Each morning when he entered his classroom at Dar El Awlad School (DEA) in Lebanon, tears streamed down his face. The moment he sat at his table, a quiet wall seemed to rise between him and the rest of the class. He struggled to participate, he couldn’t regroup to focus, he was distant from his peers and the curiosity they had in their lessons.
It wasn’t defiance or fear of school itself. It was something heavier — sadness his small body did not yet have words for.
Omar is six years old and growing up in the long shadow of displacement.
A Childhood Shaped by Exile
Omar’s family is Syrian. Like many who crossed into Lebanon over the past decade, they left their homeland during the upheaval of the Syrian civil war — a season when violence, economic collapse, and instability reshaped daily life. Their new reality in Lebanon has included crowded housing, informal employment, and the persistent uncertainty that marks displacement.
Yet this is not a story of broken bonds. It is the story of a family living in exile — striving to rebuild together in unfamiliar soil, working each day to create stability for their children amid fragile circumstances.
Scripture speaks often of exile. God’s people knew what it meant to live far from home, to raise children in lands that did not feel fully theirs. And throughout Scripture, the Lord calls His people to love the sojourner: “Love the foreigner, therefore, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19).
For Omar, the strain of his displacement surfaced in his tears.
When Grief Has No Words
At Dar El Awlad School, teachers noticed his unsteadiness beneath the surface. Transitions were overwhelming and little body often seemed tense, as if expecting something to go wrong.
Children who grow up amid prolonged uncertainty can remain on high alert. Even when no immediate danger is present, their nervous systems struggle to rest. In a classroom, that can look like withdrawal, agitation, or persistent crying.
But at DEA, distress is not treated as misbehavior and signals the need for deeper care.
Dar El Awlad School was designed to be more than a place of academic instruction. It is a restorative learning environment that meets emotional, physical, and spiritual needs together. Students experience structured routines, trauma-informed teaching, daily meals, and individualized academic support. Teachers are trained to respond with patience and steadiness. Prayer, Bible stories, and gospel conversations are woven naturally into the day, grounding children in the truth that they are seen and loved by God.
The school also maintains relational connection with families, offering encouragement and consistency that strengthens the home as well as the classroom. For families navigating exile, that steady presence matters deeply.
For Omar, that consistency became a turning point.
His teacher knelt beside him at the round table he shares with classmates. She routinely asked what he needed, offering presence rather than pressure. And then something unexpected happened.
Childlike Faith
One day, as Omar sat at his table in tears, a little girl in his class — also six years old — approached the teacher and said, “Miss, why don’t you pray to Jesus and He will help him?”
Most of the children in this classroom come from Muslim refugee families. For many of them, Dar El Awlad School is their first sustained exposure to the stories of Scripture and prayer in Jesus’ name. Day by day, they are learning that God listens and that He cares for them personally.
The teacher agreed to pray. “When we began to pray, every child in the class — without exception — closed their eyes and bowed their heads. It was so sincere. And as we prayed, Omar stopped crying.”
She admitted she was cautious at first.
“I didn’t want to rush to share the story. I decided to wait and see what would happen in the days that followed.”
She continued watching him carefully.
“Two weeks passed, and he hasn’t shed a single tear. But more than that, his whole attitude shifted. He’s participating now. He’s smiling. He’s engaging with the other children.”
The change was not only emotional, but visible across the classroom. Omar began joining lessons with curiosity. He interacted freely with his peers. The quiet wall that once kept him separated from learning gradually came down.
When a child experiences consistent safety — not just in a single moment, but day after day — their body begins to settle. With steady love and predictable care, trust grows. Participation becomes possible, and learning can flourish.
Bearing Witness
What makes this moment especially remarkable is that the idea to pray came from the children themselves. Six-year-olds, navigating life in exile alongside their families, are beginning to understand that Jesus is near. In a moment of need, they reached for Him naturally.
This transformation did not come from a single prayer alone. It was the fruit of daily faithfulness — structured classrooms, nourishing meals, compassionate teachers, and spiritual formation gently integrated into ordinary life.
In a school filled largely with Muslim refugee children, Dar El Awlad School bears witness to Christ through love that perseveres. The holistic support students receive — academic, emotional, relational, and spiritual — flows from the conviction that every child is created in God’s image and worthy of dignity.
Omar’s tears once kept him from learning. Today, he participates fully in his classroom community. His story reflects what happens when compassionate education and Christ-centered care meet children navigating displacement.
Healing often begins quietly.
Sometimes, it begins with a classroom of children bowing their heads in prayer — and a little boy discovering that he is not alone.
Become a Student Champion
Your support helps children like Omar experience education that heals — steady care, safe classrooms, and the life-changing truth that they are deeply loved. Become a Student Champion today and help hope take root.
For two years, Sasha Reyes has served as a caregiver at a Kids Alive Peru home, offering gentle, consistent support to children in their restoration journeys. But her desire to serve others began long before arriving in Peru.
Back in Venezuela, Sasha worked with children and youth as a scout leader and often felt drawn to work rooted in care and guidance. When she learned about Kids Alive, she saw both the need and the opportunity to serve in a Christian organization, which made her decision even more meaningful.
Today, she sees her work as part of God’s invitation to walk closely with children who need compassion, stability, and hope.
Joy in Everyday Moments
Sasha brings warmth to the home in simple but meaningful ways. Earlier this year, she adopted a cat that had once lived on the property. Sasha cared for her and the kittens she had. "I’ve since found homes for most of them," she says. "It’s been a really sweet experience."
Walking With Children Toward Hope
Some of the deepest work Sasha does happens in the quiet, slow process of helping children learn to trust again. One of her biggest challenges is connecting with kids who find it difficult to receive love. Many have lived through seasons when they did not feel safe or valued, and they guard their hearts as a way of protecting themselves.
Sasha responds by being a present source of love in their lives. Sometimes she attends school activities outside of work so the children know they matter. Her approach is simple but powerful: demonstrtrating that each child is important and worth showing up for. "It’s about showing them that they can trust and that they are truly seen," she says.
Restoring Confidence Through Encouragement
One moment Sasha will never forget happened during a visit from Chef Giacomo Bocchio earlier this year. A girl under Kids Alive's care who usually hid her artwork decided to share one of her paintings. Giacomo’s wife noticed, called her husband over, and together they encouraged the girl to continue developing her talent. They even offered support for her artistic growth.
Sasha mentions, "That small moment was powerful — it gave her so much confidence and helped her see herself and her gift in a new light. It was truly moving." Moments like these remind Sasha of how God uses everyday encounters to restore hope and identity in children’s lives.
A Life of Service Rooted in Faith
For those considering nonprofit ministry, Sasha believes it must be a calling from God. The work is full of blessings, but also moments of weakness and self-doubt. In those times, she turns to prayer, asking God for the strength to love well, to be patient, and to understand each child’s needs. "He asks us to deny ourselves, to follow Him, and to delight in Him so that our desires align with His."
She has seen many prayers answered within the staff as they support one another. "It’s a life that only makes sense when it’s rooted in faith," she says.
Living Out “Justice that Heals. Bonds that Mend.”
When Sasha first read Kids Alive’s tagline, it resonated deeply. "I used to think justice was only about lawyers and judges," she says. "But I’ve come to understand that what we do here — being present, caring, and consistent — is also a part of Justice that Heals."
Bonds that Mend are at the very heart of Sasha's work. Children at Kids Alive Peru learn they are loved and valued, even if their past might be filled with pain. Sasha sees it as an honor to help bring healing to their lives through caring relationships. "I never imagined God would use me for something so meaningful."
Thank you for making it possible for caregivers like Sasha Reyes to walk alongside vulnerable children with love, steadiness, and hope. Your support helps sustain work like this all around the world. Want to learn more? Become a Safe Haven Champion today!
Because of you, healing is happening all around the world.
For two years, Sasha Reyes has served as a caregiver at a Kids Alive Peru home, offering gentle, consistent support to children in their restoration journeys. But her desire to serve others began long before arriving in Peru.
Back in Venezuela, Sasha worked with children and youth as a scout leader and often felt drawn to work rooted in care and guidance. When she learned about Kids Alive, she saw both the need and the opportunity to serve in a Christian organization, which made her decision even more meaningful.
Today, she sees her work as part of God’s invitation to walk closely with children who need compassion, stability, and hope.
Joy in Everyday Moments
Sasha brings warmth to the home in simple but meaningful ways. Earlier this year, she adopted a cat that had once lived on the property. Sasha cared for her and the kittens she had. "I’ve since found homes for most of them," she says. "It’s been a really sweet experience."
Walking With Children Toward Hope
Some of the deepest work Sasha does happens in the quiet, slow process of helping children learn to trust again. One of her biggest challenges is connecting with kids who find it difficult to receive love. Many have lived through seasons when they did not feel safe or valued, and they guard their hearts as a way of protecting themselves.
Sasha responds by being a present source of love in their lives. Sometimes she attends school activities outside of work so the children know they matter. Her approach is simple but powerful: demonstrtrating that each child is important and worth showing up for. "It’s about showing them that they can trust and that they are truly seen," she says.
Restoring Confidence Through Encouragement
One moment Sasha will never forget happened during a visit from Chef Giacomo Bocchio earlier this year. A girl under Kids Alive's care who usually hid her artwork decided to share one of her paintings. Giacomo’s wife noticed, called her husband over, and together they encouraged the girl to continue developing her talent. They even offered support for her artistic growth.
Sasha mentions, "That small moment was powerful — it gave her so much confidence and helped her see herself and her gift in a new light. It was truly moving." Moments like these remind Sasha of how God uses everyday encounters to restore hope and identity in children’s lives.
A Life of Service Rooted in Faith
For those considering nonprofit ministry, Sasha believes it must be a calling from God. The work is full of blessings, but also moments of weakness and self-doubt. In those times, she turns to prayer, asking God for the strength to love well, to be patient, and to understand each child’s needs. "He asks us to deny ourselves, to follow Him, and to delight in Him so that our desires align with His."
She has seen many prayers answered within the staff as they support one another. "It’s a life that only makes sense when it’s rooted in faith," she says.
Living Out “Justice that Heals. Bonds that Mend.”
When Sasha first read Kids Alive’s tagline, it resonated deeply. "I used to think justice was only about lawyers and judges," she says. "But I’ve come to understand that what we do here — being present, caring, and consistent — is also a part of Justice that Heals."
Bonds that Mend are at the very heart of Sasha's work. Children at Kids Alive Peru learn they are loved and valued, even if their past might be filled with pain. Sasha sees it as an honor to help bring healing to their lives through caring relationships. "I never imagined God would use me for something so meaningful."
Thank you for making it possible for caregivers like Sasha Reyes to walk alongside vulnerable children with love, steadiness, and hope. Your support helps sustain work like this all around the world. Want to learn more? Become a Safe Haven Champion today!
Because of you, healing is happening all around the world.
Meet Mr. Mesmin and Mrs. Celamise Borgella. They've served with Kids Alive Haiti since 2011. Back then, they never imagined how deeply the work would shape their lives. Once business owners, they sensed God opening a new door—one that aligned with their love for children.
Even as a young boy, Mesmin would tell his childhood friends that if he was born into a wealthy family, he would adopt and raise a lot of children. Celamise shared a similar longing in her youth—she had prayed for four children of her own. Looking back, she sees how God responded to that desire in an unexpected way, entrusting her with far more children than she ever imagined.
Today, after helping raise nearly twenty children over the years as House Parents (in addition to their two biological children), the Borgellas describe their greatest joy as watching their kids grow into independence and faith.
Joy and Everyday Life
Mesmin and Celamise oversee the Maison de l’Espérance house. Each day begins with devotion and the laughter of children preparing for school. It’s a home filled with structure and joy.
One memory they often laugh about is the day Mesmin tried to cook spaghetti while his wife was sick. Not remembering that the water needed to boil first, he added the pasta too early and ended up with a sticky mess. Rather than waste it, he improvised by adding sugar and milk, turning it into porridge. The children never suspected a thing; they simply enjoyed the special meal their papa had made for them.
Moments like these remind the Borgellas that love and laughter are just as important to a child’s healing as food and shelter.
Guiding Hearts Through Challenges
Caring for children brings deep joy, but it also comes with real challenges—especially as kids grow older and begin testing boundaries. The Borgellas have walked through many of those moments together. But rather than becoming discouraged, they anchor themselves in prayer and Scripture. Their approach is shaped by verses like Proverbs 22:6.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." – Proverbs 22:6
Through steady love, patience, and faith, they’ve learned that every difficult season can also become a moment of growth—for the children and for themselves.
A Testimony of Transformation
Among the many young lives they’ve touched, one stands out: a boy we’ll call Jacques. When he arrived from Port-au-Prince, he wanted nothing to do with God and only attended church because he had to. Yet the Borgellas and the Kids Alive Haiti team continued pouring into him—sharing truth, offering encouragement, and choosing compassion even when he resisted.
Years later, after returning to his community in Port-au-Prince, Jacques reached back out with heartfelt letters and phone calls. He thanked them for their patience and for guiding him toward faith. Today, he is actively involved in his church, serving in children’s ministry and passing on the same love and teaching he once received.
A Heart for Service
For the Borgellas, their role as House Parents is not merely employment—it is a calling from God. They believe that caring for these children is a powerful opportunity to reflect God’s love in tangible ways.
They encourage anyone considering nonprofit ministry to approach it with an open heart. The work can be difficult, but it's also profoundly rewarding. "God will bless you in ways you will not expect," they say. To them, serving children means offering your whole self—trusting that God will bless both the effort and the impact.
Living Out “Justice that Heals. Bonds that Mend.”
The Borgellas see Kids Alive’s tagline as a daily guiding principle. To them, it means creating a home where every child is treated with dignity, kindness, and fairness. It means leading without favoritism, ensuring that each child feels secure, valued, and truly at home.
They feel the responsibility to advocate for every child under their care—to act almost like "public defenders" who protect and uplift without distinction. Guided by love and grounded in faith, they work each day to cultivate a family culture where healing can take root and hope can flourish.
Thank You
We are deeply thankful for donors whose faithful giving makes it possible for couples like the Borgellas to serve as loving parents in Kids Alive homes. Your support helps create safe, nurturing environments where children discover family, faith, and the justice that heals. Want to learn more? Become a Safe Haven Champion today!
Because of you, healing is happening all around the world.
