Jennifer Riis Gotrik

Yoleidi Martinez, Berenise Nuñez, and Chabeli Mieja, pose in front of Nuñez's home in Samaná, a palm-fringed town situated on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic.

Chabeli Mieja feeds Isabel, 4, in Samaná. Mieja got pregnant at the age of thirteen and continues to work in the sex industry to support herself and her daughter.

Isabel Mieja, 2, and Shanel Nuñez, 4, sit together on the couch inside Nuñez's living room.

Chabeli Mieja watches Dexter's Laboratory with Shanel Nuñez, 4.

Berenise Nuñez amidst a crowd at a government-run toy giveaway in Samaná. In the Dominican Republic, job opportunities are limited for woman and many are forced to turn to prostitution to make a living.

Berenise Nuñez greets her youngest son Shanel at a government-run toy giveaway in Samaná.

Berenise Nuñez stands near her home in Samanà sporting a recently-purchased neon orange dress.

Shanel Nuñez, 4, with toy car in Samaná.

Chabeli Mieja and Berenise Nuñez sit on the beach with Mieja's daughter Isabel to celebrate Dia de Reyes, a national holiday.

Berenise Nuñez, Chabeli Mieja, and Yoleidi Martinez enjoy a day of orange soda, rum, and sunshine to celebrate Dia de Reyes, a national holiday, in Samaná.

Chabeli and Isabel pack up after a holiday at the beach.

Chabeli Mieja sits on her bed with her daughter, Isabel, in the small room she rents in Samaná. She is not proud of her profession and hopes sex work is only a temporary solution. “What is the worst part? This job isn’t good in any sense,” Chabeli said. “The only good thing on my mind is the money."