Empower 15 women as leaders, Improve health of 600

"This is my first diploma ever," Genesis told me as she read her certificate with a look of awe and joy in her eyes. 

"And I hope it won't be your last," I encouraged. I loved how proud she seemed of herself.

"Definiely not," she assured. "I'm going to keep advancing."

Genesis is one of the four teenage girls who participated in the 2019 corhort, and on January 21, 2020 she and 8 other ladies graduated as Community Health Leaders (CHLs).

We honored and celebrated their hard work with a graduation ceremony, followed by lots of photos and delicious food, of course. The graduates also had a chance to share with everyone, and they all expressed their immense gratitude for having been given the opportunity to learn and grow. They are different - empowered - because of this course and because of their accomplishment, and they could all feel it.

The CHL course is one of the most impactful programs we offer at Project Hearts, and the graduation ceremony is one of my favorite events every year. As each woman clutched her diploma, she radiated. Family & friends who attended glowed with pride, and I hope they were inspired as well. One guest asked if she could enroll in the next course. Absolutely, we said.

Throughout the afternoon so many people thanked me, and I could see genuine gratitude pouring out of them. I kept wishing I could somehow capture that feeling so I could pass it along to you all - the ones who really deserve the appreciation. I can only hope that somehow just reading these words will fill you with the joy and satisfaction that I got to feel that day, and that you will understand what a huge difference you made in the lives of these 9 women.

We are eternally grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you.

~Marissa