Graduation Day from Girls' Empowerment Program

by Tom Murlowski

​I've known at least a dozen women in my life – including my mother! – who all shared a similar experience: Because of cultural and religious biases and misplaced shame, none of them had any idea what was happening when they had their first menstrual period. One can imagine how frightening that must have been.

​In October, I was privileged to observe the graduation ceremony for The Girls’ Empowerment Program at the primary school in Sosnabar, a rural community near San Miguel. The program teaches fifth- and sixth-grade girls about the changes taking place in their bodies as they become young women by using creative educational materials and a curriculum in the “Niñas Sabias Program” – the Wise Girls Program. 

Twenty girls attended the graduation ceremony during the final two-hour module of the five-day program, led by their teacher, Arlene, who led the girls and visitors in appealing to the four corners of the Earth and honoring the Four Elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. This was meant to connect the changes in their bodies with the inherent magic of life and nature.

Then came the careful construction of a mandala – a circle symbolic of a spiritual journey. Inside it, the girls created representations in the shape of a woman's reproductive system with fresh flower petals and seeds the girls contributed. Then, each girl offered a piece of personal artwork to the circle with a drawing about what they learned in the workshop. 

It was wonderful to watch them joyfully collaborating in this unique and beautiful expression. The graduation event concluded with the gifting of reusable menstrual hygiene kits that last up to three years. In addition to teaching the girls to be proud of who they are and instilling self-confidence, the program informs the girls so they have a much better chance of successfully completing their educations. 

Our observing Rotary team included Project Manager and President-Elect Jose de Anda, Member Evelyn Grewal, two visiting Rotarians from the 49ers Club in California, and New Member Tom Murlowski.

This program is just one of Rotary Midday Club’s eight projects serving our community. Rotary’s involvement during the school day has been approved by the Secretary of Education of the State of Guanajuato. It is funded and administered by the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday and a $91,000 USD global grant from The Rotary Foundation. 

​The program has educated and equipped almost 4,000 girls since January 2023.