Our Story
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From economic opportunity to educational attainment, legal and social rights to physical and sexual violence, women and girls face larger obstacles, more discrimination, and have less access opportunities than boys and men. These overt obstacles coupled with constant subtle messages of male superiority greatly damage a girl’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth, leading to increased vulnerabilities and risk factors such as dropping out of school, teen pregnancy, and entering violent relationships.
Despite their intelligence and drive, girls often did not learn the skills needed to overcome the obstacles that hindered their empowerment. Even when taught these skills, girls often lacked the confidence and self-agency to apply them in their everyday life. Though there exist countless, wonderful organizations in Guatemala focused on education and health, many did not recognize the need or possess the resources and knowledge to fully support their girls. So many of them were continually faced with the same issues: high drop-out rates among girls, teenage pregnant and risky sexual behaviour, and girls entering into unhealthy relationships and becoming victims of domestic and sexual abuse. |
In 2015, at the request of local educators, psychologists, and social workers, the REALgirl Foundation launched its first branch in Latin America, “SERniña” (to be a girl) address the critical need in Guatemala.
SERniña is not its own school, nor an independent program. Instead, it is a support program to provide pre-existing educational organizations with its expertise and services, so educational organizations of Guatemala can fully support the girls in their programs.
Led by local educators, psychologists, social workers, and activists, with the close support of REALgirl, SERniña has created a completely customized version of the REALgirl Curriculum which is culturally and socially relevant for children growing up in poverty in Guatemala.
SERniña is not its own school, nor an independent program. Instead, it is a support program to provide pre-existing educational organizations with its expertise and services, so educational organizations of Guatemala can fully support the girls in their programs.
Led by local educators, psychologists, social workers, and activists, with the close support of REALgirl, SERniña has created a completely customized version of the REALgirl Curriculum which is culturally and socially relevant for children growing up in poverty in Guatemala.
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Since 2015, SERniña has remained fiercely committed to eradicating gender inequality and advancing
the empowerment of girls and women. To reach our mission we have grown our programs in the following ways:
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Since 2015…
- 1,317 children have completed our year-long programs
- Over 1,100 additional girls have engaged in specialty programs
- Over 1,800 girls have participated in our empowerment and leadership activities
- 600 boys engaging in gender equity programs
- 18 different local schools/ organizations have implemented our programs, reaching 14 different communities
- 18 local men and women have been trained as Facilitators and now lead workshops
- Less than 1.5% of participants have become pregnant
- Over 90% of our participants continue in school continue
We are incredibly proud of all that we have achieved at SERniña. None of it would be possible without the support of our donors and foundational partners. As a grassroots organization, every dollar helps us build and grow our programs.
