The Magdalene Project funds centers for the rescue and rehabilitation of prostitutes (women and children) who have been exploited and are at risk. VHI is Human Life International's (HLI) liaison with the Spanish speaking centers, for donations and follow-up where it concerns these programs. The funds are provided to existing non-profit centers, so they can offer:

• 1. An effective program to rescue women and children from prostitution.
• 2. Shelter whenever necessary
• 3. Counseling
• 4. Training so women can work and support themselves
• 5. Medical and referral services
• 6. A solid education on moral principles
• 7. Follow-up for each individual case

Around 10% of Project Magdalene Funds are used for the rehabilitation of prisioners of boths sexes.

Through the generous donations of its benefactors, HLI grants funds to organizations which save lives and souls throughout the world, including the Hispanic countries.

The following are some of HLI's Hispanic Magdalene Centers in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic:

Magdalene Center in
Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic

In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the Religious congregation "Religiosas Adoratrices Esclavas del Santisimo Sacramento y de la Caridad"have as a mission the veneration of the Eucharistic Jesus and the rescue and welfare of exploited women.

The Sisters minister to women who want to make a new start and free themselves from the bond of prostitution. The Sisters provide job training and help the women find housing so that they can become self-sufficient. They provide job training in:

• 1. Baking (cakes and pastries)
• 2. Tailoring (both to work at home and to work in factories)
• 3. Beauty (to work in beauty parlors)
• 4. Serigraphy (to print t-shirts and other promotional items)

Magdalene Center in
Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic

Eighty-one women are being trained in the Sisters' schools and workshops. Most of the women's ages range from 15-35, with the majority between 20 and 26.

In the beginning of their ministry, the Sisters went to the areas where prostitutes gather in the streets to encourage the women to join them and make a new start. Now many of the former prostitutes who have been helped by the Sisters tell their previous co-workers to go to the Sisters for help in getting out of their situation. The best way to prevent the women from returning to their former lifestyle is to get them jobs, which requires job training. After job training the Sisters help the women find a job; however, due to the situation of the country, this is not always easy. The Sisters follow-up by visiting the women in their homes, holding orientation sessions once a month, and checking with their employers periodically.

In Quito, Ecuador, the "Centro María Droste" (Maria Droste Center), of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, is dedicated only to rehabilitate women victims of prostitution. Its program includes street rescue, offering them a better life, emergency shelter, moral and religious education, counseling, tailoring, beauty parlor courses, arts and crafts, and a nutrition and medical program for them and their children. About 400 women are helped every year.

A Missionary of
Mother Theresa's
during an activity

In Managua, Nicaragua, Mother Theresa's Missionary Sisters of Charity work in a center which is affiliated to a parish. The staff reaches out to prostitutes that wander in the streets; some are referred to the center through the local church. Spiritual formation, counseling, tailoring and arts and crafts courses are provided to the women. Great emphasis is put on preparation to receive the Sacraments. The center can help about 50 women.

Dr. Cabrera Artola at the entrance
of the Center in Nicaragua

En Santa Cruz, Bolivia, the Religious Sisters Adorers maintain a home to receive, reorient and rehabilitate women in prostitution. Adoration, prayers and petitions to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament are most important. Character development, how to interact with others, how to solve their frustrations, etc are part of the program. The Sisters promote reading classes, training for employment, job placement and the follow-up in each case. They can take care of about 50-60 cases each time.

In Bogotá, Colombia, "Fundación Vida Nueva" (New Life Foundation), has a program that includes catechesis, preparation for the Sacraments, Bible and prayer groups. Formation in chastity, health and self-esteem, cultural and recreational activities; job training and placement, and a pre-school program for their children, are provided. About 230 women are helped at the center, which also provides emergency shelter; and if a home is needed in some cases, it will be provided. The women to be rescued from the streets, are invited to visit the home.

Sewing workshop at the rescue and rehabilitation
center in Minas de Gerais, Brasil