Sonya’s Story
We had walked to Sonya’s neighborhood multiple times to see her—When we asked around, neighbors’ answers were vague. Over a year later Sonya recounted, “I’m the one who killed my boyfriend.”One night Sonya had returned home after work and found her boyfriend abusing one of her daughters—Sonya had stepped in like a mama bear and killed him. She told how she had called the police, explained the murder, then kept hitting the dead body, enraged. Sonya was given 16–18 months in prison because the court said it was justifiable. Sonya’s journey to healing has been a process, for her anger and sorrow wasn’t just related to any job and any boyfriend.
Like other mothers working nights, street women put their kids to bed before going to work, hoping their kids are ok when they return. That night, Sonya’s daughter was not.
Over a span of several years, Sonya accepted the help Mercy Workshop offered her: to leave prostitution; to receive more education and job training; to accept a structured setting for decision making; to grow through coaching & mentorship; and, to maintain a secure environment for herself and her daughters.
Where was Sonya these last months?
The abuser had been her pimp.
In 2010 a women’s group in San Pedro, Dominican Republic noticed the prostitutes
in their red light district and began talking to them, listening to their struggles and sharing their burdens.The group returned week
after week, then founded Mercy Workshop,
a haven which provides a safe house for
at-risk women and children, a new life and
a creative trade: making unique jewelry to sell. This ministry welcomes women back again and again, ready to encourage and equip each guest who is ready for another dose of courage and healing.
You can help.
You can continue Mercy Workshop’s work in San Pedro and throughout the Dominican Republic. Sonya and women like her are ready for a fresh start and are determined to choose courage.
