By Wendy Anders

Downtown San José is a city which CNN recently described as having a bustling nightlife, and where “sex is for sale on nearly every corner.” And some of those selling sex are working as slaves.

Mariliana Morales, founder of a non-profit that rescues women in sexual slavery on San José’s streets, said in an interview with CNN she was “called by God to help the women.”

As Director of Fundación Rahab, she has been combing the streets at night since November 1997 to talk with women and encourage them to seek aid from her organization.

“We have a lot of undocumented victims; especially from neighboring countries. Migrants are so vulnerable; whoever offers them a good job, they believe it, they are trusting,” said Morales.

Yuderka, a victim from the Dominican Republic who lives at the Foundation and receives assistance to reintegrate into society, told CNN she had been offered a job cleaning houses in San José for $500 per month, and when she arrived they took her passport and forced her into prostitution. She was stuck in sexual slavery for six months, unable to contact her family.

In 2009, Morales was recognized as a hero in fighting human trafficking by the U.S. Department of State under Hillary Clinton.

The Rahab Foundation aims “to provide dignifying changes in the quality of life of individuals and families linked to the sex trade, and restore families who have been linked to commercial sexual exploitation to achieve new capabilities reintegrate into society, through knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus,” according to their website.