A beacon of light shining toward 2021

The year 2020 will remain deeply etched in our collective consciousness. For the students and staff of Park School and Care Center, it marked a time when we experienced God being with us through His provision and protection. Though the year was replete with unexpected changes and surprises we were still continually able to care holistically for more than 150 children and youth.

God used Kids Alive staff to teach health protocols to students and families in early March, and once the three-month shelter at home lock-in was enforced, used our team to help regularly distribute food provisions to approximately 500 families in this impoverished area that experienced over 90% unemployment.

As the year progressed, we innovated to provide distance learning and toward the end of the year had some of our most remote-study-challenged youth back on campus for tutoring and extra help. Finally, we celebrated Christmas by distributing a special Christmas Eve meal, clothes, toys, and a devotion to every school family.

More than ever, our staff and the children and families we serve feel God’s loving presence. Looking forward, we hope to have more kids return to our campus in small groups this spring and to a full class by August. Though we have become effective at distance teaching, we know that the campus itself is an oasis for our youth with the array of holistic services (counseling, health care, dental care, sports program, and more) that we can provide on-site.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Que Dios les bendiga mucho (May God bless you abundantly).

Click on photo for caption.

Two boys pose with their grandfather after receiving their Three King's presents. The high prevalence of teenage pregnancies results in grandparents raising the children while the single mom tries to continue her education or work.

Kids Alive staff pray over the food and devotional prior to the Christmas Eve distribution. This allowed our school families to celebrate with a special meal and a devotional reflecting on the meaning of Christmas.

This family heads home with blue bags full of food and a family devotional as well as articles of clothing and toys for the kids! Abundant blessings.

Most students live within a mile of the school and walking is the norm for both parents and children in the community. The community is often without electricity and very few homes have running water, utilizing a community spigot instead.

Moms and children often dress up to come to special events at the school, at times in borrowed clothing. December is always special at the Park School thanks to generous support from many and the dedicated work of our staff.

With the government-mandated home-study, many of our students study on the floors as their small homes have no desks or chairs.

Four Park School students pose with their gifts and bags of food.

On December 9th, we invited parents and children back to campus to distribute food, clothing and children’s gifts as a representation of God’s love.

Food and gifts make for a great day for a mom and her two children. Due to the extreme poverty of many families, the only toys and games children typically receive come from Kids Alive.