At Kids Alive, we walk alongside vulnerable children as they navigate the harsh realities of trauma such as abuse, sexual violence, and neglect. Our team is committed to providing a place of safety and protection—a safe haven—to heal those traumatic wounds and build communities where violence and trauma are reduced. As a Safe Haven Champion, you support our family strengthening, protective care, and justice advocacy programs. These programs involve residential homes, reunification, job skills, parent trainings, government collaboration, and victim advocacy and restoration.
Valentina (pseudonym for safety), a 16-year-old at Oasis, says she’s learning that it’s okay to be okay. Before arriving at Oasis, Valentina lived in a government-run children’s home, where she likely had no contact with her mother. After her transfer to Oasis, the Families Together team helped re-establish communication—something Valentina deeply treasures. “I’m learning to talk to my mom again,” she shares, “and to know that she’s okay, and I’m okay too.” Through God’s presence and the support around her, she’s begun to recognize that she’s growing—even when life still feels hard. God’s love is reminding Valentina that healing is possible, and that peace can be found in simply knowing she’s not alone.
“It’s not easy to get along with everyone,” Valentina admits. “Some people just don’t get along with me, and I don’t get along with them.” But she’s learning to respond with kindness—with God’s help. His love motivates her to treat others the way she hopes to be treated. “When I do that,” she says, “I grow, and they can grow too.”
Kelly (pseudonym for safety), a 9-year-old living at The Orchard Children’s Home, says God is helping her grow in love and respect for her “heart sisters”—the girls she lives with. “God taught me to love and respect them,” she shares. “I don’t hit my sisters or brother anymore, and that pleases the Lord.” Kelly has also learned how to pray and now prays for her family every day. These changes, she says, are helping her grow closer to God and those around her.
God’s love is changing the way Kelly speaks and acts toward others. “I used to say bad words and insult my sisters and brothers,” she says. “Now I respect and love them.” One way she shows that love is by helping with homework, offering kindness and care in her everyday actions. “It’s how I show them I care.”
Dimitri (pseudonym for safety), a 15-year-old student at Kids Alive Haiti, shares that God’s grace has changed everything. “I don’t come from a wealthy family,” he says, “but God has favored me and placed me into this blessed ministry.” Now, Dimitri feels safe and supported—with access to education, friends, and a loving environment where he can grow. “When I think about the children in vulnerable conditions across the country, I know I’ve received something special. This is God’s grace.”
For Dimitri, God’s love inspires a heart of service. He says he feels compelled to help those in need and to share what he has. On a recent visit to his family, Dimitri walked to fetch water for his grandmother. Instead of rushing to fill his own container, he first helped those who arrived before him. “God’s love teaches me to serve,” he says, “even in small ways.”
Elias (pseudonym for safety), a 13-year-old resident at the Ark Jarabacoa, shared that God is helping him grow through prayer, Scripture memory, and the loving guidance of the Ark community. When he first came, he tended to keep more to himself and wasn’t engaged in conversations about faith. Since arriving, he’s become more emotionally open—now engaging deeply in conversations about faith. He’s learning to bring his frustrations to God in prayer, asking for a calmer heart and wisdom to respond well. His favorite verse, 1 John 2:24, reminds him to remain close to God and aware of His presence. Elias says he’s still learning, especially when it comes to asking for forgiveness, but he’s committed to growing in his relationship with Jesus.
Elias says he feels God’s love most clearly through the kindness and safety shown by adults at the Ark, especially his psychologist. That love motivates him to treat others with care—like helping someone when they drop something or learning to have respectful conversations with others who see faith differently. As he prepares to visit his grandmother for the summer, Elias is thinking intentionally about how to express God’s love in simple, everyday ways.
_1.JPG)
Patience (pseudonym for safety), a 10-year-old at Kids Alive Zambia, remembers how hard life was before—selling clothes with her mother in the streets, and sometimes alone when her mother was sick. She rarely prayed, except on Sundays at church. Since coming to KAZ, she’s learned to pray daily with the caregivers and children, and to treat others with kindness, love, and respect. “God brought me here so I have a safe home, friends, and people who care for me,” she says, grateful for the change in her life.
“God’s love helps me to love people,” Patience says. She’s learning to care for others and show compassion, especially when someone is hurt. “If my friend falls and gets injured, I help her up and treat the wound,” she explains. God’s love, reflected through her actions, is shaping her into someone who brings comfort and care to those around her.
Rebecca (pseudonym for safety), 11-years-old, says God is helping her grow academically, socially, and spiritually—teaching her new lessons, helping her live well with others, and giving her opportunities to play, sing, and dance. She’s strengthened her faith through Bible reading and morning devotions, and God’s goodness has provided her with her basic needs. Before this growth, Rebecca often responded to wrongs with anger, insults, and fights, showing disobedience at home and school. Now, through self-regulation, love from teachers and peers, and learning to appreciate others’ opinions, she’s developing respect, emotional control, and gratitude.
Rebecca says God’s love has shaped how she relates to people—at school, at church, and at home. “I treat others the way I want to be treated,” she explains, “by showing love, forgiveness, and care for their feelings.” She’s learning to value quality time and to reflect God’s kindness in her everyday interactions with classmates and family.
.jpeg)
Sam (pseudonym for safety), a vibrant young boy at DEA (our residential home), has walked through a difficult past. Uncertain about his father’s identity and exposed to unsafe circumstances during his early years, he carried burdens no child should have to. Today, God is writing a new story of growth in Sam’s life through the love and stability of a Christian family who welcomes him into their home on weekends and holidays. He treasures these times together, especially attending church with them on Sundays. This summer, when asked whether he wanted to stay for football camp or spend the season with his new family, Sam—though passionate about football—chose family without hesitation. In that choice, Sam is learning that God’s love gives him belonging and safety.
Sam’s joy is contagious—he loves speaking, playing football, and going to Sunday School. Surrounded by the love of Jesus, his family at DEA, and the family who has chosen to embrace him, Sam is discovering that love can heal and inspire. The care he receives is teaching him how to extend kindness and life to others around him.
Thank You!
We are deeply grateful to supporters like you. Your generosity makes it possible to bring hope, healing, and justice into the lives of vulnerable children and families all around the world. Your partnership equips us to walk alongside them, giving them every chance to flourish in their community and thrive in their relationship with God.
