Dear Friends and Family,

I’ve decided to participate in a summer service-learning course to Calcutta, India working with survivors of sex trafficking in one of Asia’s largest sex trade districts. Each day over 10,000 women stand on the street and sell their bodies for money. Many of these women have been trafficked to this area against their will. The organization I will be serving at for the month of August offers job alternatives, which gives these women a chance to experience freedom for the first time. I will be working with the women directly, spending time with their children and helping in construction projects that the organization (Freeset) is in need of to be completed.

As my faith has grown, I have seen how important it is to love others, especially those whose lives are filled with struggle and pain. I have been seeking for an opportunity to serve God, and when God keeps opening doors for a specific path, I have learned to trust and take that leap of faith. This course entitled “Topics in Global Social Work: Sex Trafficking in Calcutta, India” gives me a chance to live my faith while learning about international development, global poverty, and understanding India in general.

 I am one more quarter away from graduating next year (2017) with my A.S in Heath Sciences and a minor in Spanish. The following year I plan to attend graduate school to pursue Speech-Language Pathology. I know I wanted to commit to a service learning experience before graduating PUC, therefore I’m taking this unexpected opportunity as a calling from God. I am aware that I will not instantly change a life, but perhaps this trip will change my perspective on life and appreciate it for something more. This experience costs more than what I can afford myself. I pray that my family and friends will find this experience worthy to support by financially giving $20, $50, $100 or more —any amount helps! Your donation is also tax-deductible! 

If you prefer to give a check, please write it for Pacific Union College Missions Office with a side note attached to it Yadira Hernandez on it. Please mail these to:
Pacific Union College 
1 Angwin Avenue,
Angwin, Ca 94508

This 3-credit service-learning course trip reviews the historical, cultural and socio-political evolution of gender and violence against women within the context of both traditional and contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on global social work intervention models, modern gender studies and controversies, and the social/cultural construction of difference with an emphasis on global women's’ issues; specifically, human sex trafficking in Kolkata, India. The course format comprises of three sections:
1) Spring Quarter 2016: Gaining global understanding and context by learning about India’s history, economy, religions, culture, and key components of the sex trade.
2) Summer Quarter 2016: Students will spend 4 weeks in Kolkata, India working with non-governmental organizations combatting sex trafficking. Guided discussions on experience and integration of theory, and dialogue focused on faith and poverty will take place.
3) Fall Quarter 2016: A debrief period where guided facilitation through reverse culture shock, feelings of guilt, processing experience, and an action based project is expected.