Blog

Casa Monte Plata celebrates Christmas with a special dinner. Everyone dresses up in their best clothes and looks forward to an evening of delicious food, worship dances, and a devotion from the director. Special friends are invited to join in the festivities, including Kids Alive's Dominican board of directors, the counselor, and our missionaries.

Gifted hands convert the multipurpose room at Casa Monte Plata, into a beautiful Christmas banquet hall! The family units sit together, enjoying the food, songs, dances, Scripture readings, and teachings. The older children help prepare and guide the younger ones with love and care. It is beautiful to see the depth of love and trust that exists on this campus as they celebrate Jesus’ birth!

Christmas celebrations are held on Christmas Eve, when children and their families join in celebrations with a feast, worship, dancing, and warm ginger tea to keep away the winter chills. The focus of the celebrations is on Jesus’ birth. On Christmas Day, families enjoy leftovers together. These photos are from last year's Christmas and Kings Day celebrations. Read the captions for more on "Kings Day."

Christmas is celebrated with much gusto at Santo Domingo North School. While some Dominicans frown on the early start of Christmas celebrations, the Dominican Christmas celebration lasts till January 6, concluding with "The Kings Day" (also known as "The Three Kings Day")! This national holiday marks the Wise Men's presentation of gifts to baby Jesus. Yellow-colored clothing is worn to mark this celebration.

While Christmas is celebrated by exchanging presents, delicious meals, and fun activities, the children are reminded of the reason we celebrate Christmas and God's most precious gift of  Jesus. The Christmas pageant and other skits and drama reiterate God's salvation offered to all.

We celebrated Christmas and The Kings Day celebrations last year. Our students, from poor homes where parents cannot afford presents, take great delight in receiving presents from the school.

The celebratory meal and presents follow a message about Jesus' birth from Margaret and her husband Juan, who established the school.

Students and teachers at Eva Russell School celebrated Culture Day, complete with customary festivities of sweet treats and historical reenactments of Columbus' arrival to the Dominican Republic. They were incredibly proud to show off their baking and sandwich-making skills. The excitement continued with outdoor games, songs, and dances.

Whatever the event, being together is always a joyful time at Santo Domingo East!

Recognition and presentation of the children's work affirm the children and their intellectual growth. Expanding a child's worldview beyond the walls of their family, community, and country is critical to their growth. This is especially true for the primary students on presentation day with fellow classmates exploring global topics like air pollution.

The students at Anija School are excited and proud to show off their colorful uniforms and backpacks. As parent-teacher conferences take place, families and educators collaborate to develop new avenues of learning for children.  Thanks to the teachers at Anija, our students can be proud of both the large and small milestones in life.

A love for learning is shared by all of our students at Ark Constanza Home and School. Interactive lessons from learning language skills, history, geography, and science to mastering computers, all reflect the quality of the education. Discussion groups keep students engaged and included in conversations as tactile tools like exercise balls become a regular part of educational learning. For some, lunch and soccer during recess may just be another routine, but to a Kids Alive student, these routines instill hope, joy, and restoration. 

Preschoolers at Palo Blanco marked Dominican Republic's Culture Day with colorful skits to celebrate the country's diversity, reconciliation, and the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Kids dressed up as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and crew members of Columbus' ships -- Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina -- to enact Columbus' first encounter with the local Taino people.

On most days, enthusiasm is manifested in the joy, cheerfulness, and high-octane energy in the classroom and on the field at Ark Jarabacoa. But on rare occasions, a fruitful and an exhausting day results in chilling together! Discussion groups led by caregivers, teachers, or house parents, or a bit of fun like a weekend movie create balance and facilitate a sense of order in the lives of the children. Spending time together and intentionally participating in both educational and fun activities help children bond and learn social skills.

There's never a dull moment at Santo Domingo North school! Children are engaged in a variety of activities, whether it's having fun or turning to God in prayer!

Brisa’s* childhood came to an abrupt end the day she discovered her father’s body, lying lifeless and cold. And before she could recover from the loss of her father, her mother died.

Having alcoholic parents, life wasn’t exactly ideal for Brisa, but it was better than being orphaned with two younger sisters to support. Brisa and her sisters were sent to live with an uncle, but this shelter came at a cost. Both she and her sister Madelyn were cruelly beaten regularly by their uncle. Eventually Brisa and Madelyn moved to live with an aunt, while their youngest sister Dayana stayed with their uncle. Though separated from their youngest sister, Brisa and Marcela began to live a “normal” life with their aunt. But the normalcy was short-lived, as Brisa soon discovered that their cousin was abusing Madelyn in the same way he had abused Brisa when she was younger. They told their aunt, but the aunt did nothing. However, when the cousin’s wife heard of the abuse, she was alarmed and took action. That is when Brisa and Madelyn were taken away to the safety of the government-run children’s home.

In 2011, Kids Alive’s Oasis ministry heard of the girl’s plight and invited them to stay at the Oasis to receive the help they needed. Two years later, their youngest sister, Dayana, who they barely knew, united with them at Oasis. Here the three sisters began to learn to live together. At first, it wasn’t easy – the three struggled to adapt and to trust that they wouldn’t be hurt anymore by the adults around them. Over time, the three came to know Jesus. Their hearts, hardened by years of abuse and the sadness of losing their parents, slowly began to soften and heal. At Oasis, Brisa and her sisters came to know a very sweet friendship, grounded in their belief in the Lord and love for each other. They now care deeply for each other and spend as much time together as possible. While Brisa, now 17, has moved to the pre-independence program, she is often seen enjoying a meal or a laugh while visiting her sisters. The pre-independence program prepares girls on the threshold of young adulthood to live independently. All three girls have expressed a strong desire to be together as a family once they all graduate from school. In the meantime, they have adjusted well to life at the Oasis.

Brisa is quiet but driven. She recently started working on-site at the Oasis daycare while finishing up her schooling on Saturdays. She has found favor with her Kids Alive teachers, missionaries, and house parents for her strong work ethic, desire to learn, and her loving and kind demeanor. Her enthusiasm and devotion to pursuing the Lord, as well as being a fierce protector of her sisters, have already brought her far. The Oasis staff look forward to what the Lord has in store for Brisa as she navigates through late teens to adulthood while leading and guiding her younger sisters.

Brisa is a different girl from the abused, neglected, and fearful child she was when she arrived at Oasis. She is now a young woman who radiates the hope of the Lord as she playfully laughs with and encourages those around her.

*Names changed for privacy 

Teacher Counts Her Blessings!  

This was Glancy’s first year teaching at Source of Hope. Previously she worked at a convenience store. Glancy now team teaches sixth graders at Source of Hope, and she brings her strong quality of compassion to the children she teaches. “I enjoy teaching because I am able to do something for the students here beyond anything I could have in customer service, and I love it here especially because this school gives a good education based on Christian values." She says she feels affirmed by God, and added, "Since I’ve started teaching here, amazing things have happened in my life; my entire family has accepted Christ as (their) Savior!" Source of Hope is grateful to have Glancy as one of our teachers and we’re excited to see what the future holds for her.

Children's Day Celebration

October 1 is celebrated as Children's Day in Guatemala. The staff loves celebrating their students and just letting them “be kids” for the day. The day is celebrated with the teachers dressing in silly costumes with a dash of delicious food, games, dancing, and music! We at Source of Hope thank God for each of these children and are honored to celebrate them on this special day.

New Kids at Santo Domingo North

In early September, 25 new students joined our school! The newest class of three-year-olds was chosen from among the most needy families living within a mile of the school. And now, these new kids are getting into the rhythm of life at their new school - studying, hanging out with friends, celebrating birthdays, and having fun.

In many cases, these children have teenage moms and absentee dads; consequently, the children wind up being raised by their grandmothers. Tragically, this is a common situation among the poor in the Dominican Republic. At Santo Domingo North school, we usually have more student-candidates than space in a classroom, so it is quite challenging to decide on whom to admit.

On the positive side, those who join our school are far more likely to graduate from high school, be healthy emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and have a positive impact on their family and community. Please pray that each of these new students will grow to be agents of change for God in their homes, families, communities, and country. 

Children play, pray, and proudly display their artwork.

Every year Kids Alive offices around the globe set aside a day to praise and thank God for His blessings. This year the Global Day of Prayer was on the 8th of October. All staff and students took time to worship and praise God for his amazing love and provisions. Pre-schoolers to high-schoolers joined their teachers in prayer for the work at their own sites and for all of Kids Alive's work around the world.

At Casa Ester these young survivors get a second chance at life. The quiet surroundings, sustained abuse and trauma counseling, education, and skills training programs – in a nurturing and caring environment – lift the spirits of girls coming from abusive homes and set them on the path to healing. Kids Alive's mission is to display God's love in action in keeping with Matt 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me." It's the way our girls move from surviving to thriving!

Liliana* grew up in a seemingly “healthy” family, but she held a dark and painful secret.

One day Liliana began to be sexually abused by a family member. Her abuser threatened her not to tell anyone. Scared for her life, she kept the painful secret to herself. Liliana was 11 when the abuse began.

Following months of abuse, Liliana couldn’t endure it anymore and mustered up the courage to share her pain with her mother. That conversation left her more vulnerable and even more fearful.

Though she believed Liliana, her mother’s hands were tied and she took no action. Soon, another adult member of the community abused Liliana. Once again she reported the incident to her mother, and again, received no help. Terrified of further abuse, Liliana took the painful step of leaving her family, moving out of her home to live with her extended family further from her remote town north of Guatemala City.

Soon after her move, Liliana found out that she was pregnant. Terrified of what lay ahead and with the fear of further abuse, she sought shelter in a government-run girl's home.

During her short stay at the government home, Liliana pursued her studies, received counseling, and gave birth to her baby when she 16 years old. However, the under-resourced government shelter wasn’t the best place for Liliana to grow up or raise her baby.

Soon after her baby’s birth, Kids Alive International heard of Liliana’s plight and invited her and her baby to stay at La Arquilla, Oasis’ home for child-moms. At Oasis, Liliana began to attend trauma-focused therapy, receive individualized education, and learned to care for her baby as a new mom. Liliana also began to take sewing classes.

Soon her teachers and house parents were impressed with Liliana’s overall progress and quick adjustment to her new situation. They found Liliana to be quiet but fiercely determined. Her bravery and sweet demeanor is both endearing and inspiring to all those around her.

At Oasis, Liliana also learned about God’s love for her and her baby. She recently decided to be baptized. At her baptism, she emerged out of the water with a broad smile on her face, proclaiming that she is a child of God, chosen, powerful, clean, and a work of art. All those who know Liliana agree.

The Lord is doing tremendous work in Liliana’s heart, raising her up as a leader, and rewriting her story. From a scared child, a victim of sexual abuse, a child-mom, Liliana is now emerging as a strong, loving mom who brings smiles to the faces of all those around her.

During her time at La Arquilla, Liliana was assigned to a Mentor Family. Mentor Families are a part of Kids Alive's innovative program where caring Guatemalan Christian families visit, encourage, and provide mentorship to survivors of sexual abuse and young moms without families. Occasionally, Mentor Families seek Kids Alive’s assistance to be trained as foster parents or guardians. As it turned out, Liliana’s Mentor Family stepped forward to seek this training and then surprised Liliana by inviting her and her baby to be a part of their family.

The young teenage-mom, once abused and afraid, has found new hope in her identity in Christ and a new Christian family that loves both her and her child.

*Name changed to protect identity

With summer vacation behind them, children eagerly return to school to reconnect with their friends and begin a new school session. But first, they had a little more of summer fun…..!

When the usually cheerful Meredith* arrived at the discipleship group looking distraught, everyone noticed the missing smile on her face. After worship, the students divided into groups of five to six to share and pray for each other. As they shared their prayer requests, Meredith burst into tears and poured out her heart to the members of her small group.

At the end of the group prayer, Sarah, an older student who hadn't heard of Meredith’s plight, independently sensed God’s leading to pray for Meredith. So she asked the larger discipleship group members to pray.

The entire group surrounded Meredith asking God to comfort her, her family, for their safety and for His provisions, and that God would continue to work in their lives. After prayer, as the group left for their homes, Meredith walked out of the room feeling comforted and with her usual smile restored.

It wasn’t until later Meredith shared that while her mother was walking home from the church alone the previous evening, a man had threatened to attack her. In response, her mother prayed out loud, and the man stopped in his tracks. Meredith’s mother was shaken, but physically unharmed.

We are thankful for God’s hand of protection over Meredith’s mother and thankful for the sense of community that our students are finding in the discipleship group. Our goal is to create a safe place in which students can openly share their struggles and concerns. We are also in awe of how God is growing students like Sarah to be bold and act on what He is revealing them.

*Name changed to protect privacy

After summer vacation, school starts with hope and new beginnings. Young students exuberantly regale their friends with their vacation adventures; some of our older students, often survivors of abuse, celebrate caring new mentor families or guardian parents. For young child-moms and their babies, mentors and "forever families" mean a chance for a new life, a reminder of God's abundance and provision. 

Behind every successful Kids Alive program is a dedicated staff member committed to serving children. Many children in our programs come from at-risk situations with a history of abuse, neglect, and other situations causing trauma. Ministering to them holistically - addressing their physical, emotional, spiritual and other needs, requires having psychologists on staff at Kids Alive schools. This past school year, we hired Alexandra as our new psychologist, and she's been a great blessing to the students and staff. She works closely with students who need help with behavioral issues as well as focusing on their studies. Alexandra is one of the school's Trauma Competent Caregiving Champions. Cory Pisano, Service Team Host and Sponsorship Coordinator for Park School, spoke with Alexandra recently.  

Cory Pisano (CP):  Tell me a little about yourself.

Alexandra: My name is Alexandra Ortiz. I was born in Cantabria, Puerto Plata. My father is Dominican, and my mother was born in Haiti. My mother returned to Haiti when I was one year old, so I don't know her at all.

I am a licensed psychologist.  I studied psychology in Puerto Plata at Universidad Tecnologica de Santiago. I have been married for two years and have a one-year-old son.

CP:  What started your interest in psychology?

Alexandra: I've always had an interest in science and dreamed of working for NASA in the United States. However, I knew that was very difficult, so when I entered university and was exploring career options, I fell in love with psychology because of its universal importance to life in general.

CP: What does a typical school day look like for you?

Alexandra: Realistically there isn't a normal day at the school; however, my role at the school involves a lot of observation in the classrooms. I observe the students and how they interact with one another to get to know their behaviors. I work closely with the principal of the school, and when there are conflicts between students that require further deeper investigation to resolve, I work with them one on one. I also work with family members to understand how these specific students act at home so I can help them with their behavior.

CP: What is your favorite part of this job? What has been the biggest blessing?

Alexandra: My favorite part of the job is when a student who has trouble learning or is struggling with personal issues comes to me for guidance and help. I'm able to understand them, encourage them, and help them be more successful in the classroom. Seeing them succeed and realize their potential is the greatest blessing.

CP: How has this transformed your life? Have you seen any transformation in kids?

Alexandra: Being in this position has had a major effect on my life. The trauma competent caregiving training that we received as a school staff allowed me to understand events from my past in a different way that brought me so much clarity. Also, being a mother has changed the way I interact with my son as well. A child who I have seen transformed is Abigail*. This past year I worked closely with Abigail, who is almost completely blind. I taught her how to read Braille, which will allow her to learn and succeed so much more in the future.

CP: What are your goals for this school year?

Alexandra: One goal I have for this year is for more students to have an improved ability to learn in the classroom. Another goal is that everything that we talk about emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually will allow them to make better decisions in their future.

*Name changed to protect privacy

The school year ended with the little ones graduating from their class before the summer vacation in July. August saw those returning from vacation eager to reconnect with their friends, while some newcomers suffered from first-day jitters! The start of the new school year also saw the older students being prepped to enter the workforce during the Youth Survivor Camp.

Evan* is conflicted, and it's over a serious issue. After all, it concerns his future when he grows up. But it's a welcome conflict over whether to pursue a career in business or become a teacher.

The 8th grader is dreaming big and that puts him ahead of many children in his neighborhood. With few resources and limited educational opportunities, it is rare for most children in his community to dream big. But that is changing.  

Evan’s father ekes out a living clearing farmland while his mother cares for the children and home. Lacking resources, both parents dropped out of school in the second grade, keeping them in a world of long, hard hours of labor with poor wages.  

Under-resourced schools and poor educational infrastructure defines a child's future, often locking them into a cycle of poverty. Hence, most children in Evan's neighborhood wind up in the footsteps of their parents, harvesting sugar cane, coffee beans, or clearing land for cultivation.

That cycle was broken when three years ago Evan transferred from the poorly resourced local school to the Kids Alive's Source of Hope School. This set Evan on a new path and new ambitions.

When asked to compare how school is different from his earlier schooling experience, he says, “At Source of Hope, the classes are more challenging, the staff and teachers are friendlier and I am learning more."

Source of Hope staff strive to create a nurturing environment for children coming from at-risk situations by providing them with a holistic education.

This holistic education includes meeting children’s all-round physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs. Evan is an active member of the discipleship group that meets at his school in the afternoons. He says he enjoys group meetings and being with his friends while learning more about Jesus. He’s made two close friends in this group and they've been a great support and comfort to him while he went through rough times.

Source of Hope School has repeatedly exceeded education standards set by the Guatemala’s Ministry of Education. The fruits of this quality education can be seen in many students who, like Evan, are dreaming big and doing well to pursue their dreams. Those who once aimed to become hired farmhands like their parents now dream of becoming teachers, social workers, business persons, and doctors.

We are so grateful to watch God breaking the cycle of despair which once held the village of Zapote in bondage. Evan is just one of the many examples of what God is doing here.

*name changed.

While summer vacation was a blast, kids enjoyed being back in school!

"The first day of class, a place where I learn and have fun!” read the welcoming sign lovingly made by the teachers of Palo Blanco for their three-year-old new students and those returning after summer vacation.

Despite the new faces and routine, and the distance from their parents, the three-year-olds seem to be enjoying their new school giving it an air of celebration.

The dedication of Palo Blanco's teachers makes the school a welcoming and nurturing place for the kids.

Kids Alive strives to make every site a place where children can experience love, joy, and friendships, laying a foundation for their faith. Whether it's cooking or art class, training sessions or the playing field, God's love is shared with all the children in La Arquilla. This expression of love assumes greater poignancy for these teenage moms and their children. You can see it reflected back at you in the smiles on their faces.

Located on the side of a terraced hill and surrounded by lush tropical greenery, Ark Jarabacoa provides children a soothing setting in a nurturing environment, where they can move from surviving to thriving. Site Partnership makes it possible for at-risk children to study, establish friendships, and develop a close relationship with God. Here are some of our kids enjoying their lovely surroundings.

Another day to celebrate friendships with smiles at Source of Hope!

The crafting of bead necklaces, bracelets, and earrings at Casa Ester gives abused girls and young women opportunities to express themselves through art therapy for trauma-related pain while developing marketable skills. The concentration and focus needed for jewelry-making takes their minds off trauma, channeling their energy into creativity while restoring a sense of control over their lives.

Recess at Park School is a fun time to catch up with friends, play on the field, and climb the jungle gym!

Behind every smiling child's face is a dedicated Ark Constanza staff member quietly working behind the scenes - cooking, sweeping floors, washing laundry, and doing many other chores to ensure Ark Constanza bears witness to God's love, even in the small things.

Health, dental, and vision checkups and care are integral to our work at Eva Russell School to ensure children's all-round development.

Coming from poor neighborhoods children have little space to hang out to with each other in their small tin-roofed homes. Palo Blanco offers space to be with friends and have fun together.

In keeping with the Bible, families are central to our work among children at Ark Jarabacoa. Residential care is part of the journey for some children, but our goal is that each child may someday be raised in a family.

The smiles and bonds of friendship celebrate the joy which comes from deep within. At ANIJA everyone involved is committed to making it a place where children can thrive.

Scaling new heights

Kids Alive supporter Rick Poole, who successfully scaled Mt. Everest’s 29,035 feet high summit last week, has safely returned to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and is now getting ready to fly back to his home in the Chicago area. Rick climbed Everest to raise awareness and support for children in crisis.

Rick with his climbing companions.

“We congratulate Rick on his success in scaling the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest,” said Matt Parker, President of Kids Alive International. He added, “We admire Rick for his tenacity and dedication in scaling Mt. Everest, the very same qualities that he brings to support children in crisis through Kids Alive.”

In a recorded message sent from the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu, Rick said that he flew on three helicopters to get to Nepal’s capital from Everest. In his usual understated way, Rick added, “So, I lost 23 pounds – that is the official number, which is a lot of pounds…”

Celebrating over dinner after losing 23 pounds in 50 days!

Rick left for Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, over 50 days ago in mid-March, making his way to Lukla and then on to the four camps before summiting Everest on May 23, 11:15 am, Nepal time.

Thanks so much to those of you who followed Rick’s climb and who offered prayers for his and his team’s safety and success. And we are particularly thankful to those of you who sponsored Rick’s climb to support children through the ministry of Kids Alive.

Record breaking news!

Kids Alive supporter Rick Poole has now exceeded Noah’s “40 day” record! Unlike Noah, however, Rick is not in an ark on water, but trudging in snowshoes soled with Jaws’ teeth, crossing deep crevasses on flexible aluminum ladders.

In Rick’s latest audio message, he documents his 41^st day on the mountain, his weakened voice and labored breathing competing with the howling winds around him. Between gulps of air, he describes his climb from Camp 1 to Camp 2 and the stamina it demanded. Now at 21,500 feet above sea level, the formidable challenge that Everest poses becomes even more real.

“That [Khumbu] icefall is crazy beautiful – a little scary, but beautiful. Everyone did great,” says Rick. This weekend he and his team will scale Camp 3 at an altitude 24,000 feet, a new record for Rick and his fellow climbers.

Scaling Everest requires going up, then down, and then back up again! At this altitude, climbing is a tremendous strain on the body, and returning to a lower altitude relaxes it, building resilience to then climb even higher. The journey from here gets steeper, as Rick scales the face of the world’s fourth-highest peak, Lhotse, at a gradient of 30 degrees on his way to the top of Mt. Everest.

Rick Poole, veteran mountain climber, businessman, husband, father, and longtime supporter of Kids Alive, is climbing Mt. Everest to raise $29,035 for at-risk children and orphans. That is $1 for every one of the 29,035 feet he will climb! Rick’s goal is to honor and support the children of Dominican Republic as they scale the mountains in their own lives and climb toward bright futures.

Please join Rick with your financial and prayer support and follow his ascent via this blog and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsAlive/

Teed up to scale Mt Everest’s peak

In the latest voice message sent via sat phone earlier today, Kids Alive supporter and veteran mountain climber Rick Poole, sounding tired yet confident, said he and his team are now teed up to scale Mt Everest’s peak early tomorrow (Nepal Time).

Rick and his team are now 6,000 feet shy of Mt Everest’s summit as they await their turn to scale the peak. At 23,500 feet above sea level, Rick is about 3,000 feet higher than the summit of Mount Denali which he climbed a few years ago.

The vagaries of weather at this altitude impose a narrow window of time to scale Mt. Everest’s summit. This is compounded by the fact that there is only one-lane passage to go up as well as to descend Everest. To avoid traffic jams and ensure safety, the climbers are led to the top in batches.

This year Nepal Department of Tourism has issued a record number of Everest climbing permits: 381. According to The Himalayan Times, over 200 climbers attempted to scale Everest’s summit this morning. Accompanying the climbers to ensure their safe passage as well as to carry climbing gear are 500 local expert Sherpa climbers.

Rick, in his usual understated way, commented, “Walked up here this morning, went up the Lhotse Face again. A little slower going today, not because of us – it was a pretty busy day on the ropes and these people are having a hard day and there's really nowhere to go, so it's okay.” Lhotse Face runs at a steep incline of 30 degrees covered with snow and ice.

Rick Poole, veteran mountain climber, businessman, husband, father, and longtime supporter of Kids Alive, is committed to raising $1 for every one of the 29,035 feet he will climb! Rick’s goal is to benefit the children of Dominican Republic as they scale the mountains in their own lives and climb toward bright futures.

Please join Rick with your financial and prayer support and follow his final ascent via this blog and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsAlive/.

Rick Poole and his family with Kami Rita Sherpa who has scaled Mount Everest 25 times and is now Rick's climbing guide.

Summiting Mt. Everest

Kids Alive supporter Rick Poole made it to the top of the world’s highest peak!

Rick With Kids Alive Flag at Base Camp

In the latest report received by Kids Alive from Camp 4, Rick successfully made it to the rooftop of the world at 29,035 feet above sea level on 23 May at 11:15 am local time.

The Geneva Spur

Rick’s every step to the top of Mt. Everest had to be meticulously calibrated, tested, and then executed. There was no room for mistakes. One misstep could plunge him down the face of Mt. Lhotse at an incline of 30-40 degrees, or worse, send him down one of the many bottomless crevasses in the Khumbu Ice Fall. Each step came with a grim reminder of his fragility and mortality.

This is similar to the reality faced by many children before they arrive at a Kids Alive site.

Rick was moved by the sight of some of the children he encountered during his visit to Dominican Republic with Kids Alive. It moved him profoundly enough to commit to raise $1 for every foot he climbed to the top of Everest. Rick is raising money, as he puts it, “to put a smile on the faces” of children. These are at-risk kids who navigate the formidable Everests in their own lives, climbs which, without your intervention, can lead them down deep crevasses of injustice and poverty.

Camp 4

Rick and his fellow climbers left Camp 4 at 26,400 feet and trudged all the way up via South Col to reach the summit, scaling the last and the most treacherous 2,635 feet leading to the summit over an area known as the “Death Zone.” This last section had to be scaled within 24 hours as the altitude, weather, and physical endurance of the human body is subjected to extreme conditions. One 55-year-old climber from Utah who went ahead of Rick is believed to have died of cardiac arrest on his way back from the summit.

Will you join us in praying Rick and his team back down the mountain safely? And please encourage him by “putting a smile on the children’s faces” – give a gift that represents 200, 100, or 50 feet of Rick’s climb to the top!

Rick with his family at Base Camp

Click below to watch more on climbing Mt. Everest, courtesy Google Earth:

Twelve-year-old Diana* is the oldest child in her family and takes on a lot of responsibility for running the house, including doing all the cooking and cleaning. She lives with her younger sister, her uncle, and her father, who doesn’t have a stable income. There are often not enough resources to provide for the needs of everyone in the house, so Diana is thrilled to be learning and growing at ANIJA, where she is receiving an education she otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford, and enjoying activities like playing on the school soccer team with other girls her age.

Diana is an excellent student and athlete, loves studying the Bible, and faithfully takes her little sister to church. We are thankful that she feels comfortable with one of our staff members, often going to her for counseling when she is troubled. When she finishes high school, she wants to go to college so that she’ll be better able to help her father and other relatives.

*name changed to protect privacy

Sarah* and her brother Daniel* were among the first kids to enter Casa Monte Plata when it opened over 12 years ago. Previously, they had been almost living at the Eva Russell School due to an unstable, dysfunctional family situation.

While continuing to attend the school, Sarah blossomed in the environment at Casa Monte Plata where she finally had a peaceful, loving home. She began to thrive spiritually, academically, and physically. Two years ago, she finished high school, moved into our independence home, and began studying accounting at the university level on a Kids Alive scholarship. What a joy it was for us to hire Sarah as a full-time accountant and administrative assistant at Casa Monte Plata! It is wonderful to watch a needy, vulnerable child be transformed into a vibrant Christian who humbly serves others with her skills and abilities. Her joy and passion are a gift to everyone in our community.

*name changed to protect privacy

Climbing Mt. Everest

Rick arrived at Mt. Everest Base Camp yesterday (04/11)! You can see him photo holding Kids Alive flag at 17,500 feet above sea level, a flag that will travel with him to the summit of Mt Everest in the third week of May.

It took Rick and his team members 11 days to trek for Lukla to Everest Base Camp as shown in this map. Along the way they stopped in small villages for meals and overnight stays.

As you can see from Rick’s photo of the Base Camp, the accommodations are luxurious – a fancy hotel with hot showers, spas, room-service and fine Italian dining! Ha! Actually, to the contrary, Rick and the mountaineers will live a rustic life in these tents for the next three weeks as they acclimatize to the rarified high altitude air, the cold, and unpredictable weather conditions, before launching out on the final assault to Mt Everest’s peak. There is one thing that will dominate their horizon, defining every moment of their next three week stay here. That is Mt Everest, seen in the middle of the photo.

Rick is dedicated to raising $1.00 for every one of the 29,035 feet he will climb to the top of the world’s highest summit, with the hopes of putting smiles on the faces of children scaling their own difficult journeys.

If you’ve never heard of Sagamartha or Chomolungma, you’re probably not alone. But chances are, you’ve seen pictures of this place. And if you’re one of the more adventurous types, you might have even secretly wished to scale it yourself.

Curious? Read on…Rick Poole, an adventurer, businessman, husband, father, and longtime supporter of Kids Alive, is up to something big.

A veteran mountaineer, Rick has five of the world’s highest summits under his belt and he’s well on his way to a sixth. But this one is different: he’s climbing to raise $29,035.00 for at-risk children and orphans. If that seems like an odd number, don’t worry because we’ll circle back to it.

First, let’s take a look at life as an at-risk child.Scaling the world’s highest peaks is an intensely demanding activity. Every step counts. Sadly, that is the reality that millions of children around the world face every day. Instead of a dangerous precipice, these children face abject poverty, hunger, illness, exploitation, and abuse. A misstep means becoming another sad statistic instead of reaching their full potential.

The unusual fundraising goal that Rick has set will go toward helping children climb life’s steps with strength and confidence. Before leaving on this adventure, Rick told Kids Alive, “With every step of this risky climb, I will be thinking of the poor and often traumatized children whose faces greeted me in Dominican Republic when I traveled there with Kids Alive. I want to create more smiles!”

Rick is dedicated to raising $1.00 for every one of the 29,035 feet he will climb to the top of the world’s highest summit, with the hopes of putting smiles on the faces of children scaling their own difficult journeys. The peak Rick is climbing, known to the Nepalese people as “Sagamartha” and to the Tibetans as “Chomolungma”, is what we call Mt. Everest.

Rick is expected to arrive at Mt. Everest Base Camp, located at 17,500 feet above sea level, later this week. After a period of acclimatization and preparation, Rick will make his way to the summit of Everest during the third week of May.

"Photo above: Rick Poole with wife Meagan and daughter Sydney, along with Rick's Mt. Everest guide, Kami Rita Sherpa. Kami holds the current world record with 23 summits on Mt. Everest!"

Learn about our ministry at Casa Ester.

Marta’s* story began with unimaginable heartbreak and pain. As a young girl, she suffered years of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of people who should have protected her. She was in a group home when her care was transferred to Kids Alive. When she arrived at Oasis, she would spend long periods of time crying or lashing out in anger, and then would withdraw, not trusting anyone. Because she could not see well, nearly blind in one eye, Marta believed she was stupid and would never be able to complete an education. Her whole life seemed hopeless.

God has done a miraculous work in her. Consistent love and attention, along with psychological therapy, slowly began to help her break down defenses and begin the long process of healing from her past. Corrective lenses have given her confidence that she can succeed, and she is beginning to recover lost ground from so many years out of school. In the past year, Marta has emerged as a natural leader who speaks honestly to her peers and shows great self-motivation. And she finally feels accepted by her Oasis family and mentor family who have poured into her life.

Most importantly, she says to the other girls at Oasis, “If God can change me and my life, He can change yours.”

*name changed to protect privacy

The steep mountainside in Manchay, Peru, is covered with a multitude of ramshackle huts clinging precariously to the rocky slopes.

The higher up the mountain you live, the bleaker the terrain becomes – and the poorer you are.Margarita has lived in Manchay for eight years, arriving here after the sudden death of her husband. She was pregnant with her fifth child at the time. Living on the mountain in a hovel with no electricity or running water – and with five hungry mouths to feed on very little income – she soon became desperate.

Wiping tears from her eyes, Margarita shares with me how everything was transformed for her family: “When I came to Kids Alive, I had no hope,” she says. “I came to ask for help for my children. The first thing I received when I came through the gates was a big hug from one of the staff. I felt so welcome.”

Margarita’s children were quickly enrolled in the Oasis, Kids Alive’s school and care center program in Manchay – and she joined our program for single mothers where she was trained in practical skills. Here she heard the most precious gift we could offer her – the Good News of Jesus. Margarita soon became a passionate follower of Christ. “My whole life changed,” she shared simply. “I love Jesus. I now have hope.”

Today, Margarita works at the Oasis as a cleaner and so has a steady income to support her family.

As we stand outside her tiny home on the mountainside, I ask her how Kids Alive’s supporters can pray for her. Her response is immediate. She wants to see her oldest son, who hasn’t made a commitment yet, to come to know Jesus. And she asks that all of her children may continue to do well in school, so they can one day get employment and break out of poverty.

Margarita’s tenacity, humility, and faith were inspiring to me. Please keep her, and her precious children, in your prayers!

Abraham* is a child who needed support at a critical point in his life. He lives in a run-down house with his mother and grandmother, who both make very little money working as maids. A few years ago, his father was sent to prison, and though he was released, he stays in hiding from people who are angry with him. Abraham can occasionally go visit his father in the countryside, but that doesn’t make up for the lack of his presence at home. Between their poverty and the family upheaval, Abraham was struggling in many ways.

When he first came to our school, he was quite behind his classmates academically and wouldn’t communicate much. His teachers would comment that it was like a shell of a child sitting in a chair.We began to see a difference in him when his class started praying daily for God to work in his father’s life. Those prayers were changing Abraham! He is now interested in learning, pays attention in class, and completes all his homework with excellence. An affectionate boy, he loves his fellow students and is very responsive to the guidance from our teachers. It’s amazing to see how he has grown, and we are thankful that we’ve been able to be part of that. Our prayer is that Abraham will continue to lean on Jesus and trust Him with his future.

*name changed to protect privacy

In the remote region of Zapote, poverty is a reality for most of the people. Crops are hard to grow, jobs scarce and low-paying, and many children do not attend school. Daniella’s* story is one of hope in a bleak situation. She lives with her parents, siblings, and grandparents in a small house, and they must live on the small, irregular income from her father’s work. Because of their poor living conditions, Daniella’s health often suffers and she struggles with lung function.

But now that she is attending Source of Hope, she receives daily nutritious meals that are helping her to grow stronger. The quality education and attentive care by our staff are giving Daniella the opportunity for a brighter future, in a country where girls are often undervalued. Her teachers comment that she is a good example to the other children, interacting well with her fellow classmates. We rejoice that she is growing in her own faith and is committed to following God’s path for her life.

*name changed to protect privacy

Yefri* has dealt with more tragedy than a kid his age should ever experience. For the first few years of his life, he lived in a home with constant violence, as his father was extremely abusive. He would abuse the mother even while she was pregnant. Eventually, his father killed his mother, and he is now in prison. This shattered Yefri’s world, and he was sent to live with his grandmother. Though she loves him very much, his grandmother knows how much he needs emotional support to help him heal from the past, as well as a good education that she can’t provide.

The road to healing will not be easy for Yefri. He needs a lot of counseling, affection, and stability as he moves forward. At Casa Monte Plata, he is beginning to learn how to accept love, form healthy relationships, and understand what a healthy family looks like. We pray that he will understand more every day about how much Jesus loves him, and that true healing can only come through Him. Yefri’s future seemed bleak at best after what he endured, and yet now Kids Alive is privileged to be part of offering him hope.

*name changed to protect privacy

From the time Lisbeth* came to Fountain of Living Water School, she seemed uninterested in learning, often staring off in a daze. She was visibly malnourished, with thin hair and protruding bones. When given food, she ate slowly and awkwardly, struggled to breathe normally, and was lethargic. Her teacher would try to get her involved but had to call her name several times to get a response. However, it was obvious that she wanted to be involved, because she came to school early looking for direction each day. Sadly, when she tried to join in activities, other students got frustrated with repeating themselves and began to avoid her. She cried almost daily.

But one day, her life changed! School staff took her to several doctors out of concern, finally seeing an ENT specialist in the capital city. Constant ear infections and structural problems had stolen most of her hearing and caused many of the other health problems she had experienced. After suffering in silence, unable to sleep, eat, or communicate well, Lisbeth needed three surgeries to clear her airways and restore her hearing. Once she recovered, it was as if the whole world opened!

She was soon full of energy, playing, laughing, and catching up with her peers academically. At home, her mother saw a huge difference in her, and marveled at the changes. Without KidsAlive, Lisbeth would likely have lost all hearing and been left with no education or hope for the future. But now she dreams of becoming a doctor and helping others get the kind of help that changed her life.

*name changed to protect privacy

There are so many children in Dominican Republic who come from tragic circumstances and never find hope and help. Camila’s* story could have ended this way, and yet God intervened. Growing up in a troubled household, she was one of ten siblings who have the same mother but several different fathers. Her own father is in prison and her mother seems incapable of caring for the children physically or emotionally. No one in the family can read or write, and education for the children was not a priority.

Despite her past and the obstacles she faced, Camila has shown us what can happen when a child knows that someone cares. She is a determined learner, attentive to her studies, and faithfully attends school every day. Education is a critical part of ending cycles of poverty and violence, and we are thankful that she now has a chance at a brighter future. And now that she is hearing daily about the love of Jesus, we pray that Camila will be used by Him to take the good news back to her family.

*name changed to protect privacy

Like many of the children we serve, Gaby* is originally from Haiti, and lives with her family in poverty. Haitian families in Dominican Republic often experience discrimination and struggle to find jobs or quality education. Living in a small storefront where her father sells his metal work to tourists, her family has no running water or reliable electricity. Since they are among the poorest in the village, they struggle just to have enough to eat, making it impossible to pay for school tuition or other resources.

Now that she is at Kids Alive, Gaby is a thriving student! She has grown in confidence and maturity, quick to help anyone at home or school. A natural leader, she participates enthusiastically in all activities, loves to be part of a group, and is respectful to her teachers. Her goal is to continue studying hard so that she can one day become a doctor. Most importantly, she is learning more about Jesus, and she asks for prayer that she will love Him more every day and trust Him to take care of her family

.*name changed to protect privacy

At the age of three, Martin* got into the family car and rode with his parents to a deserted place outside of town, completely unaware of how his life would drastically change. His father was a jealous, abusive man who often injured his mother. On this trip, while Martin looked on in horror, his father killed his mother. He then called a taxi with their location before killing himself. When the taxi driver found this little boy crying hysterically, he took him to the police station. Authorities located his grandmother, and she came to take him home. But despite her love for him, she knew she could not address all of his needs in the wake of this trauma.

Martin’s grandmother came to Kids Alive for help, and we quickly accepted him into our ANIJA School and began counseling for him and the family. For the first year following the death of his parents, couldn’t sleep at night, waking up screaming and begging not to be killed. As months passed, our staff worked hard to create a warm and safe environment for him, and he slowly began to trust again and learn about the love of God.

Now he always wears a smile, is a joy to be around, and the other kids in his class want to be around him. At the end of his first year, Martin received the class award for “Most Friendly”. This was a highlight for the family and, along with the other benefits and resources from attending ANIJA, gives them great hope for the future.

*name changed to protect privacy

Like so many kids in Dominican Republic, Joseph* lives a harsh life in poverty. He lives with his mother and siblings in a small, one-room house, and they have few possessions. Sadly, his father is not part of his life and doesn’t take responsibility for him or help the family financially.

So his mother does her best to provide for them by cleaning houses. Just making ends meet is a constant struggle, and they realize that without support and encouragement from Kids Alive, surviving would be nearly impossible.Now that Joseph is attending Constanza School, he is thriving.

Even in his first year he made many friends, and is especially enjoying learning to write. He generally spends his free time drawing or playing soccer with his classmates, and we love seeing his personality emerge. More than anything, the education he is now receiving gives him hope for a brighter future! And what a blessing it is to daily share the good news about the love of Jesus with this precious boy.

*name changed to protect privacy