SNSI
Soy niña, soy importante (SNSI), or "I'm a Girl, I'm Important" by Fundación Tropicalia, is a summer day-camp in the Dominican Republic that serves girls ages 9-12 years old and provides a safe, nurturing environment where girls can simply be girls. The camp, an initiative of Fundación Tropicalia, gives young girls the guidance and tools they need to be self-reflective, critical thinkers and make timely life choices. The curriculum includes: Education in Values; Artistic Expression & Development; Development of Interpersonal Relationships, Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness; Sex-Ed and STD Prevention; Gender & Violence; Nutrition and Sports.
SNSI has enriched the lives of hundreds of girls and their families. All told, SNSI has registered nearly 2,000 participations, which includes many girls who re-enroll in the program year-after-year. We hold annual fundraising campaigns for SNSI, and recruit volunteers to help implement the camp. These efforts help us expand and refine our programs, and engage supporters both locally and internationally.
SNSI addresses several socioeconomic issues affecting girls and women in the Dominican Republic:
- Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world with an upward trend in teenage pregnancies under 15 years of age. Of every 1,000 teens between 15 and 19 years old nearly 100 have been mothers.
- Teen mothers are at a significantly higher risk of dropping out of school.
- Girls between the ages of 5 and 14 spend 40% more time doing housework than boys their same age.
- Education, access to sexual health and protection of the rights of girls are key to stopping and reversing these trends.

These national and international statistics show that adolescent girls are at special risk in developing rural communities. Young women face other challenges, including domestic violence and job inequality. Every summer, SNSI seeks to serve the most impoverished girls in Miches and provide a transformative experience. Through SNSI, a girl learns about her value in society, and is given the tools necessary to dream up a different kind of future.
AN AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM
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Latinoamérica Verde, 2019. Soy niña, soy importante was selected among the 500 best programs in the region by 2019 Latinoamérica Verde Awards. This platform exhibits different social initiatives in the region, classified into 10 categories aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
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SABER Awards Latin America, 2019. Soy niña, soy importante won in the Caribbean category for its communication and outreach strategy.
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Silver STEVIE Award, 2019. Silver in the category of NGO and Social Causes Communications Campaigns and Public Relations.
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iNOVA, 2019. Silver in the Non-profit Campaign and Corporate Social Responsibility categories.
- REDUCA, 2016. Soy niña, soy importante was recognized by the Latin American Network for Education (REDUCA) as "Best Innovative Practice in Inclusive Education".
- Ethical Corporation, 2013. Soy niña, soy importante was shortlisted as a finalist in the category "Most Effective Domestic Community Investment" among more than 400 candidates from all over the world.

"The girls of Miches today are the young women, mothers, business owners and community leaders of tomorrow. They will play a fundamental role in breaking generational poverty cycles, and forging a new path toward prosperity in our community."