High up in the remote villages of the Andes in Peru, public schools are incredibly sparse. Children must walk several hours to the nearest elementary school and high schools are often only located in larger towns, too far from home for students to commute daily. Most high schools are located in city centers; for families experiencing poverty, the expense of sending their daughters to boarding school is out of reach.

But 18-year-old Yoselinda just graduated—she’s the first in her family to earn a high school diploma! She was supported by Sacred Valley Project, a dormitory, education center, and mentorship program, one of the 15 organizations in She’s the First's Partner Coalition. 

"Having graduated represents one of my greatest achievements. It makes me feel invincible." - Yoselinda, 18

Yoselinda's family lives in a community that is four hours away from the nearest public high school—two hours walking plus two hours driving. Due to economic difficulties, her family would not have been able to afford to send her to boarding school. 

"I didn't want to be left without studying," Yoselinda said. Thankfully, her family found our partner, and together with support from She's the First, Yoselinda received everything she needed to focus solely on her studies.

“The Sacred Valley Project helped me significantly, through the tutors and teachers who helped me with the difficulties I had at school,” reflected Yoselinda. “In addition, they supported me with school supplies, internet, and food, which was almost impossible for my family to provide due to economic difficulties.”

"I am the first in my family to finish school, and that makes me feel very happy and also makes me feel, as my mother told me, like an example for my sister, so that she continues studying and is able to finish school."

Yoselinda is not only an inspiration to her sister—she also inspired her mother to enroll in classes to become a health advocate in her community!

Next year, she wishes to enroll in a university in Cusco to study accounting. “My plans for the future are to continue studying and successfully complete my higher education,” Yoselinda said. “I am going to continue studying until I am a professional.”

This Women's History Month, donations will support the Partner Coalition, an STF program ensuring girls like Yoselinda have the support they need to bridge the gap to graduation.

Will you donate today to make more girls feel invincible?