Learn about what Carmen is accomplishing at Kids Alive International in Guatemala!
Finding Her Calling
Carmen Hernández has dedicated nearly a decade to serving the girls at Kids Alive Guatemala's residential program, Para Niños. She began her journey as an “auntie” (caregiver) at Casa Lila, where she walked alongside long-term residents, watching them grow up and transition into independent lives. After eight years, Carmen stepped away for a season but returned in 2024 as a supervisor in the residential program.
As a supervisor, Carmen oversees the daily rhythms in each home, supporting caregivers and ensuring the girls receive the guidance and care they need. “We read reports from each house to see how things are going… the atmosphere with the girls is the most important thing,” she explained. She also works closely with the girls preparing for independence, helping them develop life skills and launch small entrepreneurship projects.
A Typical Day – And the Unexpected
While no two days are alike, Carmen’s role involves balancing administrative responsibilities with being present for the staff and girls. She meets with house staff, addresses challenges that arise, and provides hands-on support when crises occur. She thanks God for peace and stability in the midst of navigating struggles and emergencies. "That's what we're here for," she says. "Covering whatever comes up."
More Than Just a Job
Carmen sees her work as a calling from God, not just a job. “My motivation has been the call that God has given me to work here,” she said. She recalled moments early in her caregiving journey when the challenges felt overwhelming, only to be encouraged by small but powerful reminders of her purpose. One moment stands out: after a difficult day with a girl in her care, the child approached her and said, “I’m sorry. I know I didn’t act right.” Carmen shared, “It completely changed my perspective. I understood the call He was giving me.”
Years later, after stepping away from her role, Carmen once again felt God confirming her calling through her church and through opportunities that opened at Para Niños. “If you are calling me… amen, I’m with you,” she prayed. “Whatever I do, Lord, may it be guided by you, not by my flesh.”
A New Family Connection
One of the most meaningful parts of Carmen’s story is her decision to open her home to a young woman she had cared for since the girl was eight years old. When the young woman faced a transition to independence, Carmen felt God prompting her to invite her into her family. When she heard the news, she burst into tears—she couldn't believe it. It was exactly what her heart had longed for, Carmen recalled.
Today, this young woman is thriving, just months away from graduating college with the support of a scholarship. “Seeing her so close to achieving her goals really fills me with joy,” Carmen said. “She’s making a new generation in her life, in her family… breaking the mold that shaped her.”
Prayer for Strength and Healing
Carmen recognizes the challenges that come with caring for vulnerable children, especially when staff members have experienced their own hardships. She asks for prayer that God would bring restoration to both the girls and the staff. “Sometimes I see that as one of the biggest challenges… helping someone heal when you still need to be healed yourself,” she shared. “My desire is that we can bring about healing and that the Lord will be the one who moves and manifests Himself in that healing.”
Carmen’s unwavering commitment to the girls at Kids Alive Guatemala and her heart for staff development reflect the love and faithfulness that define her ministry.
