Project Launch:

The Girls to Women project began as a dance group and morphed into a mentoring group for young women in El Salvador. The purpose of the group is to help guide young girls in navigating their current lives and to prepare them for the future. Currently, the group sessions are focused on tutoring and career development discussions. This project will expand their curriculum by providing workshops on gender equality, sexual health (HIV/AIDS education), violence prevention, women’s empowerment, goal formation, and financial literacy. The aim of this project is to provide a safe forum for young females to discuss specific topics and to equip them with important knowledge for both their health and personal development.

 

Project Update

The young women have been busy participating in various workshops focused on gender equality, sexual health, female empowerment, and goal setting. They have also engaged in jewelry making, arts and crafts, and bread making workshops to expose them to income-generating skills. As a result of these workshops and activities, the young girls have improved their self-esteem and have become more confident.

 

Testimonials

"This group has been a vessel in which young girls are given the opportunity to become aware of the different aspects of their lives. The group is helping to teach and prepare them for their future through workshops that serve to improve their self-esteem, develop their skills and abilities, express themselves freely, while gaining confidence in themselves." - Siomara, Project Leader

 

"I have been working with this particular group of young ladies for several months. During this time, I have seen them blossom from timid girls afraid to speak up in front of people to young ladies who aren't afraid to make a mistake and take a chance.” - Amris, Peace Corps Volunteer