By Florence Sidi, Advocacy & Communications Coordinator
In a rural Village in the Andes Mountains of Peru, 15-year-old Yaneth is taking a path that no one in her family has ever taken—one of Education, Leadership, and Empowerment. She’s determined to shatter the glass ceiling and break all preconceived perceptions that are built around girls like her. It's a story of Resilience, Bravery, and Hope!
A Family’s Dream for a Better Future
Yaneth is the only child of parents who did not have the chance to pursue an education. Her parents were expected to work from an early age and had to survive without a school education, as there were no schools at that time. And the cycle continued for generations; survival triumphed learning. Yaneth’s parents, though, wanted something different for their daughter. So bravely, even though they were both uneducated, they chose to support her education, convinced that she could achieve what they never could.
“To my daughter, I hope that she keeps going, and finishes her schooling; and that if she wants to pursue a career that it may present itself. For my family, schooling wasn’t possible. There weren’t any schools back then in 1995, I only attended until primary school, until second grade, and that’s it. For us, Yaneth is more important. We will stay here, but Yaneth needs to get ahead in life. I am happy and very proud. I’ve always wanted her to keep studying.”
Yaneth and Her Parents
A Persistent Path to Education
Yaneth wants to learn, yet she has to overcome extraordinary circumstances merely to go to school. The nearest school in a village is open only two or three times a week, and getting there requires a five-hour walk through treacherous mountain terrain in each direction. Extreme weather, including heavy rains and freezing temperatures, makes her journey even harder. She and other girls encounter risks every step of the way. Even with all this, Yaneth stays committed to her studies, balancing school work and household chores, working with her father on the farm, and supporting her mother who lives with a disability.
“I want her to finish high school and to always study. My dreams are for my Yaneth. As a mother, even though I have a disability, I must fight for my daughter in the good and the bad. It is very uncomfortable when you don’t have an education. We can’t find employment. We can’t speak well. We can’t travel to a place we don’t know. So, my daughter to me is a dream”
Yaneth and Her Mother
Sacred Valley Project: A Safe Haven
Fueled by her parents’ desire for education, Yaneth has expressed interest in education since she was very young. Her mom said, "When she was 4 years old, she would always talk to me about studying and how she’d finish school.” Determined to give her daughter a better future, her mother took it upon herself to find a place where she could not only thrive but also escape the daily struggles of securing an education. After consulting with relatives and parents in their community, she came to learn about the Sacred Valley Project (SVP), one of She’s the First (STF) partners, a grassroots organization in Ollantaytambo, that provides dormitory facilities for girls who live outside their community for school.
Yaneth joined SVP at 12 years old, where she finally gained access to consistent education and a safe place to live. The dorm, a few minutes from her school, provides her with not just shelter but also school supplies, food, uniforms, and a supportive community of mentors, tutors, and caregivers. SVP became her second home—a place where she could study and have peers to hang out with.
With funding from She's the First, SVP has been able to support girls’ educational expenses. Through trainings and coaching sessions with STF, SVP has been able to detect weaknesses in their programs and design better programs and resources for girls. This has greatly strengthened and improved their services, empowering girls with the confidence, determination, and autonomy they need to make decisions about their future.
Becoming Transformational through the Girls Advisory Council (GAC)
In 2024, Yaneth applied and became a member of the STF’s Girls Advisory Council, a space where girls learn about their rights, leadership, and advocacy. The council works closely with STF staff, board, and girls to ensure that our programs and storytelling reflect the strengths, needs, and realities of girls everywhere. Through the council, Yaneth learned something new—that, like any other girl, she has the right to dream, lead, and bring about change.
For her, getting involved with the council was truly life-changing. By speaking to girls around the world, she learned that there’s a bigger battle for gender equality beyond her own community. The council has empowered her to confidently advocate for herself and her peers and to go about this as a young advocate.
“I joined the Girls Advisory Council because it empowers women to recognize their rights and become leaders. It teaches us to see our worth, chase our dreams, and set goals. Through the council, I hope to grow into a leader who drives change in my community, learns continuously, and shares knowledge with other girls. As they say, there is no age limit for learning—perhaps my journey will inspire others to pursue their education and aspirations.”
A Future Filled with Possibilities
Yaneth dreams of a career in Hospitality and Tourism, a field that will allow her to showcase the beauty of Peru and also have a secure future. She hopes to inspire other girls in her community to fight for their education against the odds stacked against them.
Her story goes beyond academics-its about breaking generational traumas, doing away with class-based systems of oppression and proving that education is a human right. Yaneth’s perseverance, coupled with the support of her parents, Sacred Valley Project and She’s the First is a testament to the power of investing in girls future.
When you educate a girl, you change her life. When you empower her, she changes the whole world.
Videography & Photography: Diego Antonio Nuñez de la Torre Jimenez
Producer: Gabriela Scarafioca
Producer & Editor: Kate Lord
Translations: Dania de Léon, Clara Desalvo, Yotshabell Gálvez Miranda
Music: Ian Post/Artlist