From Poverty to Pediatrics
Before age nine, Walkiris lived with two sisters and a little brother in a cement block house with almost no furniture. Their father died of leukemia and their mother passed away shortly after, so they were left alone. The oldest sister worked full-time to provide what she could, but most days they only had food because of gifts from a kindly neighbor.
In 1998, Walkiris came to live at the Ark – a Kids Alive home in the Dominican Republic. It didn't take long for this humble, caring and thoughtful young girl to be recognized for her leadership abilities. She soon accepted Christ during family devotions with her house mother and quickly became active in the local church.
In 2008 Walkiris graduated from high school – something fewer than 10% of Dominicans have done. She was top academic student of her school, and used her computer skills to help at the Ark and to teach computer classes. In January 2009 Walkiris enrolled in a university program in medicine, with plans to become a pediatrician.
