Monica is Seen and Protected

Across Zambia, something important is beginning to shift.

For generations, physical punishment was often viewed as a normal part of raising children. Many parents disciplined the same way they themselves had been disciplined, believing it was the only way children would learn respect and responsibility. But as awareness about child protection continues to grow, communities are beginning to recognize that children deserve homes where obedience and respect is rooted in strong family bonds and safety. Families are being called to break generational patterns to show their children that they are protected, known, and loved.

That change is creating new opportunities for children. It is also creating new questions for families. If physical punishment is no longer the answer, then what is?

For Kids Alive Zambia's Lilato Care & Justice Center, that question sits at the heart of our holistic support for family strengthening. Because protecting children is not only about helping them understand their identity in Christ and their rights. It is also about helping parents and caregivers build the skills, support systems, and relationships that allow families to thrive together.

Edwin's* story offers a glimpse into what that journey can look like.

At thirteen years old, Edwin arrived at the Lilato Care & Justice Center after reporting concerns about physical abuse involving his stepfather. After a child rights awareness session at his school, Edwin later turned to school authorities seeking help. When things became difficult at home, he spoke up. His case was referred to social welfare authorities, who connected him with Kids Alive Zambia, where he entered a safe environment while the situation was assessed and both him and his family received support.

At first glance, Edwin's case seemed straightforward about concerns of physical abuse. But as his counselors, social workers, and mentors spent time with him and his family, they began to uncover a more complicated picture.

Edwin was struggling with authority at home. He resisted correction, frequently challenged his parents, and often found himself influenced by peers who encouraged unhealthy behaviors. Tasks assigned by his parents often went unfinished, and conflict had become a regular part of family life. At the same time, his parents were facing challenges of their own. Like many caregivers, they had never been taught positive parenting skills. They wanted Edwin to succeed, but they lacked tools for responding to conflict in ways that strengthened their relationship rather than escalating tension.

The issue was not simply Edwin's behavior, nor was it solely his parents' response. The whole family needed support.

Over the next seven months, the Kids Alive Zambia team walked them through a journey of family strengthening.

While Edwin participated in counseling, therapy, mentorship, and weekly devotions, his parents were invited into their own healing process. The Lilato team worked to help each family member better understand their role in creating a healthier family unit and home environment.

Edwin learned about both his rights and his responsibilities. Through counseling and discipleship, he began reflecting on virtue: the importance of respect, accountability, and honoring those who cared for him. He started recognizing how some of his own choices had contributed to ongoing conflict. At the same time, his parents received training in child safeguarding, child rights, and new approaches to positive parenting. They learned practical ways to respond to difficult situations without resorting to physical punishment and were encouraged to seek support when challenges arose.

Little by little, perspectives began changing on both sides. What started as conflict slowly became conversation. What started as frustration slowly became understanding. What started as separation began moving toward restoration.

Scripture became rooted in their hearts, minds, and actions: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

Healing often begins when people choose to see one another differently and recognize that we are all children of God. Healing grows when families learn new ways to communicate, when caregivers respond with wisdom instead of fear, and when children discover that they can be both protected and guided with love.

This is what bonds that mend can look like.

After seven months of care and preparation, Edwin was reunified with his family. A few days later, his guardians shared an encouraging update:

"We observed a great change in Edwin's behavior. He answers respectfully, loves going to school, completes household chores, and keeps good company."

For the Kids Alive Zambia team, stories like Edwin's are about much more than improved behavior. They are about breaking cycles that have existed for generations and declaring God's truth and promises that transform lives. They are about helping children understand their value while equipping caregivers with the tools they need to nurture healthy relationships. Most importantly, they are about strengthening families so that children can grow up experiencing the safety, belonging, and guidance every child deserves.

Today, Edwin's story serves as a reminder that lasting change rarely happens in isolation. When children, parents, caregivers, schools, churches, and communities come together, families can begin writing a different story—one marked not by fear or conflict, but by understanding, connection, and hope.

Become a Safe Haven Champion

Across Zambia, God is transforming lives and communities by helping people see children through His eyes. As awareness of child protection grows, Kids Alive Zambia is helping families build healthier relationships through trauma-informed counseling, discipleship, and family strengthening—creating bonds that mend and futures filled with hope.

Become a Safe Haven Champion today and help create communities where families are strengthened and bonds can mend.

Why Healing a Child Means Healing a Family: Edwin's story reminds us that lasting change happens when children and caregivers are supported together. Download our free resource guide to learn how Family Systems Therapy can help families break unhealthy cycles, strengthen relationships, and build a healthier future together.

*Pseudonym used for child's safety.

Rebecca* arrived at Kids Alive Guatemala's Oasis campus carrying many of the questions that often follow children who have experienced trauma and separation from their family.

Am I safe?

Will anyone understand me?

Do I truly belong anywhere?

At Oasis, Rebecca found a team of caregivers, counselors, social workers, and educators committed to helping her heal. Over the next year, she received individualized support as she worked through emotional challenges, struggled to communicate her thoughts and feelings, and faced difficulties in school. Through consistent encouragement and care rooted in Christ's enduring love, she slowly began growing in confidence and discovering new possibilities for her future. As the team cared for Rebecca's physical and psychological healing, they were pursuing something else as well: helping her find a family where she could grow and thrive.

As Rebecca continued her healing journey, Seleny and the Oasis team began carefully exploring possible extended family members who could provide a safe, loving home for her long-term future. Over time, they identified an opportunity for kinship care, where children are welcomed into the care of vetted relatives rather than remaining in residential care.

Eventually, their search led them to her aunt.

At first, Rebecca's aunt knew very little about the situation. She had no idea what her niece had experienced nor the challenges she was navigating. When the Kids Alive team explained Rebecca's circumstances and asked whether she might be willing to help, God had already been working in her heart to respond with an immediate "yes."

That moment was an answered prayer.

"Her aunt was a miracle for Rebecca. We didn't know much about her at first—but when she found out about Rebecca's situation, she said, 'I want to help my niece.'"

The journey toward reunification did not happen overnight.

The Oasis team worked carefully to help Rebecca and her aunt build their relationship while also preparing the family for what reunification would require. Rebecca's aunt learned about her academic challenges, her difficulty expressing herself at times, and the long-term support she would continue to need as she healed.

Even knowing those realities, her aunt's family remained committed.

"Even knowing that Rebecca has learning challenges—that it's hard for her to grasp some things—this family said, 'We want to support her,'" Seleny explained. "Her aunt is an extraordinarily patient person. That patience has helped Rebecca."

Over time, a deep bond of trust began to grow between them.

One of the most meaningful moments in her reunification journey came during Rebecca's quinceañera celebration in 2025. Family members who had once felt distant showed up to celebrate alongside her. Her aunt was there. Her relatives were there. For Rebecca, it became more than a birthday celebration.

It became a reminder that she was not alone.

She was seen. She was wanted. She belonged.

Shortly after her quinceañera, Rebecca moved in with her aunt and began a new chapter surrounded by family.

The transition brought new opportunities and new adjustments. But Kids Alive's involvement did not end when Rebecca left Oasis.

The team continued visiting her regularly through psychology appointments, social work follow-ups, and weekly phone calls. Counselors met with Rebecca and her family in their home and community, helping everyone navigate the challenges that naturally come with reunification, and strengthening the relationships that were continuing to grow.

At a recent court hearing, the judge overseeing Rebecca's case was so encouraged by the progress being made that she authorized continued follow-up support to help ensure Rebecca's long-term success.

The team also continued supporting Rebecca's education and development. They helped connect the family with educational resources and practical strategies to support learning at home. Sometimes those moments are beautifully simple. While running errands together, Rebecca's aunt points to signs and words and encourages Rebecca to read them aloud—small acts of patience and encouragement that help her continue growing.

Rebecca is studying while also training in part-time work to build important life skills. She is learning responsibility, managing money, and building confidence in her abilities to build a future of indepedence. Recently, she saved enough money to purchase her own "traje típico," the traditional Guatemalan clothing that has always been an important part of her identity.

"Rebecca always maintained her identity," Seleny shared. "She always wore her traje típico. And now she has the opportunity to buy one with her own money. That is something to admire about Rebecca."

Most importantly, Rebecca says she feels happy and safe with her family. She says she wants to stay with them for a long time, and her aunt feels the same way:

"Rebecca will be with us until she gets married."

Today, Rebecca continues growing, learning, working, and healing with a family that loves her deeply. A journey that began with questions about safety and belonging is becoming a future marked by family, community, and the confidence that she is chosen as a child of God.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.(Lamentations 3:22-23)

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Become a Safe Haven Champion

Become a Safe Haven Champion today and help children discover they are loved, valued, and chosen—surrounded by families and communities where bonds can mend.

Why Healing a Child Means Healing a Family: Rebecca’s story is a reminder that healing is strongest when children and families are supported together. Download our free resource guide to learn more about the role Family Systems Therapy can play in helping children and families heal, grow, and thrive together.

*Pseudonym used for child's safety.

At the beginning of the school year, Wilson* was known as a student who carried his emotions close to the surface. Frustration often came out quickly — through arguments with classmates, harsh words, or conflicts that could escalate in moments. Even small disagreements sometimes became larger confrontations. For the teachers and staff walking alongside him each day, it was clear that Wilson was navigating more than what could be seen on the surface.

In Haiti, where ongoing instability, violence, and uncertainty often shape daily life, many children arrive at school already carrying stress, fear, and emotional exhaustion. For some children, those feelings show up not in words, but in reactions—raised voices, impulsive behavior, or the instinct to protect themselves before anyone else can hurt them.

What others may have dismissed as “bad behavior,” the Kids Alive Haiti team recognized as a child struggling to manage emotions from the survival instincts he had developed from a childhood surrounded in turmoil.

At Kids Alive School, teachers and staff took time to look beyond Wilson’s behavior and understand the stress and emotions driving it. Instead of only focusing on correction, the school brought together caregivers, a social worker, the psychology team, and spiritual mentor Pastor Wesly to better understand what was happening beneath the surface. Staff members spent time listening to him, helping him pause before reacting, talk through situations, and practice healthier ways to respond when frustration rose.

Day by day, there were small shifts that began to take root.

At first, the progress was small. There were still difficult days. But over time, he began learning that he did not have to react to every situation immediately. He could stop. Breathe. Ask for help. Walk away rather than compete for the upper hand.

The adults around Wilson consistently reminded him of one of the Kids Alive Life Declarations: self-control is strength that creates space for wisdom.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  (2 Timothy 1:7)

One day during recess, a classmate provoked and hit him. In the past, Wilson would have fought back instantly. But this time, he paused.

Instead of retaliating, he walked over to a nearby staff member and reported what had happened.

Later, he explained, “I was about to defend myself when I heard Mr. Judex’s voice in my head, reminding me that I must go to the staff members nearby to better manage the situation.”

For the staff, it may have seemed like a small moment. But for Wilson, it represented something much bigger.

He chose not to let anger control him.
He chose the wisdom of self-control over reaction.
He chose a different path.

Staff members were able to step in quickly, de-escalate the situation, and help both students move forward peacefully. More importantly, Wilson began realizing that his voice mattered—and that asking for help was not weakness, but demonstrated maturity.

From that day forward, Wilson’s growth became more visible. Teachers noticed him taking more time before responding in frustration. He became more thoughtful with classmates and more willing to communicate with adults instead of reacting impulsively. The student who once felt defined by conflict was beginning to see himself differently.

By the end of the school year, the school recognized Wilson for his improved behavior. But the real transformation was happening far deeper than the classroom rules he had learned to follow.

Wilson was beginning to understand that he was not trapped by his past reactions or mistakes. He was capable of growth. Capable of wisdom. Capable of choosing peace.

Today, Wilson is still learning and growing each day. What once felt like constant conflict is becoming a life shaped by courage, self-control, and the belief that a different future is possible when he leans into his strength as a child of God.

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Become a Student Champion

Children like Wilson need safe classrooms, caring mentors, and steady support as they grow up surrounded by ongoing instability and uncertainty in Haiti. Your support helps create places where children can learn, build healthy relationships, gain confidence, and discover a future shaped by hope instead of fear.

Your support makes that possible. Become a Student Champion to help children experience the care, encouragement, and opportunity every child deserves.

*Pseudonym used for child's safety.