View photos from Costa Rica

A group of ten Eckerd students led by Jessica Wright (senior ‘12) and Amy Wright (Business Office accountant) completed service in San Jose, Costa Rica during their spring break. The team worked at Rahab Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1997, that works to rescue trafficked victims and then to heal and provide them, including their families, services. Rahab uses a holistic approach to better the survivors and their well being focusing on their body, soul, and spirit. The survivors undergo one-on-one therapy and group therapy during their healing process. They also take several classes at the center like, cooking, hair and make- up, sewing, arts and crafts, language, and they also have the opportunity to take school classes and then receive their high school diploma if they haven’t already done so.

The Eckerd group painted a large conference room, which also is used for English classes, hair and make-up school, art activities, and more. They also painted the office hallway and the reception area. While waiting for the paint to dry, the group always had something to help with and they never hesitated. The group relocated large amounts of cinder block, bags full of clothing, sewing machines, drywall, and many more miscellaneous types of building material, along with unloading two full moving trucks of fabric. They also worked in the daycare center, playing with the children of the survivors while they were in their classes. The group also organized rooms in the daycare center to provide a separate napping room with cribs and bunk beds and a separate computer room for the older kids.

Our service work does not stop there. The very inspired group is currently forming plans to host a 5k race taking place in downtown St. Petersburg during September this year. September 23 is International Day against Human Trafficking. The Rehab Foundation and Eckerd College are planning a “sister” race to honor the day. The group also plans to have several awareness events coming up in the near future, both at Eckerd and in the surrounding St. Pete community.

View photos from Costa Rica