 Even
in one of Central America's most peaceful and picturesque countries, poverty
still rears its' ugly head. The inequitable distribution of wealth leaves
the poor living hand to mouth despite the closeness of some of the world's
best coffee, pineapple and banana plantations. Having no other options,
people like Nydia have done the unthinkable: selling herself so her children
could eat.
Operation Blessing sponsored programs are giving Costa Rican families
the opportunity to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives by:
- Equipping for Life -- Operation Blessing assists
individuals, families and communities in overcoming forces that keep
them in the vicious cycle of poverty through its' micro enterprise program.
Unemployed women living in very poor areas are invited to learn marketable
trades including sewing, cosmetology and bread baking. After training
for approximately six months, they receive relating equipment and supplies
to get their new businesses started.
Join us in breaking the cycle of suffering around the world. Please give
a gift today!
Can a prostitute's life turn around after 17 years? Nydia
emphatically responds, “Yes it is possible!”
Nydia has first hand experience. Now 39, she ran away from home when she was 16.
She was being physically abused. For a while she worked as a housekeeper, but there
never seemed to be enough money for her and her two children's basic needs. One
day while Nydia was reading the newspaper, she ran across a job opening at a massage
parlor. Interested, she went to check it out even though she did not have any experience. |
| More News from Latin America |
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Milestones |
- Costa Ricans were given 1,665 medical services during
a 2-week mission in 1995.
- Several hundred people receive assistance every month.
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Country
Info. |
- Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and
the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama.
- Capital: San Jose'
- Area: 51,100 sq km; slightly smaller than West
Virginia
- Population: 4,016,173
- Population below poverty line: 18%
- Life expectancy at birth: 76.84 years
- Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, 20%;
industry, 22%; services, 58%
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