Missions Partner Spotlight: Transforma in San Jose, Costa Rica

This month, we are focusing our Missions Partner Spotlight on TRANSFORMA! This ministry works with women, children and immigrants living in extreme poverty in Costa Rica. Most TRANSFORMA participants are afflicted by social/job exclusion, unemployment, low education, violence, insecurity, lack of decent housing, family disintegration, early motherhood and more. One of the main ministry goals is to prevent sexual/domestic violence and human trafficking. TRANSFORMA also features human development, leadership and neuro management programs that are based on both Biblical and scientific approaches.

TRANSFORMA provides entrepreneurial, bussines and leadership education, as well as soft and technical skill development (sewing, hair styling, makeup, manicure/pedicure, jewelry, cooking, English, and more). Materials and equipment are made available so women can produce and sell their own items and services, allowing them to save money so they can purchase their own equipment and materials for future job growth.

TRANSFORMA is sustained thanks to the generosity and love of individuals, families, churches and corporations that help with financial and other donations.

1. PRAY FOR TRANSFORMA's STAFF. Pray for health and well-being as rainy season brings with it lots of common colds, plus the continuing threat of COVID. Please pray for great health so they can continue their work in the community.

2. PRAY FOR TRANSFORMA's PARTICIPANTS. Recently, the area has seen the rise of malnutrition in both children and adults, due to a rise of poverty and unemployment. Over 400,000 Nicaraguan migrants have crossed the border into Costa Rica since 2020, all of whom are looking for jobs and well-being for their families. Many of them have settled in one of TRANSFORMA's main communities in the east of San Jose. Because many live in very precarious conditions and are in transition, this area has a lot of humanitarian needs. Pray that TRANSFORMA's food bank always has enough for everyone—the kids and mothers in the sponsorship program and for immigrants and refugees in transition.

3. PRAY FOR TRANSFORMA's PREVENTION EFFORTS. The TRANSFORMA team is working hard and proactively to train children and youth caregivers in PARENTING WITHOUT VIOLENCE. This program focuses on how to prevent human trafficking, the prevention of improper relationships, and how to care for the mental health of their children. TRANSFORMA is dedicated to sharing Biblical tools to manage stress and trauma. It has proven to be a very important training!

Lots of people are struggling with change and uncertainty. As we present the Gospel and they enter into an intimate relationship with God, their hearts become more hopeful and peaceful.