Andrea Suriel ‘22

Programs Assistant

Andrea was raised in La Cienaga of Cabarete, the second largest local neighborhood that borders the Mariposa Foundation and is named after its proximity to the lagoon – La Cienaga directly translating to “the swamp.” No relation to Founder and Executive Director, Patricia Suriel, Andrea entered Mariposa programs at age 7. Having graduated from Mariposa programs in 2022, that same year Andrea graduated from Centro de Enseñanza Coral (the local high school) through a scholarship made possible by the Mariposa Foundation. A young entrepreneur and self starter, Andrea started her own handmade soap business when she was 15 years old. Her business still exists, though operations are on pause as she is in the process of perfecting the formula as she is focusing more on the skincare benefits. Andrea plans to continue her passion and study Pharmaceutical Chemistry at UTESA in Santiago in the fall of 2023 made possible through a scholarship by the Mariposa Foundation. 

Raised with seven siblings, Andrea is the only of her siblings to have attended Mariposa programs. As a Programs Assistant, Andrea is now responsible for assisting in lesson planning and teaching reading and writing. For Andrea, it is an extra full special moment to be in a staff role knowing firsthand what it was like to be on the other end. She is very creative and believes that creativity is an extremely important piece of learning and keeping instruction interesting. Andrea’s favorite part of the day at the Mariposa Center is the morning circle and is even more energized by this tradition as English words and phrases are slowly being integrated. Andrea speaks conversational English and attributes her knowledge to her English classes at Mariposa and getting to practice with visiting student groups. She believes that it is important to keep working hard in life in order to see the results and benefits and to keep persevering because eventually it will all fall into place.