Marielis Batista
Haverhill High School’s Girls Learn International Program, better known as GLI, raises awareness about the injustices that girls have to live with, such as limited access, in many places, to education. GLI is dedicated to increasing girls’ access to education in countries where females are far less likely than males to stay in school past the primary grades.
GLI was founded in New Jersey in 2003 by Lisa Alter. Her goal was to create a program to show that humanitarianism has no minimum age requirement and that youth plays a critical role in leading the movement to affect positive change for girls and women all over the world. Lori Capra took up the cause in Haverhill, starting the high school’s GLI in 2011.
Mrs. Capra said that teaching students about social problems around the world gives her satisfaction because most of the students have no idea about these social problems. She is inspired by the energy of the students once they are aware of the social issues faced by women. Iliana de los Santos, a student, said that she enjoys GLI because it allows her to meet new people that have similar interests and learn about the struggles that women go through in different countries, as well how we can create change. Shukri Ali, an exchange student from Somaliland, said that she will gain many benefits from this club, because in her country they face many of these issues.
The GLI Program is building a movement of informed advocates for worldwide girls’ education and a new generation of leaders and activists for social change. The program teaches students that through their own creative initiatives, dedication, and passionate leadership, they can create real solutions that address the obstacles girls and women face locally and around the world. The GLI members recently went to Newburyport to watch the film Malala. GLI meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month in Mrs. Capra’s room, S15, and welcomes new members throughout the year.
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