This project started as “proyecto EMPODERAMIENTO” to “Asociación Empoderamiento” (ASOEMPO)

Northstate Women’s Health Network, dedicated to the empowerment of women and girls partnered with Asociacion Empoderamiento, a Guatemalan nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering rural women and girls—the new generation of women to break the cycle of oppression and access to education.

In 2014 the program expanded to include secondary school (7th-9th) with 116 children attending from 10 communities. 48% are girls, 87% of these children would not have been to school otherwise. The program to empower only works if there is a school that they can attend and if they have means to get there. Through the fiscal sponsorship of NSWHN we have been able to assist with the costs to transport 70+ individuals to and from school.

NSWHN incubated this successful girls rights project that is still in operation today.

GIRLS CLUB 2013, Chiquitias

GIRLS CLUB 2013, Chicas

We asked the girls what they thought about their first year of GIRLS CLUB, this is what

some of them had to say:

• Karen, 17: “I learned to know myself and to have confidence in my goals.”

• Deisy, 16: “I like having a space to share my struggles.”

• Mileydi, 8: “I love to participate in the group because we have fun and learn a lot!”Former Customer

Left to right: Anne Richey (President), Virginia Garcia (Associate), Patricia

Méndez (Executive Director), Amalia Pineda Lopez (Vice President), Eloida Jor

Figueroa (Treasurer), Lesly Martinez (Secretary). Not present for the photo:

Sandra Pineda de Paz (Associate).