Which part of your work do you enjoy the most?
I love to help our teachers do their best in teaching, generate ideas for children’s activities, problem-solve for those who need help, and organize systems that support the vision to integrate trauma care into our work. I also enjoy tutoring the kids, but that is now rare. Yet last year I enjoyed helping advanced students improve their English skills.
What were the biggest challenges from last year?
Before the pandemic, our challenge was getting teachers united in assisting kids suffering from trauma. During the pandemic, it shifted to pulling together schedules and plans to initiate the school’s response to the emerging needs of kids and families. Zoom calls were instituted to restore the disrupted communications between teachers, so they could share their struggles and victories as well as learn ways to affirm students online.
What progress have you seen?
Our contact with students’ families via Zoom has grown to engage 80-90 families this year. Once a month, we hold “parenting school.” The first sessions covered students’ routines, followed by disciplining and connecting with their kids based on trauma research. We also shared devotionals and taught family budgeting.
What are ANIJA’s greatest strengths?
Our biggest strength is our teachers and staff who are committed to God and ministering to kids. Many have been with us for 15-20 years. They are the hands and feet of Jesus in the community. They too are going through tough times, but are trusting God while striving to teach in new ways.
What do you hope for in 2021?
To have kids back on the campus, even if in small batches. However, I want to sustain close contact with their families, particularly the parents of 4-year-olds, who started school this January, as we train them to help their kids with fine motor skills, learning sounds, and practice counting. The parents come every two weeks to get their child’s study packet.
What are some of your long-term goals for ANIJA?
Ensure the high school club program has a more lasting impact, strengthen the counseling department with additional trauma care training, add a sensory room, and rebuild the library.
How have you personally grown in your time working with Kids Alive?
As the General Director, I have grown as a team worker who relies on others. I am privileged to work with a committed team of directors and dedicated staff. Spiritually, I’m constantly reminded that I need to do what is mine to do and trust God to continue work on the other things.
Is there anything else you want to share?
Our counseling staff continues to visit families weekly, and our teachers recently started their annual visits to their students. One such visit to a second grader’s home which included the delivery of food was summed up by the grandma as “manna from heaven.” The family of eight had not eaten in two days.
Thank you for your prayers. God has been faithful and continues to guide us. Thanks for the support that allows us to impact students’ families with God’s love through prayer, education, food, and emotional support in these hard times.
