The joy of seeing our kids come to know Jesus

An interview with Jan Burkey and Dolores “Miriam” Baptista, Co-directors, Palo Blanco School

American missionary Jan Burkey and Dominican Dolores “Miriam” Baptista together launched a preschool reading program in Palo Blanco in 2001. This program started with a few students and has grown into the Kids Alive Palo Blanco School, serving 280 children from preschool to grade 11 and supported by 40 Christian staff.[+ Read More][- Close]

What brings you joy in your work?

Jan: Seeing growth and changes in the students, their families, and staff and seeing children come to Christ! Helping meet the physical and emotional needs of people that the Lord brings in my path and in trying to make their lives a little bit easier.

Miriam: Sharing my time and experience with coworkers, mentoring students, and sharing the Word of God with families.

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

Jan: COVID-19 distanced children from the Palo Blanco School. Holding classes became impossible and online teaching became the norm. But online classes were challenging, especially for the younger children whose parents are illiterate, unmotivated to help with schooling, or didn’t know how to use online devices. The students missed their classrooms and teachers, and the teachers missed checking on their students.

Miriam: It was challenging to work without a plan and routine and adapt to teaching online and to the new circumstances.

Share with us the progress you have observed?

Miriam: One of our girls whose family lived in critical economic, emotional, and spiritual conditions faced physical and emotional health crises. She was at the point of attempting suicide. We joined our forces to pray and love that family. Currently, she and her family are stable, and the girl has overcome her challenges and her family testifies to the strength that the ministry has given her.

What are the strengths of your program?

Jan: Ministering to the whole person – physically, emotionally, academically, and most importantly spiritually! Checking on how they are doing while away from school and working with their families.

Miriam: Kids Alive program and ministry are carried out with integrity and good management of resources.

What do you hope for in 2021?

Jan: To have our kids back in school, add a senior year so students can finish schooling in Palo Blanco. Strengthen and build the capacity of educational coordinators, trauma care department, hire a medical and dental specialist, and foster greater team unity among our staff.

Miriam: Continue supporting our students, their families as well as our staff while protecting their health. May the Lord guide us and may we continue to seek him faithfully.

What are some of your future goals?

Jan: Separate elementary and high school into two sections, improve and expand technical specialty of our high school, improve discipleship and sports programs offering more mentoring and small groups. Hire counselors and social workers to enhance the orientation department’s reach to minister to children and families.

Given the strict government mandates of distance schooling and no students on campuses, our high school clubs have been meeting in the kids’ neighborhoods. They occasionally gather, distanced and masked, in larger groups like this. 

Due to the pandemic, many of our families continue to struggle with unemployment and other challenges. Our staff is passionate about staying connected with the students and their families and meeting as many needs as we can – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Co-Directors Jan and Miriam have worked together for over 20 years and have experienced many great challenges and joys over that time. God’s strength, beauty, and love flow through them into this community. 

This 11th grader lives at Ark Jarabacoa and now attends Palo Blanco School using Google classroom and other tools. There has been a steep learning curve, but there have been wonderful successes as well. We hope to add 12th grade next year!

Marcos* came to drop off his homework. Although he’s not allowed to stay, the staff values even this brief contact. With encouragement and guidance, our older students are taking on more responsibility for their studies. *Name changed

Co-Director Miriam Batista 

Co-Director Jan Burkey

It has been a challenging year for counselor Gris, but she has done a great job seeking ways to connect with the students. If they come in to drop off their homework, they know they can stop by to touch base. 

Distanced and masked – that is life here in the DR… and wash your hands frequently, but that can be hard when you don’t have running water! These high school girls are eager to meet in small groups for Bible study. 

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