OUR MISSION

MISSION STATEMENT
To empower young women through education and mentorship to become leaders in their community.

OUR PHILOSOPHY
Starfish One by One’s plans and basic tenets:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”–Margaret Mead

• Quality over Quantity- Do a lot and do it well for a few so that they may impact the lives of many.


• Trickle Up- Profound transformation starts with a few empowered and educated individuals.


• Dignity- Both the young women and her family still must contribute financially to have a stake in her education.


• Indigenous Voice- Value the voice of Guatemalan staff who have walked the same path above all others. They know what it takes.

Young women whose potential has been unlocked during Starfish One by One program will break the cycle of poverty and exclusion and positively transform their families, communities and country into more just, healthy and equitable entities.

OUR STRATEGIES

• Education: we award partial scholarships to selected young women that would otherwise be unable to continue their education beyond the 6th grade.


• Mentorship: we employ local Mayan mentors, each of whom meets weekly with a group of 15 students. In addition to academic support, these mentors help young women discover their voice and talents, and equip each with important life skills.


• Career Guidance: we ensure that each young woman gets the vital support she needs to apply her unique skills and talents to become an agent of change in her community.

• Providing scholarships to young women in middle and high school who would otherwise be unable to continue their studies because of poverty


• Identifying local Mayan mentors to coach these students on a weekly basis.


• Conducting regular visits to each young woman’s family and school to foster the conditions for her success.


• Creating positive peer support networks to help each young woman overcome the daunting obstacles.


• Avoiding the “reinvention of the wheel” via networking with other recognized NGOs to ensure that each young woman acquires the information she needs to break the cycle of poverty and exclusion.


• Providing unique and valuable curriculum for each young woman that is not redundant with what she learns in school.