In the Dominican Republic (along with most other places around the world), sex trafficking is the new hot-button topic. In the midst of poverty, women and young girls are selling their bodies as a way to earn an income. Sometimes it is simply to earn more, and other times it is just to provide for the daily needs of each of the mouths to feed in the family. New Hope Girls Academy takes in girls who have been in or are at risk of being in this lifestyle. My sheltered brain has a hard time comprehending this. What puts it into perspective is the age of the girls involved. Once these girls are 10, 11, and 12 years old, they are considered "women" and take on adult responsibilities we in the US just can't fathom our own children doing.
To visit their website and learn more about New Hope Girls Academy's mission, click Here.
Take a look at this video from Missionaries Barry and Tim:
Barry and Tim's Thoughts on Human Trafficking
We drove just beyond the city and its infrastructure up the hillside to get a bird's eye view of and to pray for New Hope Girls Academy.
A short walk reveals how close yet how far the city is below. The homes on the hill have no water or power. The homes in the city only have these luxuries twice a week.
This house has walls and siding lined with metal cans opened and pressed flat.
Here is another home along our walk
After walking through the home/Academy in La Vega, we stopped by the workshop to learn what takes place there (and to shop.) Women here have learned to sew and earn an income to meet the needs of their families. They make purses, bags, laptop bags, and beautiful flip flops.
If you have a machine like this laying around that you never use, let us know! They are in need!
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