The story goes like this:

Like many other big things that start out small, Answer International began as a simple, local food outreach. From this local outreach grew a desire to help people in other countries. In 2004, our founder and his team were reaching out to the people who live in the trash dumps of San Jose, Costa Rica. As they were giving out clothes and food, and expressing love to the people, he walked up to the only nice house in that terrible slum. A sweet-looking older lady came out, and he saw two little girls standing in the doorway behind her. While the lady was talking to his team, he could not help but notice how thin the girls were and how hopeless they looked.

“Do you know what this place is?” his teammate asked. 

“No.” 

“It’s the brothel. This lady is a madam, and she wants to know if you want these two girls.”

Our founder could not believe that someone would prostitute two starving children to an adult man for sexual pleasure. “I’ll take them!” he replied. His intentions were not to use them for momentary pleasure, but take them away from that wretched place permanently.

As he walked away holding two little hands in his, he told these two stone-cold, expressionless faces that they were safe and would never be hurt again. The girls were taken to the local orphanage, which was funded and supported by the team, and given the protection and love they needed. 

Eight days later, our founder returned and saw a complete transformation in the two rescued girls. They ran out to meet him, hugging him, and crying with gratitude that they now had hope for their lives. That day marked the beginning of a crusade. He left the orphanage knowing exactly what he wanted to do – liberate girls and young women from the atrocities of sexual abuse and slavery. To bring them life, hope and transformation. This is how Answer International was born, from one randomly presented opportunity to a strategically planned initiative.

Be the Answer. Partner with us today!