such a privilege to support them in the process of becoming. Cabarete has many draws: beaches, water sports, delicious food, but getting involved in Mariposa's work and getting to know these girls will make you want to come back again and again!

The Mariposa DR Foundation opened my eyes to so many new possibilities in life. It deepened my passion to learn Spanish, and photograph the candid moments that might otherwise get passed by down in the Dominican. The staff was wonderful at the Center along with the girls and their willingness to try new ways of learning with us.

I learned about the Mariposa DR Foundation from a fellow peer at my college; she informed me that the foundation had close ties to my college and that they focused on working with and empowering young girls in the DR. I thought to myself-- I need to volunteer here! Volunteering with the Mariposa DR Foundation was simultaneously my first time out of the U.S. and, I must say, the foundation was a great one to have that experience with; everyone cared for my well-being throughout the entire trip. Truly a "tranqui" lifestyle! --something different than the hustle of a college environment.

Working with the girls was indeed the best highlight! I taught English and Theater classes, and everyday I looked forward to spending time with the girls, teaching, and hearing the many stories they'd have for the day. I can't wait until I can go back and visit the girls that had such a large impact on my overall being. Las Mariposas- the world's most powerful forces for change! :)

I first learned about Mariposa in my courses on Women & Poverty at UVA, and I was so excited to serve as a summer volunteer for 2014. In my time there, I was blown away by the holistic model Mariposa employs to ensure the well-being of their girls. From good health to cultural enrichment to job skills, Mariposa addresses the needs of the whole child. I would recommend becoming involved with this organization 1000%! If you are able to serve as a volunteer, not only will you learn from expert development field workers about the girl effect model, but you will fall in love with the brilliant, confident, sassy, and beautiful young girls and women of Mariposa. The bonds you make with these passionate Mariposas will last a lifetime. I myself plan to return to this exceptional NGO for the next year as a long-term volunteer. VIVAN LAS MARIPOSAS!

Even though I only spent a week volunteering with the Mariposa Foundation, I was blown away by the important work they are doing in the DR. Observing the impact that this Foundation has on the lives of these girls was a life-changing experience. I believe so strongly in their mission that I am dedicating a whole year to volunteering with them after I graduate, and can't think of a better way to spend my time. The Mariposa DR Foundation is a truly wonderful non-profit.

Volunteering for the Mariposa DR Foundation was one of the best, most life-changing experiences I've ever had. I learned more in one week than I've learned all year being at an elite college -- thank you to everyone that made that possible.

I was a volunteer for early February 2013 for 8 days. The Mariposa Foundatio. Took great care of us (the volunteers from Middlebury College) and exposed us to the work they were in the works of setting up, currently doing, and well as how they had grown from the work doen in the previous year. It was an authentic experience in that it was a beautiful mixture of Dominicans and non-Dominicans workin together to improve the lives (yes, quite literally all the factes of life) for young Dominican girls/teens.

I would recommend one to try out the Mariposa Foundation experience to get a taste of the beauty Nd great potential of the Dominican Republic

I have witnessed the dedication and hard work of the Mariposa Foundation volunteers. I believe in what they are doing and highly support their cause. thank you!

A friend of mine is a teacher here and gives regular updates on the Foundation's activities with the girls via her blog. My favorite updates are the ones featuring a girl from a previous year at Mariposa. Reading about their accomplishments big and small really brings home the impact these selfless volunteers have in the community.

I worked with the foundation over the summer and the work they are doing with the girls is truly amazing. The girls are so eager to learn with all the volunteers and it shows that the Mariposas are really making a difference in the community. The program gives the girls an opportunity to fill their lust for knowledge in a way that is very inspiring.

I've been a volunteer with the Mariposa DR Foundation since this Fall semester of 2012. Within the short time I've been here, I can already attest to the impact the organization is having in the lives of the young girls it works with as well as their communities. It is truly a pleasure to work with such a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated group, as the Mariposa staff/volunteers, who are united by a passion and commitment to empowering young girls to take charge of their future. Likewise, its been inspiring to work with the Mariposa girls, who are eager to take advantage of the opportunities the organization has to offer. Through a myriad of activities including field trips, community service, sports and educational classes, the Mariposa DR Foundation helps young girls to grow and develop into agents of change for their community. Undoubtedly, the Mariposa DR Foundation is a force to be reckoned with.

The Mariposa DR Foundation is making powerful impacts as a grass-root, community-run organization that educates and empowers girls to create sustainable solutions to end generational poverty. Girls make up 70 percent of the world’s 125 million out-of-school youth and one in seven girls in the developing world would marry before the age of 15. Studies show that every year of schooling increasing a girl’s future earning power by 10 to 20 percent. Girls who receive an education marry later, have fewer children, and are more likely to seek healthcare for themselves and their children. The positive impact of girls’ education has been shown to transcend generations, resulting in better health outcomes among women, their children, and eventually their grandchildren. And finally younger women are at higher risk of physical or sexual abuse than older ones.
Mariposa DR Foundation mission aligns its goals with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. These goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing the child mortality rate, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, and developing a global partnership for development. Achieving these goals is dependent upon the education and empowerment of women and young girls. As a good friend of a volunteer, I know of the benefits of this organization. I commend you all.

Wow. I have worked with this Foundation for over a year and have watched it endure its growing pains and develop into a stronger more community oriented organization. The staff are dedicated to the girls in this group, striving to encourage and search out opportunities for these girls that would not be accessible otherwise. I have seen these girls develop, mature, and take on more leadership just within the 15 months that I have volunteered. In addition, not only are the girls and the goals of this Foundation great, but they receive a lot of respect from the rest of the Cabarete community. From the moment I arrived I already had an "in' with the community because I was part of this organization. My unique status provided me security, patience, understanding, experiences, and friendships that I would not have had otherwise. Not only does this organization bless its students, women, and the community, it also blesses its volunteers and staff.

The Mariposa Foundation is at the forefront of the growing global effort to educate, support, and empower women and girls to realize their full potential. It not only is acknowledging that girls’ empowerment augments the social, political, and economic stability and depth of societies worldwide, but it is actively taking steps to “unleash” the power of girls to find the strength, confidence, and purpose within themselves. Through art, sports, creative projects, field trips, lectures, service projects, readings, health classes, and focused discussions, the Mariposa Foundation offers girls of the Dominican Republic the opportunity to discover self worth and power, to think critically about the factors that shape their perspectives about women and their identities as women, and to create greater awareness of their rights as women and humans. As a volunteer, I can truly say that through sustained participation with the Mariposa Foundation, the “Mariposas” have an amazing opportunity to become leaders in their future homes, communities, and country.

I have worked for the Mariposa Foundation for the past two years and believe that they are truly addressing the most important demographic in Dominican Republic--adolescent girls. The Mariposa Foundation has worked hard to empower these important members of the community, who many times are overlooked by non-profits and development organizations. Kudos to the Mariposa Foundation for their work in building a stronger community and future for Cabarete. And thank you for letting me join you and experience the work first hand!

I have volunteered for the Mariposa DR Foundation for the past 3 years now, and it has truly been a transformative experience. The organization has provided me not only with a clear understanding of non-profit work, but also of how to make a difference in so many lives. The leaders of the organization are kind, motivated and inspirational women. The girls who take part in the Mariposa programs are spirited, lively and absolutely willing to engage in all types of activities with anyone who is committed to the work. I have worked at the summer camp for the past two summers, and have had the opportunity to watch the organization develop tremendously. The changes I have been privy to just in the past two years are quite remarkable and I am so excited to get to be a part of the continual process of growth. Overall, though, the Mariposa DR Foundation is a revolutionary organization that is deeply tied to the community and as a result highly attuned to the needs of the girls and families it serves. I count myself lucky to be involved in such empowering, inspiring work.

I love Mariposa DR Foundation because, with their help I have been able to participate in many activities. My favorite activity is circus, which I absolutely love! The foundation has inspired me in many ways. The foundation has also taken me to many places that I would have never had a chance to visit without participating. I know that I will go far with their support!

I am a nurse who has been volunteering with the Mariposa Foundation for three years. I have seen it grow from a few committed individuals to a strongly supported organization flourishing in the Cabarete community. My husband, a pediatrician, and I provide annual physicals, vision screenings, and nutritional counseling to the girls. I also teach swimming lessons and surfing, with the hopes of getting more Dominican girls kitesurfing and taking advantage of the water sports that are available in their backyard. Working with these girls is both rewarding and challenging to to me. When a girl switches from being afraid in the ocean to confident and thrilled, it fills my heart with joy.

The Mariposa DR Foundation has helped me with a lot of things. For example, I have learned to kiteboard (my favorite sport!), surf and I love Capoeira class. I also get help with Math and English. My sister is part of the Foundation too and my mom works for them in the summer. Mariposa DR Foundation has helped me study in a private school. My life is better with the Mariposa DR Foundation and I am grateful to them.

I am a child of the Mariposa DR Foundation. The foundation has taught me many things: swimming, surfing and tennis. It has also given me the opportunity to get an education at CADIN, a private high school. With the Mariposa DR Foundation my life has changed for the better.

I am a member of the Advisory Board of the Mariposa DR Foundation and I am very impressed with the magnificent work that is being done in Cabarete. I am a native of Dominican Republic and believe in giving back to my native country. My values align with those of the Mariposa DR Foundation because education is one of the key components of the Foundation's programs and I believe education is the key to success.

The Mariposa DR Foundation is doing a very good job, because the girls in our community are showing a different attitude and prostitution of girls is diminishing. Mariposa is great since the girls have learned to play and learned different activities in different ways. The goal of the Mariposa DR Foundation is to work with poorest girls and help improve the quality of life and education for every girl in our community. It's awesome and very nice what foundation is doing for the community.

Ruth Esther. Por ser una persona que no solo estudio en la organizacion de Patricia sino que tambien soy una de las voluntaria en este projecto que es como mi hogar donde todas las niñas con la que trabajo son como mis hijas por que gracias a la Organizacion de Mariposa Foundation he podido desarrollar mi conocimiento en la enseñanza y compartir mi conocimientos con que mas lo necesitan. Por una mejor Educacion para todas las niñas de la Republica Dominicana y el Mundo.

As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic, I have witnessed the issues and obstacles that young girls and women in the DR face as they develop and mature and try to find their role in society. Many of them never have an opportunity to even play, because they are too busy cooking and cleaning and taking care of their families. As a current member of the board for the Mariposa DR Foundation, I am proud and honored to support Tricia and the Mariposa staff and volunteers. They are offering these girls a safe and nurturing space where they can develop and grow (how we typically think youth/adolescents experience life and learn), which not only empowers them to be creative but also to think more critically. They are learning not only how to take care of themselves but also how to take chances...they are truly learning how to FLY! I highly recommend stopping by the center if you are in the Cabarete area. This is a trustworthy organization that truly invests in these girls and their communities.

I learned about the Mariposa Foundation on my second visit to the Dominican Republic. By chance I met Tricia and Jessica after I read about the foundation in a local publication. Their story about the work they were doing was so compelling that I asked if I could visit the modest building where they hold some of their activities and meet some of their girls. As an lifelong educator and advocate for at risk youth, I was profoundly impacted by the level of the commitment of the staff and the volunteers. It was amazing to me how they did so much with so little! I was so impressed by the work being done by the Mariposa Foundation that I when I returned to my home town I repeatedly told my friends, family, and anyone who would listen about the foundation. I also encouraged them to donate money and to send supplies. I am always thrilled to hear about the work of the Mariposa Foundation because it reinforces to me what is possible through passion, hard work, and courage. They are building a model that can be replicated in other countries where they realize that educating and developing girls and young women has a direct and positive impact on the entire community.

The mariposa DR foundation is an excellent example of providing a positivie environment for young girls to build their confidence and self-esteem. The team is increadibly devoted to the kids. I have enjoyed hearing how the girls have grown from year to year and value the work the foundation and know that the money is well spent.

As the father of a volunteer I have first hand knowledge of the benefits of my donation. My daughter volunteered for the first time during the summer of 2009 to act as a summer camp leader. She returned the following summer and decided that she would like to spend the year. When I learned of her desire I know I needed to check the foundation out. My family visited Aug of 2011 and saw firsthand the dedication and benefits of the foundation and the programs provided to the young ladies. The funds that my wife and I provide are all put to good use and well spent.

The Mariposa DR Foundation is a great example of what can happen when an inspired, dedicated and committed group of individuals dedicate themselves to lifting young girls - and consequently entire communities - out of poverty by simply investing in their health, education, well-being and overall positive development. During my time with Mariposa, I gained valuable insight into both the short-term as well as long-term vision for these girls and their communities and was incredibly impressed by the dedication of every single staff member - both local and international - in their relentless efforts. The multi-pronged approach of addressing an issue through multiple perspectives is what is critically needed in order to make sure that the entire community is ready, willing and able to support these girls in their transitions from adolescence to adulthood, and it is encouraging to find this philosophy embedded in the programming and planning of the Mariposa DR Foundation's activities. By being able to work not just with the girls but also with their families and with other community members, I was able to really get to the crux of many problems, and along with other volunteers and staff adequately address the needs of the girls as well as empower them to make healthier decisions and choices. This is a great community-based model for girls empowerment and one that really encourages the girls to develop themselves as leaders as part of the program.

The work that Mariposa DR Foundation does just makes sense. Working with young girls to end generational poverty and creating sustainable change in our community really does work. The positive changes in these girls and their families lives are proof of the Foundation's incredible impact in our community. Young girls in poverty are finally able to experience all that our community has to offer; kiting, theatre, surfing, kayaking, sports, and access to better education and health programs, etc... It is impressive to see how much the Foundation has done in such a short time.

I volunteered for the Mariposa DR Foundation this past summer as the leader of the sports group. When I signed up for this experience I had no idea what to expect. I had never met anyone else that would be down there, I didn't speak Spanish, and I was going to be put in charge of 18 girls in a community I had never been in. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. With that said, this summer was easily the most memorable and transforming experience I've ever had! I was welcomed into a community of amazing women with open arms and had the incredible experience of developing bonds that surpassed language barriers. Seeing the difference that the Mariposa DR Foundation is making in the lives of so many adolescent girls was phenomenal. This organization is providing the girls with so many opportunities that they would never have received otherwise. On top of that, being a Mariposa gives the girls a support network and a safe place to grow and learn. Leaving the girls and the staff at the end of the summer was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but I know that I'll be back with them next summer!

This summer, I volunteered for Mariposa in their Summer Leadership Program. I led the theatre group and worked with a group of 11 girls to create a piece of theatre about their lives. Throughout the summer, my sister and I recorded our day-to-day experiences on a blog, http://www.emotionalcreaturesdr.blogspot.com . However, to summarize, I had the most amazing experience working with the girls and the other Mariposa leaders. I have never felt such inspiration, such talent, and such power from a group of people. The fact that we were all women made it so much more special. I am still in touch with all of my girls, as well as some of the other volunteers and Mariposa staff members. This organization is based on a special legacy, that of the Mirabal sisters, and the symbol of the butterfly is incredibly powerful. The experiences I had with Mariposa are unforgettable, and the women I worked with continue to inspire me today. I will most definitely be returning. Once a Mariposa, always a Mariposa.

I have volunteered for the Mariposa Foundation for the past two summers. The girls are extremely motivated to learn. Their dedication to the program is inspiring. I truly felt that my energy and resources were valued. I already miss my Mariposas and their madres.

Meeting and working with the directors of the Mariposa DR Foundation this summer and seeing all the wonderful things they do for the girls in their community was an eye-opening and life changing experience. As a teenage girl myself, I have already learned how these years of my life are so influential on how I will spend the rest of it, and believe that the work the foundation is doing is so wonderful because they are giving girls the tools to improve their own lives and the lives of people in their community. This experience has already impacted my future by inspiring me to want to do the same wonderful work that the Mariposa DR Foundation does.

I've been volunteering for the Mariposa DR Foundation for the last 5 months and have had a great experience thus far. I was welcomed into the Mariposa family shortly after I arrived to the DR and saw right away the importance of their presence in the community. Providing support and educational and leadership programs for girls living in poverty is so important. Many, if not most of the Mariposa girls barely attend school (3 hours a day if they're lucky) or go outside of their neighborhoods. As someone who has worked in nonprofits for a few years, I'm impressed that such a young organization can provide so many resources and support to so many people. I plan on continuing my volunteerism at Mariposa for the next year and look forward to the growth of the organization.

I've been volunteering with Las Mariposas for the past six months in field and behind the scenes. Exposing these girls to treasures in the world around them, granting them opportunities they would not otherwise have, and watching over their health and education are but a few creative ways to improve living conditions of some of the poorest community members in Cabarete. You can feel the energy the girls bring to the group, and their excitement to soak it all up.

I worked with the Mariposa DR Foundation during the month of October 2010 and have returned to work with them again in January/February 2011. The time I spent working with this organization in October was life-changing, so much so that I was compelled to return. I would recommend volunteering or donating to this foundation to everyone, the work they do is so crucial to so many lives in Cabarete.

I worked with The Mariposa DR Foundation in the summer of 2010 as a literacy instructor for the summer girls' leadership program. It was an amazing experience and Cabarete is an amazing place. The directors live and work in this small Caribbean town, and they are dedicated to finding sustainable, long-lasting solutions to the issues that its residents face. I was honored to participate in the inaugural year of the girls' leadership program and see the birth and growth of this grass-roots organization. The concept is powerful: that empowering young women is one of the most effective ways to create real and lasting change in a community. I cannot wait to hear more from this organization and return in the future to see their work in progress.

The Mariposa DR Foundation really gives the young women an all around support system, empowering them to become leaders in their communities. It is amazing to see how the Foundation can bring together all types of people from Cabarete to work together to empower and educate young women. Volunteering for the Mariposas is always fun and inspirational. I learn just as much from the young women and the staff and they do from me!