and read Mabreidy`s story here

MABREIDY
CREATED BY
MABREIDY MARTINEZ
AND
LYDIA HOLDEN
ILLUSTRATED BY
MILAN DELVECCHIO
DESIGNED BY
DANIEL HAWKINS
EDITED BY
MEGAN SHANK
INTRODUCTION
This graphic novella was made with
Mabreidy Martinez at the Mariposa DR
Foundation summer camp in July 2012
when she was 16 years old. As a frustrated
and often angry adolescent, Mabreidy had
boundless energy, but nowhere to channel
it. Luckily, Mabreidy was introduced to the
programs at the Mariposa DR Foundation
and learned how to gain better control of
her emotions through sports. Her innate
talent for swimming soon became apparent to Mariposa staff, who helped send
Mabreidy on a journey of self-discovery
and growing independence.
The Mariposa DR Foundation was founded
by a group of caring volunteers in 2009 to
address the urgent need for communitybased solutions for girls in the worldrenowned kitesurfing town of Cabarete,
Dominican Republic. Through multiple
year-round programs and a four-week
summer camp, which are now all held
at the new Mariposa Center for Girls, the
Mariposa DR Foundation strives to educate
and empower girls to create sustainable
solutions to end generational poverty.
Using a gender-based, holistic approach
to tackle development issues, the
Mariposa DR Foundation works to ensure
a safe passage for girls from adolescence
to adulthood by focusing on experiential
learning, academic enrichment, sports
programs, health and wellness, community engagement, summer programs and
international awareness.
This is the beautiful side of Cabarete where tourists from
all over the world come to kitesurf and relax on the beach.
Mabreidy’s story is part of the Grassroots
Girls Book Club graphic novella series that
depict the true stories of six incredible
girls. Each girl co-authored her own story
and one of six unique, emerging female
artists illustrated her words. These graphic
novellas aim to show that positive change
is happening for girls, and to also raise
awareness for the many girls who still need
urgent support from organizations like
the Mariposa DR Foundation. Mabreidy’s
hope is that her story will inspire you to
discuss the issues facing girls globally and
learn more about the grassroots organizations that are changing girls’ lives for the
better. At the end of this graphic novella
is a discussion guide to dig deeper into
the issues Mabreidy faced, followed by a
glossary with local language translations
and explanations of important terms and
concepts. Explore how you can take action
with your friends and classmates online at
grassrootsgirls.tumblr.com to help make
the world better for girls everywhere.
This is the rundown local side of town.
The Mariposa DR Foundation is supported through the Grassroots Girls Initiative by The Global Fund for Children (GFC). GFC finds
and invests in grassroots organizations that enable the most vulnerable children in their communities to thrive. GFC’s strategic
support helps grassroots organizations achieve their vision, become sustainable and reach even more children in need. Since 1997,
GFC has reached 8 million children worldwide.
The Grassroots Girls Initiative is a partnership of six funders that believe grassroots organizations are uniquely qualified to create
and implement effective, organic solutions for the most underserved girls in the communities where they work. Grassroots Girls
Initiative partners are: American Jewish World Service, EMpower—the Emerging Markets Foundation, Firelight Foundation, Mama
Cash, The Global Fund for Children and the Global Fund for Women.
4
5
DON’T Go Out again.
Stay home today!
YOU don’t
tell ME what
to do!
Don’t Fight!
CALMATÉ (calm
Down)!
PAPI! Not in
the house.
Please,
Don’t Fight.
STOP PAPI!
We need you
here with us.
My Papi and Mami were destroying their lives with drinking and
fighting. We didn’t know when they would explode or when it was
safe to come home. We couldn’t trust our parents.
I’m scared,
Mabreidy!
Me too,
Naomi.
6
Don’t worry
sisters, I’ll keep
you safe… I hope.
7
The fancy hotel jobs are tough to get. The small jobs our parents can find, like driving MOTOCONCHOS (motorcycle taxis)
to take tourists around town, aren’t enough to support us kids. With no money, we all feel hopeless.
Cabarete can look like heaven on earth. People come from all over the world for our beaches and for our world-famous
kitesurfing waves. The tourists are crazy for kitesurfing. Most Dominicans don’t even swim though. But tourism can be
good for the community. It provides some hotel and restaurant jobs. Still, there’s not enough work to go around.
8
Because there are not enough jobs, some men turn to drinking. Others start selling drugs to tourists. Because GRINGOS
(foreigners) come here to party and have fun, there is a demand for it. Now we have local TIGUERES, the guys in gangs, who sell
the drugs to foreigners. The gringos may think it’s just all fun, but the drug trade has created dangerous areas in Cabarete.
9
NO PAPI! Leave her alone.
Someone help! AYUDA (help)!
MABREIDY!!!
AH! Is it EL CUCO (bogeyman)?
No HERMANA
( sister). Just Papi
finally coming
home.
Nothing Papi,
just come in, sit
down. CENA (dinner)
is almost ready.
WHAT’S going on in here?
CÁLMATE
(calm down)
man!
Don’t fight!
¡POR FAVOR
(Please), don’t
start a fight!
Stay
outside
until you
sober up!
GET OVER HERE!
Sorry Papi.
Don’t be angry.
Oh, M’IJA
(my daughter)! I’m so
sorry. Oh my little girl!
We can’t keep living this
life. It’s not safe for us
here anymore.
Who said YOU
could speak?
Papi apologized to me, but when men are drunk they don’t think about
what they are doing. They don’t hear anything. So Mami kicked Papi out.
10
11
Another nightmare
Mabreidy?
Yes, HERMANO
(brother). I thought Papi was
back and mad at me.
Every night my life was a big nightmare.
Naomi and I were always scared. Even if Papi
didn’t come home drunk anymore, we couldn’t
forget all the nights he had.
You promised
you would never
drink again. Are
you keeping that
promise?
It will be a new life in
Santiago. You’ll see. We’ll find
a TRANQUILO (calm) place, and
it will be better.
Mami had given my Papi too many chances. She said she’d had it.
Mami met an American man who wanted us to come live with him
in the capital city Santiago, so we packed our bags. My brother
didn’t want to go, so he packed up and left on his own.
On the GUAGUA (public bus), I cried. I felt so
sad to leave my Papi. Despite his drinking and
the dark times, he was still my father.
M’ija,
I am very
happy to see
you! It’s been
too long. Are
you happy to be
home? Did you
miss me?
SI , there is no
more drinking.
I’ve been going to
church and have
learned better
ways. You and the
children will be
safe with me.
Yes, Papi.
Goodbye
girls! Be
good for
Mami.
One for
my honeybee,
and one for my
chocolate.
life in Santiago with the gringo was tranquilo.
But Papi kept writing to Mami telling her that
he had stopped drinking and was working hard
to be a good man for us. I still didn’t know if I
could trust him, though.
After some nice years the American returned to his home in
the States. Without him, Mami couldn’t pay the rent. Papi still
wanted us to come back to him in Cabarete, so even though we
didn’t know if he had really changed we returned home.
Papi did what he could to make us happy, but I still felt
nervous around him. Trust is a difficult thing to find again
once you’ve lost it.
It was good to be home, but it was hard to make
friends all over again. Teenage girls can be so mean.
No one understands me! I’m
all alone on this stupid island.
But Mami, they are teasing me and
shutting me out! I feel so lonely.
Oh m’ija. I know it’s hard to
make friends at a new school, but
you just need to give it time.
My family!
Welcome home!
Mabreidy, you’ve
grown so tall in
just three years!
I missed you all.
But those girls are rubbing me the wrong way!
12
13
Another day and
nobody will talk to
me. Maybe I can hide in
the classroom until
class starts…
Hi, is
anything
wrong?
No, nothing. I’m just
studying. Are you new?
Yeah, my family just
moved back. My name is
Mabreidy. What’s yours?
Hey chicas! What are you doing all day?
I
haven’t
seen
Alma in
school.
What’s
she up
to?
Same as
yesterday:
nothing! Come
talk with us.
Ever since her
dad left, she’s been
going up and down the
beach looking for
GRINGOS .
I’m Melissa.
I think I’ve seen
you around in the
neighborhood. Want
to hang out after
school?
Yeah, I saw her
smoking you-knowwhat with some
GRINGOS.
I don’t want
my future to be
controlled by some
man, American or
Dominican.
I think there are more
GRINGOS here now than
before I left..
Yeah, well Cabarete is nice for them. They
stay at the fancy hotels, lie on the beach and
go in the ocean. A tranquilo life for sure.
Poor Alma, there’s
no respect for us here.
Every day there are more
chicas out there prostituting
themselves, looking for
gringos to take them out
of this life.
Staying in the nice hotels sounds ok, but I’m
scared of the water! When I was little I fell in the
ocean and almost drowned. Now I stay away.
Melissa and I became best friends and she introduced me to some other girls. I was happy
to make friends, but my life still felt so hard. Inside I did not feel good about myself.
They live their life. We live ours.
My mom always
tells me not to
trust men.
Ha! My mom just tells me to learn
about keeping house so my future
husband won’t get
angry and hit me or
treat me bad.
Ay, what
a life us
Dominican
girls have!
Well CHICA (girl),
those water sports are
just for gringos. I never
see any of them cross the
main street to our side.
14
15
The Dominican Republic government only spends 2.3
percent of their GDP on schools. That puts them
at 120 of 132 countries for educational spending.
Some get pregnant. Some contract
STDs, including HIV. All before they
are even 18 years old.
With such poor education
quality, many girls drop
out. And even if they
graduate, their education
doesn’t always prepare
them for the workforce.
Even if girls don’t fall into the terrible world
of sex tourism, many face domestic violence in
their homes. In the Dominican Republic, people
say: “NADIE SE METE ENTRE PROBLEMAS
DE MARIDO Y MUJER.” (“Nobody messes with
husband and wife problems.”)
Tourism may create good jobs for some, but it also comes
with a sinister side: UNDERAGE SEX TOURISM.
The United Nations Human Rights Council reported that,
“child sex tourism is a problem, particularly in coastal resort
areas of the Dominican Republic (like Cabarete), with child sex
tourists arriving year-round from the U.S. and Canada.”
I am scared that one day I
will have a boyfriend or husband
who hurts me. It’s so common here.
It’s hard to trust and depend on any
man, even Papi. All I want is to be
independent, but I feel helpless…
and that makes me angry.
The tourists who go after Dominican
girls often give them alcohol and
drugs. Girls get their heads turned
around, start making bad decisions
and go down a dangerous path.
In the face of crushing poverty and limited
opportunities, many girls think they have
no choice but to go with these men. Some
families even encourage their girls to
pursue the sex trade so they can contribute
to basic necessities, like groceries.
16
17
I’m so excited we get to see our
cousins in San Juan! Did you get everything
packed? Papi will be here soon.
¡HOLA (hello)
Kathy! Take a break
from your laundry and
come talk to me.
Ok neighbor, I’ll
be right over!
AY DIOS MIO (oh my
God). Now that Mabreidy
is getting older I am worried
about all this stuff happening
with the GRINGOS .
Yesterday I saw an old
friend of Mabreidy’s in the
street. She was with foreign
men and looked high on drugs.
I know she is prostituting for
money. She is only 16!
Everyone is worried
about it. But what can
we do? The GRINGOS have
money. The girls do not.
The attraction is clear.
Si! I’m ready to go. Let’s wait outside.
I’m sorry girls, but
the car broke down.
We can’t go now.
As if that wasn’t
enough to worry
about, there are also all
these young girls getting
pregnant by local boys.
It’s all ‘I love you, I love
you,’ until the girl gets
in trouble and then the
boy is gone!
Ay, such a shame! I want
Mabreidy to have a different future,
and I’m afraid these girls will influence
her. But how can I help her? Already she
is turning away from me. She’s always
angry with her Papi and me, yelling and
sulking all day.
18
I was so mad I cried and cried! I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I went to my room and didn’t
come out for a whole day. I didn’t eat. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t want anyone to bother
me. I was so tired of just staying in the house, doing nothing, being lectured about all the
bad influences out in the street. I just wanted to do something different for one day!
19
Those
girls are really
getting under my
skin! They are always
whispering some
nonsense lies
about me.
They are so mean.
Just ignore them.
Mabreidy, you need something to do. All you do is
hang around the house and act grumpy. You need to
channel your energy into something productive.
One of the girls was
telling me about a Michael
Jackson dance class. I’d like
to learn dancing. Naomi
could come with me.
None
of your
business,
CHICA .
Mabreidy, Mami told
me about this Michael
Jackson dance class. But
he dances like Satan. The
church is against it, so we
must be too.
Ok, m’ija. Let
me ask Papi.
Yeah,
just
get out
of here.
Nobody’s
talking
to you.
What are you saying?
Are you saying something
about me? Shut up!
But Papi, Naomi and I
really want to go!
I said
no, now
that’s the
end of it.
I did not feel at peace with anything or anyone. I was mad all the
time. I did not want to be bothered. I’d wake up with a frown. My
Papi said if I stayed this way I would explode.
20
21
Do you want to
go for a walk or
something?
I can’t. Papi got
really mad when he
found out I was fighting
at school again.
Yeah, I saw that you
really scratched that girl
up. What’s wrong? Why are
you getting so angry?
I don’t know. I guess I just feel stuck. Our house
is falling down. We can’t leave any food out or
the mice and cockroaches have a fiesta.
And I don’t get any
support to try anything
new. It’s always “shut up
Mabreidy,” “no Mabreidy,”
“be quiet Mabreidy.”
I feel you,
CHICA . I dream
about how to escape this
place, too. Like wouldn’t
it be great to be an airline
stewardess? Fly all over
the world, see new things.
But how can we do that?
You have to know English.
You have to have a better
education than what we
get here.
HOLA, welcome! Thank you for
coming. The Mariposa DR Foundation
summer camp is the only one in
Cabarete just for girls.
We want to give girls the
support they need, but
lack in this community.
Ok, Mabreidy.
Kathy told me all about
this program they have for
girls yesterday while we were
hanging laundry. It’s called the
Mariposa DR Foundation. You
always say you have nothing to
do. Let’s see what activities
they offer.
Yeah, ok
Mami.
Jessica, Mariposa co-director
During
the four-week
program, girls learn
English, play sports,
put on plays and go on
field trips. And during
the school year we have
programs every day
of the week.
We hope these activities will teach girls leadership
qualities and skills to put them solidly on the right path.
We want Cabarete’s girls to be leaders!
Mabreidy, I have
a surprise for you!
Come with me.
Now I want to
talk a little bit
about our approach.
The Mariposa DR
Foundation is focused
on transforming the
lives of girls AND
their families.
We see this approach as a way
out of poverty. We take time to develop
relationships with not only the girls who come
here, but also their families. If a girl is having
a problem we want to work with her parents
to solve that problem. Together we can keep
girls in school, encourage her to attend the
Mariposa tutoring and sports activities and
give her a chance at success.
Ay… I just need one opportunity,
any opportunity, and I’ll go after it
MUY FUERTE (very Hard).
22
23
Now I have
a question for
the girls: Do you
know why we call
our foundation
“MARIPOSA”
(butterfly)?
Mami signed me up
right away. She said
this is my opportunity
to make a change.
It looks
like some of
you know!
Um...
MARIPOSA is the nickname for the
Mirabal sisters, Dominican heroines. They
stood up for freedom and the people during
Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship.
All right, CHICAS .
Today we’re going to start
Bollywood dancing. This dance
comes all the way from India.
Let’s move!
Before we do
another run
through of our
play, we need to
take some promo
pictures for the
posters we’ll put
up in town.
Ay, I can’t believe we’re inviting the
whole town to come stare at us!
gs
Thin
d
oul
Iw
my
to
say
r
the
mo
This is great for
your confidence!
SI!
No matter how many times they were jailed,
the sisters refused to give up on their fight for our
island. We want all girls in Cabarete to have this same
free spirit and capacity for leadership. So are you all
ready to become Mariposas?
From the first day we were having fun and learning all sorts of
new things. I started making lots of friends and was finally smiling!
24
25
I know a lot of you
don’t have experience
swimming, so we’ll take
it easy. Once you get the
hang of it, you’ll love
going into Cabarete’s
amazing ocean!
I can’t do this,
Mabreidy! I know I am
going to drown. Swimming
isn’t for me. You go.
No way!
You have
to come
too.
Just remember:
Be TRANQUILO in the
water and always show the
ocean RESPETO .
You’re really awesome
with all the sports. I’m
happier in theater class.
This is crazy!
I was scared
enough getting into
the water. This gringo
is LOCO (crazy) if he
thinks I’m climbing
up there!
Mariposa hasn’t
led us wrong yet.
We should spread
our wings.
I actually think I like all this
active stuff. We can be like real
MARIPOSAS flying high above.
Maybe this isn’t so
bad. It’s kind of fun.
You’re getting so
brave, Mabreidy! I
don’t want to let go
of the wall… yet.
Now kick, that’s
it! Kick some more.
Have fun with it!
On the count of three, start
your drills with the ball. You girls
need to use all that energy you
have! One, two, three…
Every day we are learning something new, going on
field trips and gaining self-esteem. We’re learning
how not to damage ourselves with drugs and alcohol
and that life is more than a struggle.
26
We have more options than turning to prostitution and going
with men who beat and hurt us. We have more confidence and
know that we can have careers instead of just going along
the same bad path. We are proud to be Mariposas!
27
Mami, I’m almost done
with the beans. What else
can I help you with?
I am so happy you told us about the
Mariposas, Kathy! It’s been so great to go to
the camp and see Mabreidy dance and learn and
become so empowered!
It’s really a big
change for all of
us. Before there was
nothing for our girls
but marriage.
Ay. Now I have dreams that
my daughters can have the power
to take control of their own lives.
Maybe even university! I never had
an opportunity to go.
Heehee, yes Mami. I’m
happy every day going to
summer camp. I like all the
sports. Before I didn’t think
girls could do these things like
boys, but now I know I have the
strength. The counselors tell us
that in life if you say you can’t
do it you won’t, but if you say
you can you will.
M’ija, you’re being so
helpful! No more storms
following you around.
¡QUE
BUENO
(that’s Good)!
You’ve learned
so much. Maybe
I should see
what I can do
there.
We were too busy making babies! Now look at us, old before our time.
I told you it was
worth it to volunteer for
them! Jessica, Mariposa’s
co-director, said that if we
continue to support the
programs they will help us
fix up our homes.
YOU’RE going
to come to summer
camp?!? Like as a
camper?
No, my silly girl!
Kathy just started
volunteering there, so I
think I can too. I’ll bring
Naomi with me so she can
see how great her big
sister is doing.
Did I tell you that Mariposa is paying
for the school fees and uniforms for the
girls when school starts in the fall?
These girls are getting a great opportunity. But
I think the community knows that there is less
here and it can be more dangerous for girls.
That’s it
girls!
That danger
doesn’t go away
though.
AY DIOS MIO! What
a dream come true to
fix up this old falling down
place. They have kept their
promise to work with the girls
and their families. Even the
men are starting to come
around and support the
Mariposas.
Here you go girls.
Make sure to get
enough to eat.
28
No, but if
Mariposa goes
away the girls will
drown without any
opportunity.
29
Ok, Mabreidy
let’s get you to
your swim class.
Swim harder Mabreidy!
You’re winning the race!
Did you see me swimming?
Mabreidy, that was awesome! You’re
the best Mariposa swimmer now.
¡GRACIAS
Jessica!
How are
you feeling
about being a
Mariposa?
You really have potential as a
swimmer, so Mariposa wants to
pay for swimming lessons in the
next town
during the
school year.
I think I’ve
changed a lot. I
feel more agreeable
now and the girls
tell me I am funny. I
don’t want to fight
anymore!
Um, I was reading the paper.
Papi, look!
SI! But how will
I get there? I don’t
want to take the public
bus by myself. I don’t
feel safe.
You excel when your
energy is channeled into
athletics. We don’t want
to lose that even though
summer camp is ending.
We thought of that already! Your dad
is a MOTOCONCHO driver, right?
Yeah, but
he’ll tell me
he needs to be
giving rides to the
tourists, not to
me, so he can
make money.
We will pay your dad to
take you. Then he can stay
and watch how great you’ve
become at swimming.
GO MABREIDY, GO!
¡QUE BUENO!
At first Papi didn’t pay
attention…
30
but then he really got into my lessons!
31
Are you ready for the big race Mabreidy?
Ready?
She’s faster
than a fish!
Swimmers on your marks… GO!
How are
the swimming
lessons going?
Good.
I’m ready! And nervous…and excited.
Good? They are going
GREAT . Mabreidy you are a
female warrior in the water!
Papi’s
proud
of me!
You’ll do great m’ija!
You seem so happy
these days m’ija.
Si Mami. I don’t feel
aggravated anymore and realize
I can’t hold everything inside.
Being a Mariposa has
given me so much that I
can’t even describe it. But
Mami, you are my role model.
I see you helping the other
Mariposa girls learn to read
and write, and hula hoop!
You make ME proud.
¡SI, MABREIDY! ¡BIEN
HECHO (well Done)!
Papi can’t stop
talking about how
proud he is of you
to his friends. He now
sees all your potential
coming to the surface.
He sees how Mariposa
helped you.
YEAH!
32
33
Mabreidy that was amazing!
Mariposa is so impressed with your
progress. We’ve been thinking that
you might want to try something
new: KITESURFING!
But she
doesn’t have any
equipment.
Kitesurfing? That’s for
the GRINGOS . Dominican
girls don’t kitesurf.
You would be the first girl
from Cabarete to learn. Are you
up to being a water sports pioneer
for all the other girls?
We already asked
one of the kitesurfing
schools to coach Mabreidy for
free. They will let her use their
equipment. And there could be
some great benefits for Mabreidy,
like cash prizes or sponsorship
opportunities. This could
be Mabreidy’s
path out of
poverty.
What can
she get out
of this kite
surfing?
The first day I was so scared. My heart balked and
I thought I can’t. But my feet carried me forward.
Great to
have you with
us, Mabreidy!
We’re so happy
to finally see a
Dominican girl give
kitesurfing a try.
First you need to
carry the board
and the sail over
to an empty place
on the sand to
get set up.
So I should take this big
kite… and then… what?
I thought they were going to leave me to
figure it out alone. I was so nervous!
Laurel Eastman, Mabreidy’s kitesurfing coach
So what do you think?
Ok, make sure you lay the
entire kite flat. Proper set
up is very important.
Ok, like this?
If it could mean a new house
for my family then I say YES !
But Laurel did help me and was patient with me. I wasn’t alone.
34
35
I fell so many times when I was learning, but I didn’t care!
Sometimes boys would laugh, but I knew the Mariposas were
supporting me, so I had confidence I could do it.
K
U
ITES
COMPETIT
ION
RFING
TODAY
If she can do it,
maybe I can too.
Look at that girl
out there. she’s
DOMINICAN !
That’s our girl!
GO MABREIDY!
Wow, I didn’t know any Dominican
girls knew how to do that!
Laurel took it slow and taught me everything I needed
to know to gain confidence. I learned how to set up
the kite, how to get it up in the air, how to control
the board and how to bring it back to the beach.
YEAH MABREIDY!
MARIPOSA POWER!
Stay calm and
focused. Be the best
kitesurfer you can be.
Fly like a MARIPOSA!
That’s it Mabreidy! Get
back up and get out there!
I won my own kitesurfing
equipment that day!
So many
kitesurfers and
my daughter is the
only Dominican girl!
Look at her go!
Now I feel so happy when I am on the ocean. I didn’t know I would
have this dream. Now I understand that I can control myself and my
emotions on and off the water.
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Kiting isn’t just
for gringos and boys
anymore. The Mariposas
are taking over!
You are a MUY FUERTE
water warrior, m’jia!
YEAH!
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READ, DISCUSS, ACT
This is Mabreidy’s story, but there are other girls from many different countries also
facing these challenges and seeking solutions. Grab some friends, get your school and
after-school clubs interested and visit www.grassrootsgirls.tumblr.com to learn about,
discuss and get involved in the issues below. After reading Mabreidy’s story we hope
you’re feeling inspired and fired up to take action for girls everywhere!
WHY WE LOVE
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS
CONSIDER: Marginalized by cultural practices, poverty and discrimination, girls are
often outside the reach of larger development projects led by governments and international aid agencies. Grassroots organizations are smaller and created by members
of the community to address specific
problems. Grassroots organizations are
familiar with local language, culture and
the challenges that shape girls’ lives, which
makes them uniquely equipped to address
girls’ urgent needs and create effective
solutions. They also stay put, and offer girls
support for the long run.
ASK: What negative factors did the
Mariposa DR Foundation see affecting
girls in Cabarete and how did they help
Mabreidy and the other girls not go down
that dangerous path?
I am proud that I have a lot of
potential and can help other girls
find theirs. When I teach other
Mariposas how to swim I tell
them to forget about what people
may say, even if they make fun of
you. We have the power to create
our own future, to do things our
mothers never had a chance to do. I
know now I can learn new skills and
uncover opportunities for myself
where I thought it was hopeless
before. Girls need to go out there
and just try. We can do anything!
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DISCUSS: If the Mariposa DR Foundation
offered co-ed instead of girl-only summer
and after-school programs how would that
be different? What might work and what
might not work? What might be different if
the programs were offered by an organization from outside of the Dominican Republic?
WHY WE LOVE GIRL POWER
CONSIDER: Bands in the 1990s like Bikini
Kill and the Spice Girls made the phrase
“girl power” popular, but we’re not talking about pop culture. Girl power means
that all girls everywhere are empowered to
take control of their lives. We know that if
a girl stays in school, has access to health
services and is given an opportunity to
earn a good wage, she will marry later,
have fewer and healthier children and
earn an income that she’ll invest back into
her family and community. That’s amazing! But girls are still facing exploitation
and injustice. Girls in poverty, navigating
the tricky years of adolescence, face additional challenges like child marriage, early
pregnancy and violence.
ASK: How did Mabreidy use girl power to
transform her life and help her friends?
DISCUSS: What problem in your community can you confront with girl power to
create a positive solution?
WHY WE LOVE
SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS
CONSIDER: Studies show that girls who
participate in sports have higher selfconfidence and do better in school. The
Mariposa DR Foundation strives to get girls
engaged in some form of physical activity
on a weekly basis as well as develop the
talent of those who are showing promise in
various sports or taking a special interest,
like Mabreidy. Outside of the Mariposa DR
Foundation there are very few opportunities
for girls to engage in organized sports. Even
though Cabarete is a prime destination in
the world for water sports, most of the children in the community don’t know how to
swim. The Mariposa DR Foundation bridges
this gap by giving girls access to a pool and
the opportunity to learn this critical life skill
as well as engage in various other sports
such as surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing,
soccer, softball, volleyball, tennis and
circus training!
ASK: How did participating in sports
activities during the summer camp change
Mabreidy’s mood and outlook on life? What
opportunities opened up when Mabreidy
started getting serious about swimming?
DISCUSS: How has playing sports affected
your life or that of your friends’ lives? What are
some physical activities that grow girls confidence in their bodies and in themselves?
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Discover how The Global Fund for
Children works to transform the
lives of children on the edges of
society and helps them claim their
rights and pursue their dreams at
www.globalfundforchildren.org.
Interested in the Mariposa DR
Foundation’s work? Connect with
this grassroots organization at
www.mariposadrfoundation.org.
Curious about the situation of girls
globally? www.girleffect.org is bursting with videos, stats, stories and
more. Dig into “The Girl Declaration”
to learn the five goals and seven principles that can create a better future
for girls and end poverty for the world:
www.girleffect.org/2015-beyond/
the-declaration/
MABREIDY CHALLENGES YOU!
Mabreidy brought her story to you
by making this graphic novella, and
now she wants you to do the same.
Go digital, use a comic book app on
your tablet or fill your notebook; use
photos or illustrate your own life. To
get you going: What are some problems that girls in your community
face? How are you dealing with these
challenges? Are there any organizations in your community helping
girls tackle these challenges? What
are you doing to spread girl power in
your community and beyond? Every
girl has a story and deserves to be
heard. What’s yours?
Submit your graphic novella to
share with other girls at
grassrootsgirls.tumblr.com
GLOSSARY
AYUDA: Help
GUAGUA: Mini bus used for public
transportation
MUY FUERTE: Very strong/hard
PAPI: Father
BIEN HECHO: Well done
HERMANA: Sister
POR FAVOR: Please
CÁLMATE: Calm down
HERMANO: Brother
QUE BUENO: Very good
CENA: Dinner
HOLA: Hello, hi
RESPECTO: Respect
CHICA(S): Girl(s)
LOCO: Crazy
M’IJA: My daughter
TIGUERS: Slang for “thugs” or guys who
knows everything about street life
EL CUCO: A mythical ghost-monster,
equivalent to the bogeyman
MAMI: Mother
TRANQUILO: Calm, tranquil
FELIZ CUMPLEANOS: Happy birthday
MARIPOSA: Butterfly
FIESTA: Party
MOTOCONCHO: Motorcycle taxi used for
public transportation.
AY DIOS MIO: Oh my God!
GRINGOS: Foreigners, often from the
United States
MUY BUENO: Very good
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