Fabiola Veras Joazar ‘22

Swimming Instructor & Programs Assistant

Fabiola was raised and has lived her entire life 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.” Having joined Mariposa programs at age 10,  Fabiola graduated from programs in 2022 as well as from Centro de Enseñanza Coral (the local high school) through a scholarship made possible by the Mariposa Foundation. Having learned how to swim at the Mariposa Center, Fabiola is the first Haitian certified lifeguard in the Dominican Republic, and she was the only woman in her open water lifesaving course. A natural teacher and athlete, Fabiola now gets to teach other Mariposa girls how to swim and play many sports, including to her two younger sisters who are enrolled in programs. Fabiola’s sisters, Katiana and Rosa Mirlanda are both extremely promising athletes (it must be genetic!). 

A great role model to both of her sisters, Fabiola is concurrently studying Business Administration at UTESA in Puerto Plata. Fabiola loves to share her passion and knowledge with the Mariposa girls and watch them practice and see how they progress overtime. The happiness that the Mariposa girls have on the courts, fields, swimming pools when they master a new sport is contagious and she is so grateful to get to share the beautiful experience with them. When Fabiola is not teaching swimming, volleyball, softball, basketball, or tennis, she can be found swimming in the ocean or playing volleyball in an all women’s volleyball league. Fabiola also learned how to kitesurf through the Mariposa Foundation and hopes to improve and learn more about the extreme sport that controls the bay of Cabarete most afternoons. Fabiola is a bright and kind human being who always finds a way to turn even the most challenging to navigate situations into something positive.