Skimming the Surface

skim |skim|
verb ( skimmed, skimming ) go or move quickly and lightly over or on a surface.

Human trafficking and exploitation in Costa Rica is a very complicated and tragic reality. On September 17, 2011 a group of 11 filmmakers with Freedom Street Ministries began a journey to go beneath the surface of this issue. In our planning days we have hoped that we could gather enough footage in two weeks that would present the problem.

Our hopes were grossly underestimated. We have only skimmed the surface.

Our two weeks quickly passed as we interviewed government officials such as the director of the Ministry of Immigration, the Minister of Peace and Justice, a prosecuting attorney in the Justice Department and several others. We spoke with NGOs and various faith-based organizations such as Alliance for Your Rights, World Vision and the International Labor Organization.

In all these interviews we found many people who care deeply about the victims of exploitation and are working hard to do something to stop this modern form of slavery. Yes, corruption in the Costa Rican government and organized crime are playing a huge role but more so the lack of funding, confusion in defining the crime and a general lack of understanding of the issue keep law makers, law enforcement and activists from effecting change.

The director of Immigration Kathryn Rodrigez said, "We are just beginning to pull back the curtain of exploitation within Costa Rica." And so it with our team as we work to present the realities of trafficking and exploitation in the streets, homes and neighborhoods of Costa Rica. In many ways we feel we have only just begun our journey.

Over the next few months we will be organizing our next level of filming and planning a time to execute it. We have connections that will enable us to interview the current president of Costa Rica as well as former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias. Other connections are giving us the opportunity to interview a few child victims of exploitation.

This reality is not an issue that can be skimmed over. We hope to dive deep and continue our journey.