By Jessica Lawson | Co-Founder
Dear Friends,
We began our swimming program over 5 years ago with intensive swim lessons for the “Nautical Nine,” nine girls who learned to swim in one summer. Since we opened the Mariposa Center for Girls, and have our very own pool, more than 300 local girls have learned how to swim. The Mariposa girls are making some serious waves in the Cabarete community. Girls that once stood on the beach, terrified of the water are now surfing, kite surfing, kayaking and more. More and more girls look forward to swimming classes as the highlight of their day.
In our beach town of Cabarete, swimming is not just a recreational skill, it is a matter of safety. One of our girls was able to save her younger sister from drowning with the water safety skills she learned in our program. Her younger sister has since become a strong swimmer learning at the Mariposa center.
Swimming for the Mariposa girls is about safety, but it is also about empowerment. Swimming allows them to participate in community activities and be proud of where they come from. The pool at the Mariposa Center for Girls is in the very center of our space and in some ways, the heart of our center. Not only do our girls learn to swim, but it provides a tranquil, peaceful environment to learn. Our girls love their pool so much that they find creative ways to incorporate it into other activities, such as theater. They recently created a synchronized swimming routine as part of a theatrical event for our annual Christmas celebration.
Our girls are swimming their way to success and we could not do any of this without your support. Thank you for your support in keeping our Mariposa girls swimming!
With gratitude,
The girls, families, staff and volunteers at The Mariposa Center for Girls
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