Strengthened families, thriving children

An interview with Ramon Prenza, National Co-Director, Kids Alive Dominican Republic‍

Juana and Ramon Prenza have been rescuing and transforming the lives of at-risk kids for close to four decades. They joined Kids Alive in the mid-1990s when Kids Alive began supporting the school they had started in Monte Plata.

What brings you joy at work?‍

I like to see children's lives change as a result of the transformational work that God does in their lives.‍

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

‍It's been difficult to deal with the pandemic, but it has provided a real opportunity to help others in a time of great anxiety and fear.‍

Tell us about the progress you have observed?

‍We were able to reunite a young man with his mom and brother after he had been with us for five years. The reunification has gone well as the youth has developed a good relationship with his mother and brother. He continues with his studies at Eva Russell School and the family attends church together. He also helps his mother who is apprenticing in an auto paint repair shop. We maintain regular contact with him, as he frequently calls to inquire about the well-being of his friends in Casa Monte Plata.

‍What are the strengths of your program?

‍Kids Alive's strength centers around the holistic approach to address the needs of at-risk children. Each of the sites has experienced significant growth and benefits from strong teamwork and the passion of the staff to serve the Lord. Casa Monte Plata has its particular strengths including our young workers who serve as great role models for the younger kids. Also, we have a strong alliance with a local church, experienced long-term staff, and good facilities that help with building partnerships.

‍What do you hope for in 2021?‍

We hope the pandemic ends and we can return to a more normal routine and focus on rescuing more kids.‍

As you think long-term, what are some of your goals for your ministry/program?

‍We want to continue to improve our spiritual teaching, gain more in-country financial support and volunteer help, expand our schools through high school, and develop strong independence programs along with technical education tracts for kids.‍

How has your role helped you grow?‍

My work with Kids Alive has helped me to grow personally, spiritually, and professionally over many years. Each year I learn new skills and gain additional knowledge which lets me serve God in greater ways.

‍Do you have any other thoughts?

‍We thank God for allowing us to meet and collaborate with you our Site Partners. Let's keep our eyes fixed on God in our homes and all of our program activities.

Transformation of children and youth that come from hard situations is complicated work that requires patience, love, and expertise. Using these attributes, our seven schools have developed well deserved reputations for both serving the most needy children in their communities and helping transform their lives over many years.

Most children enter our schools between 3 and 4 years of age. Sometimes they are selected from many applicants solely based on need and generally come from impoverished and dysfunctional families. They are at risk for neglect, malnutrition, under education, and various forms of abuse. When possible, we also admit special needs children, to prevent their mistreatment and provide protection and services which would otherwise be unavailable to them. We use a holistic approach to help children develop; this includes giving attention to their spiritual, academic, emotional, social, and physical development.

In recent years, we have been able to enhance our program by adding resources like Christian psychologists, social workers, dentists, and health care specialists and by offering after-school programs such as sports, discipleship training, English language classes, and parent training.Our holistic approach helps create an environment of loving care and promotes the development of all aspects of a child’s life. Our schools are recognized by the public education system for their special education capacity and overall excellence, and are generally among the top-performing schools in standardized testing in their districts (despite starting with impoverished, at-risk children).

In some of our communities, a Kids Alive child is five times more likely to graduate from high school than a typical Dominican student and six times more likely to be part of a church as an adult.We greatly appreciate the generous support that allows us to provide this multidisciplinary, holistic approach. We remain excited to see continued transformation in the lives of our students, their families, and even our communities as our schools and programs mature.

While Kids Alive ministry focuses on children, we are firmly committed to – and love to – reunify children with their families and strengthen families of the children we serve. We are finding more opportunities to reunify children in our residential ministries with their families, using various ways to promote and maintain connection and rehabilitation. Though the process is often long and challenging, with many stops and starts, the joy of reuniting a child with a safe and rehabilitated biological family member is full of blessing and joy.

In the years prior to coming to Ark Jarabacoa, siblings Juan* and Rosa* had been kidnapped by their estranged father and constantly lived under the threat of violence and neglect. The Ark became a refuge for the two young children while their mother began a four-year process of rehabilitation and finding safe refuge from her violent ex-spouse.

During the years apart, their mom developed a stable income and a secure home far away from her estranged husband. We were able to promote a loving connection between her and her sons, and the children developed a sincere desire to be with her despite the neglect and abuse that occurred previously.

When reunification was finally possible, the benefits to the boys were apparent, including improvement in their behavior and grades.Recently, a Kids Alive social worker made his routine visit to the family. Though the pandemic has been hard as the children have had to study at home while their mom goes out to work, the family is generally well. And our supportive and encouraging relationship remains intact. At the end of the visit, Juan playfully asked when he could visit his friends at the Ark!

*Names changed