Robust COVID-19 response results in children’s safety

Vision screening at our schools is often carried out by visiting teams of ophthalmologists from the US. Working with the children's families, our ministry sites will acquire glasses either donated from the US (like these), or at other times purchased locally.

Nurse Felicia works compassionately to provide competent care to children, following up on those with special needs like this young boy with Type 1 diabetes getting an insulin shot. She also works closely with nutritionist Taylor to guide the kitchen staff and the boy's mother regarding an appropriate diet.

Santo Domingo East school staff practice administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during training for health care workers. The 911 emergency system is new in Dominican Republic and most areas where Kids Alive works still do not have an ambulance service or reliable public hospitals.

Health care workers Carla and Lisa work with nutritionist Taylor to accurately measure all Constanza School children. Taylor then calculates body mass index (BMI) to determine which children are to be included in the nutrition supplementation program. Distance learning this fall poses a daunting challenge to execute this critical program.

Ark Constanza staff celebrate their CPR and First Aid certification. Constanza School nurse Carla provides follow up and guidance to the house staff as they care for the children.

Hearing screening for our children has been a long-time goal of our ministry, and last winter that wish was fulfilled by a generous team of supporters who brought over a machine. Many of our younger children in Jarabacoa were screened prior to the pandemic lockdown.

All children in the 10 Kids Alive sites are measured at least once per year, and more often if identified as having issues. Pediatrician Leslie Trautwein, Kids Alive DR Medical Director, works closely with health care workers at each site to care for acute illnesses as well as develop preventative care.

Hair lice can be difficult to eradicate, especially if the children lack adequate support or care at home. Our health care workers along with other staff readily jump into helping students with compassion and kindness.

Nurse Mariel of Park School distributes peanut butter and vitamins to children with low BMI’s who are in the nutrition supplementation program. Nutritionist Taylor oversees these programs and, along with the health care worker, follows the children's height and weight progress closely. With schools in distance learning mode, the nurses are working on alternate plans to measure children and provide supplements to those in need.

Although most of our children receive their primary nutrition from the various Kids Alive schools, nutritionist Taylor has developed instructional tools, like this game of “My Plate,” to teach children healthy eating. With diabetes and hypertension being two common adult illnesses in Dominican Republic, it is important for kids to learn about the nutritional value of common foods here.

Dentist Yira provides care for the Kids Alive children in Jarabacoa. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve those who would otherwise lack access to dental care.

Nutritionist Taylor works with the cooks at all 10 Kids Alive ministry sites to ensure children get balanced meals. Most students lack adequate nutrition at their home. During the pandemic Kids Alive DR has been supplying hundreds of families with regular food rations.

Dynamic and engaging, nutritionist Taylor teaches kids of all ages about healthy foods and healthy eating, starting with the youngest ones!

Lisa grew up in the loving care of the staff at the ANIJA School. Amazingly, she now serves as a health care worker at ANIJA while studying at the university on a Kids Alive scholarship. Lisa has a deep appreciation for the needs of the kids as she once was a child in need of loving help.

Nurse Carla organizes the Constanza medical “pharmacy” which is used to restock the First Aid kits in all the Ark Constanza homes. She carefully monitors the use of medications in the homes, guides the house parents, and follows children under medical treatment plans. As part of preventative care, she makes sure children's vaccinations are up to date.

Collaborative learning has proven to be key to building a strong team of health care workers. Park School nurse Mariel learns about cavities and other dental pathology from ANIJA School dentist Yira.

Annual vision screening is often carried out with the help of visiting student ophthalmologist work teams. Here a Vanderbilt University student screens Eva M Russell and Casa Monte Plata's children. Those with sight issues are taken to a local optometrist or ophthalmologist for more complete exams and provided glasses.