Gender Equality Dominican Republic Project #11863

Mariposa Center For Girls

by The Mariposa DR Foundation

Project Report | Jan 30, 2026
Empowerment Through Dance

By Antarah Chopra | Project Contributor

Mariposa girl taking center stage

At the Mariposa Center for Girls, creativity and self-expression are at the heart of empowerment programs for girls of all ages. From bachata and merengue to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and the girls’ own routines, dance fills our classrooms with music, movement, and laughter. These moments of joy help girls feel confident in their bodies and proud of who they are.

Dance classes create a safe and uplifting space where girls can express themselves freely, build self-esteem, and support one another. Whether learning ballet, hip-hop, tango, or Latin American rhythms, each girl is encouraged to try something new and step outside her comfort zone.

Global Studies lessons come alive through dance each year. Last year, students explored African dance traditions, and this year they are learning Latin American styles such as Baile Folklórico from Mexico. These experiences help girls connect with cultures from around the world while celebrating their own identities.

One of the most meaningful moments of the year is the annual ballet performance in February. Standing on stage in front of their families and community, the girls shine with confidence and pride as they share what they have learned. For many, it is their first time performing, and it becomes a powerful reminder of their courage and growth.

Through dance, Mariposa girls are not only learning steps, they are discovering their voices, building confidence, and finding joy in self-expression. Every class is a celebration of movement, resilience, and the bright futures they are creating together.

Your support allows Mariposa girls to learn, grow, and express themselves through movement and creativity. Thank you for helping bring joy and confidence into their lives.

Ballet class with the Maripositas

Mariposa girls creating their own dance routines

Ballet teacher and Mariposa girl in class

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Oct 7, 2025
Why a safe space for girls matters

By Jessica Lawson | Co-Founder

Let’s spend a day in the life of a Mariposa girl, Maria.

Maria sleeps on a mat on the floor with her sister. Their small home is unbearably hot. The thought of cool air and a comfortable bed with pillows is unfathomable to her. It’s hard to sleep, she eventually nods off from pure exhaustion and is awakened early in the morning by the sound of motorcycles and construction. She makes her way behind the house to the small outhouse that is shared between seven families. There’s no running water, so she uses a bit of collected rain water to wash up.

She proudly gets dressed in her Mariposa t-shirt and walks to the bus stop. On the way, she’s cat-called, workers and other men make gestures at her and she’s scared. Her head bowed down so as to not attract attention, she reaches the bus stop and the Mariposa bus picks her up. As soon as she sits down, an immediate wave of relief washes over her. She’s safe.

She arrives at the Mariposa campus, enjoys a healthy breakfast while connecting with her friends and mentors, does a morning yoga, swimming lessons, coding class, reading, gardening and enjoys a filling lunch and plenty of clean water. She also has time to take a warm shower in the locker room and do her hair before she boards the bus to private school.

Maria dreams of becoming a doctor when she grows up, and in her heart of hearts, she knows that she can, because at Mariposa, she’s met and talked with doctors that look just like her. In fact, she’s excited about meeting the doctor that’s coming next week, a Mariposa graduate!

The Mariposa Center for Girls is the largest safe space for girls in all of Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a beautiful sanctuary where girls can leave the outside world behind and be completely free to come learn, grow and play. You are a huge part of helping run this special place day to day, changing the lives of girls like Maria.

We thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

The Mariposas

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Jun 9, 2025
The Annual Mariposa Math and Sports Olympics Games

By Antarah Chopra | Executive Assistant

What you might not know is that the Mariposa Center for Girls is also home to the annual Mariposa Math and Sports Olympics—a wonderful celebration of girls in sports, moving their bodies, working in teams, and participating in a variety of carefully created experiential learning programs. Thanks to your generous support, we launched our first annual Games in March 2023, in partnership with student volunteers from Lawrence Academy, who’ve been visiting Mariposa each spring since 2009.

Over the course of a few weeks, the girls competed in basketball, swimming, track and field, gymnastics, and more. In fact, many Mariposa girls learned about the Olympic Games for the very first time while participating. Last March, we even welcomed five-time Olympic windsurfer Mike Gebhart, who inspired the girls by sharing his story and medals. These athletic opportunities are rare for girls in our region and provide more than just fun—they build confidence, teamwork, and mental wellness.

This year, in tandem with the sports events, we introduced the Mariposa Math Olympics, turning academics into a spirited, empowering challenge. Girls across all grade levels participated and were celebrated for their skills and growth—proving that their minds and bodies are equally powerful. From the pool to the garden, math problems were solved all around the center for a week of fun and experiential learning games.

We are proud to share that over 150 Mariposa girls participated in the Math and Sports Olympics and that this event has become a new annual tradition. From all of us at Mariposa, thank you for helping us turn bold ideas into life-changing experiences. You are raising the next generation of strong, smart, and unstoppable young women.

Opening ceremony with Lawrence Academy

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