A bridge between children and the resources they need

An interview with Luz Angela Espinosa, Director, Constanza School

Luz Angela was born and raised in Columbia. She immigrated to the Dominican Republic with a group of Columbians in 2002. In 2004, she began teaching at ANIJA School and was promoted to direct the Constanza School in 2017.[+ Read More][- Close]

What do you enjoy the most about your work?

I enjoy making connections with people, opportunities to grow and serve the Lord through a ministry that allows me to be a bridge between the needs of children and resources. It is also rewarding to see growth, development, and transformation; to see a child arrive, grow up, and even become my co-worker, and be used by the Lord as an instrument of transformation.

What are some of the biggest challenges in the past year?

The pandemic brought several challenges – meeting children’s spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs, as well as teaching families to support their children with studies and disciplining remotely. The community’s economic hardships continue. We had to reinvent ourselves and reengineer our systems to meet the needs.

Tell us about specific areas of progress that you have noticed?

Ramona, a fifth-grader, struggled to keep up with her studies. Her parents decided to opt-out of our school for a public school. My team convinced them not to, and we dedicated resources. The collaboration between our counselors, spiritual development team, and the social worker’s frequent visits to Ramona paid off. Our food distribution and Ramona’s mother’s coming alongside her daughter further helped. She caught up and her parents are pleased.

What are some of the strengths of your program?

We walk alongside our children and their families to provide personalized holistic care which meets their physical, spiritual, emotional, and other needs through our committed staff. We also maintain good relations with the school district.

What do you hope for in 2021?

I hope that we can return to in-person care for our children and that many families will come to know Jesus.

What are your long-term goals for the program?

Offer a family program for the holistic development of children, strengthen the spiritual program for staff, children and families, along with personalized education and home visits. And offer elective afternoon workshops for children, design our own academic, socio-emotional, and spiritual curriculum, and expand school through 12th grade.

How has your work at Kids Alive helped you to grow personally?

It has helped me develop the potential placed in me by the Lord. We consistently receive training to keep us current and innovative. Daily devotionals and spiritual retreats strengthen our spiritual growth.

Anything else you would like to add?

We are very grateful to you, our supporters, for your partnership in promoting God’s Kingdom. The seed of love that you help plant in a child will bear fruit that will bless the nation. Thank you for answering the Lord’s call to help at-risk children. Greetings from the children, families, and partners of Constanza, we love you in Christ. God bless you.

Constanza nurse Carla and office staff member Ewalda have worked diligently to care for our school families during the pandemic. Coming to the Dominican Republic with her family as refugees from Venezuela, Carla has a passionate heart to love and serve.

Each grade level has a box to deposit completed schoolwork. Sometimes a grandparent or older sibling is the messenger. Visits are spaced so there is no crowding.

On Fridays, parents or caretakers come to school to drop off the previous week’s work and pick up next week’s assignments. All visitors must practice distancing, wear masks, and wash hands.

Even before COVID, Luz Ángela always had a child or two nearby. She has boldly pioneered the implementation of Trauma Competent Care along with her dedicated staff, and it has made a positive difference in many children’s lives.

Under distancing protocols, teachers instruct caregivers about any specifics they need to know, and often send home a small treat and words of encouragement for their students.

The sign on each teacher’s desk shares this truth: You Are Seen, Heard, and Valued. This applies to all our students as well as their families and caregivers, as those created in God’s image.

Communicating with their class and students individually through WhatsApp, teachers try to ensure that all their kids are learning and are well. Our counseling staff has been called into action throughout these months to aid struggling students and families.

When the house dad is also the teacher! Constanza School teacher Wilkins, also a house dad at the Ark Constanza, instructs the children in his home while also teaching his students remotely.

Director Luz Ángela

We are grateful to our donors for new handwashing stations. These sinks allow us to ensure the safety of our staff, students and their families.

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