For Joelle, working as a social worker at Kids Alive Lebanon isn’t just a job—it’s a calling rooted in principles that resonate deeply with her. “I loved Kids Alive’s values and felt this is where I need to work,” she says. “I have the same values in life.”
A year into her role, Joelle’s passion for helping children heal and thrive shines through, even as she navigates complex challenges. In Lebanon, she often works closely with the courts on behalf of vulnerable children, a process that can take time and persistence. “There are so many challenges with the court system because they take a long time to process our paperwork,” she explains. “I’ve learned to be flexible and persistent in following up.”
Changed Lives
But amid those challenges, Joelle finds joy and purpose in seeing God at work among the children in the residential program. One story stands out to her—a young boy from Nigeria who arrived in Lebanon alone, without family and showing deep signs of trauma. “When he first arrived, he was struggling,” Joelle recalls. “But through the help of the staff and prayer, he began to heal. Today, he’s more confident, compassionate, and most importantly, he loves Jesus and loves singing hymns.”
For Joelle, this transformation is proof that true healing happens when care is infused with faith. “I’ve worked in several organizations, but Kids Alive is different,” she says. “Without the presence of Christ in the staff and caregivers, that young man wouldn’t have experienced this kind of transformation.”
When asked what advice she’d offer to others called to nonprofit work, Joelle’s answer is simple but wise: you can’t do this alone. “You need to have a team spirit,” she says. “You also need to believe that you don’t have a magic wand and can’t change the kids’ lives unless the Lord interferes and changes lives.”
Her words capture the heart of what makes Kids Alive’s ministry in Lebanon so powerful—faith that heals, bonds that mend, and a steadfast belief that God is at work even in the hardest places.
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