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An interactive exhibit designed to help people understand the scale and impact of global human trafficking will be open to the public at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 29-31.

"We want people to see, hear and experience stories of tragedy and triumph, and find hope," Bennie Ingraham, mission director at the church said in a press release. "The goal of this exhibit is not only to educate, but to provide action steps of how to make a difference."

The public is invited to see the exhibit at the church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park, on Tuesday, Jan, 29, from noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 30, from noon to 9 p.m.; and Thursday, Jan. 31, from noon to 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended and admission is free. Visit www.mppc.org/sold to make reservations.

The multi-sensory exhibit, called the "SOLD Experience," uses audio, videos and photos. It was conceived by Amber Bruce, Jessica MacFarlan and Krista Hanson and was financed by a grant from Bethel Church in Richland, Washington, said Monica Brandt, a spokesperson for the Menlo Park church.

It takes about an hour to go through the exhibit and it is appropriate for ages 13 and up, Ms. Brandt said. Participants learn about the lives of human trafficking victims in the U.S., Mexico, South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Jordan, India and Cambodia.

A total of 27 million people around the world are victims of modern-day slavery, according to a 2012 report by the U.S. Department of State. "Human trafficking is an issue that is largely unknown and misunderstood," says Amber Bruce, co-creator of the SOLD Experience. "Shedding light is the first step in combating it."

In the exhibit, visitors are prompted to use smart phones to "tweet, text, post photos, receive additional information, and live blog about their experience," Ms. Brandt said. "At the end, participants learn how they can help eradicate modern-day slavery."

She said Menlo Park Presbyterian Church is focusing on education and fighting extreme poverty and human trafficking. The church has been on Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park for almost 140 years and has four campuses, including locations in San Mateo and Mountain View, with 4,500 members.

Visit www.mppc.org for more information for more information about the church.

Visit www.soldexp.org for more information about the exhibit.

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