Mariposa Volando

Flying Butterflies

Kenia

Every butterfly starts as a caterpillar 🐛

Kenia has spent more than half of her life at Mariposa. Despite her status as a stateless Haitian refugee, Kenia did not let her circumstances stop her from chasing her dreams. As a Mariposa girl, Kenia enjoyed participating in music and health programs. 

With support from Mariposa and an international team of advocates, Kenia was able to obtain her residency. She graduated from secondary school in Thailand on a full scholarship in 2025! Kenia is now studying to become a nurse at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where she dreams of providing support to marginalized communities and patients from backgrounds similar to her own.