Empower Under-Resourced Girls in Costa Rica

Hi Soy Niña friends!

We are pleased to introduce you to Andrea Marín. Andrea is the inaugural facilitator for our IV Ciclo program. She began working with our older girls in March. Andrea holds a counseling degree from the University of Costa Rica and has experience working with youth, particularly young women and teenagers in correctional facilities.

This club is taking place once every two Saturdays, serving as a space for older girls from all three communities to come together. Distinguished from our other clubs, which typically have 15-20 girls, this particular club has 25 participants who engage in three-hour sessions.

Since late February, Andrea has been leading this group along with committed volunteers, focusing on themes such as personal identity, envisioning the future, and developing strategies for planning ahead. The girls are really enjoying exploring aspirations for adulthood. They have also had special sessions on personal defense and a theater visit.

Before last year, our oldest girls were in 9th grade. We launched this club for girls who were going to be in 10th grade this year. This means that we are now officially offering programming for all ages. In the coming years, we are hoping that girls that begin in our program in 1st grade can remain for a total of 12 years, ending our programming in 12th grade when they finish high school. That is why is so important that we focus on enrolling girls who are willing to commit long-term to the program.

One of the things Andrea has told us recently is that the girls are looking forward to their journey becoming adults.