Junior is Finding His Place

Junior* is a 14-year-old boy who recently arrived at Kids Alive School in Haiti after his family made the difficult decision to leave their home in Port-au-Prince due to ongoing violence. Like many children in Haiti, his education had been disrupted by instability, and stepping into a new school in an unfamiliar city brought its own challenges.

When Junior first entered his new classroom, he kept to himself. He avoided eye contact, spoke very little, and struggled to connect with his peers. After being uprooted from his childhood home in search of safety, he carried that disruption with him into this new chapter. His academic performance began to decline—not because of a lack of ability, but because he felt out of place and anxious about what the future might hold. The hesitation others saw on the surface reflected something deeper: that he was still learning how to feel safe, how to trust, and how to believe he belonged.

At Kids Alive School Haiti, moments like this are not seen as setbacks, but as important signals. The team understands that before a child can fully engage in learning, they must first experience consistency, safety, and connection. So instead of focusing only on performance, they leaned in—surrounding Junior with trauma-informed teachers, access to counseling and therapy support, daily meals, and a structured environment where he could begin to feel stable again. Through consistent encouragement from his teachers and support team, he was given the space to be seen, supported, and gradually begin to re-engage in his studies and with his peers.

One day, during a group activity, a classmate made fun of Junior. He lowered his head, retreating into himself—the response he had come to rely on. But his teacher, Mr. Fernand, recognized the moment as an opportunity to intervene with care.

With the support of the school psychologist, the team created space for both individual encouragement and a guided group activity designed to build trust and belonging. During a classroom “speech circle,” each student was invited to speak words of affirmation over a classmate.

When it was Junior’s turn, something unexpected happened.

His peers began to describe him as kind and gifted in mathematics. For the first time, Junior was able to see himself through the eyes of others—not as someone who didn’t belong, but as someone who had value and something to offer.

From that moment forward, his role in the classroom began to change.

His teacher entrusted him with the responsibility of helping other students who were struggling in math—an opportunity that both affirmed his abilities and allowed him to contribute to the growth of those around him. Each day, he was also reminded of foundational truths spoken regularly in the classroom:

‍I am a child of God. I am chosen. I am precious.

Over time, those truths began to take root.

Today, Junior smiles more freely, eagerly participates in class, and engages with his peers with growing confidence. Surrounded by encouragement and consistent support, he is no longer navigating this new chapter alone. He is part of a community that sees him, affirms him, and walks alongside him.

What once felt like isolation is now becoming a place of belonging, growth, and restored identity.

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Become a Student Champion

Children like Junior deserve a place where they feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive. Your support helps provide restorative education, consistent care, and the relationships that allow children to build confidence and rediscover their potential. Become a Student Champion today to help children receive a firm foundation to grow in body, mind, and soul.

*Pseudonym used for child's safety.

SOFÍA IS LEARNING TO BE STRONG

Sofía* is a 10-year-old girl growing up in the Andahuaylas region of Peru, far out in the highlands of the Andes Mountains.

In her community, many families face living conditions marked by instability and limited access to support. Over time, these challenges have shaped how children understand safety, relationships, and their own sense of worth. In environments where guidance is limited, children often learn to navigate difficult situations on their own—without always knowing what is right, what is safe, or how to respond.

Sofía experienced this firsthand.

At school, she was known as kind and gentle, but when other children treated her unkindly—pushing her, pulling her hair, or laughing at her discomfort—she didn’t know how to respond. She would withdraw, feeling embarrassed and unsure of what to do. It wasn’t that she lacked courage. She simply hadn’t yet learned that she had the right to be treated with dignity—or that her voice mattered.

At Kids Alive’s Andahuaylas Hope Center, this reality is not overlooked and shapes everything these programs aim to transform in the name of Christ. The team understands that for children to truly learn, they must first feel safe, known, and valued. That’s why their programs go beyond academics. Through Bible clubs, tutoring, and interactive workshops, children are not only gaining knowledge—they are learning who they are and how to navigate the world around them.

One of those spaces is a workshop called "Playing Makes Us Stronger."

While it may look simple from the outside—children gathered, talking, laughing, and learning together, these moments are intentionally designed. They create an environment where children can begin to understand personal boundaries, practice using their voice, and build the confidence to respond when something doesn’t feel right.

During one session, the group began talking about how to care for their bodies and recognize when something is not okay. At first, Sofía responded the way many children did—with nervous laughter and uncertainty. But as the conversation continued, something began to shift.

For the first time, she began to understand that what she had experienced mattered—and that she didn’t have to stay silent.

Then, she raised her hand.

She honestly shared what had been happening on the playground—how she had felt uncomfortable, unsure, and alone. As she spoke, her peers were surprised, but listened attentively as she shared her truth. Other children began to share as well, and bullying had once been hidden became something that could be named, understood, and addressed.

By stepping up to share her story, she opened the opportunity for her classmates to have a safe space for their truth.

April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, reminding us that prevention needs to be taught as a foundational truth in a child's life. It begins when a child understands their worth, recognizes what is not right, and feels safe enough to speak.

Today, Sofía carries herself differently. She speaks with confidence, engages with her peers, and understands that her voice matters. She knows she can ask for help—and more importantly, she believes she is worthy of that protection.

Her teachers have seen this transformation and invited her to lead a class presentation—something the younger version of Sofía would never have imagined. She shared a message she now holds close to her heart:

“Our bodies are unique and valuable. We have to care for them like a precious treasure.”

The girl who once stayed silent is now helping others find their voice.

She is only beginning to discover who she was created to be. Being grounded in her identity as a child of God, her voice now helps others believe they are worthy of protection, dignity, and a hopeful future.

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Become a Student Champion

Children like Sofía deserve safe spaces where they can grow in confidence, understand their worth, and learn how to protect themselves. Your support helps provide restorative education, consistent care, and the relationships that empower children to find their voice. Your support makes that possible. Become a Student Champion today to help children receive a firm foundation to grow in body, mind, and soul.

*Pseudonym used for child's safety.

PATIENCE IS STEPPING FORWARD FOR HER FAMILY

Eight years ago, a six-year-old girl walked into Hall Mead School carrying more than the weight of her small school bag—she carried grief that had not yet found words. Patience* had recently lost her father, the one who had anchored her family’s stability. In his absence, daily necessities became uncertain, and the emotional impact of that loss settled deeply within her.

When she first entered the classroom, Patience was withdrawn and anxious. She struggled to engage, often holding back in moments that required confidence or connection. What others may have seen as quietness reflected something deeper—a child navigating loss without the tools or support to process it.

At Kids Alive Kenya’s Hall Mead School, Patience entered an environment where her needs were seen in full. Here, education was not separated from care. She received consistent meals, structured learning, and access to therapy—alongside daily spiritual formation that reminded her of her identity and worth. In this space, healing did not happen through pressure, but through presence—through relationships that were steady, patient, and safe.

Over time, her internal world began to shift.

As Patience experienced consistency and care, her sense of safety grew. She began to participate more freely in class, form friendships, and engage with her learning in new ways. The child who once held back started stepping forward. Her teachers now describe her as disciplined and responsible, and her mother has witnessed a quiet but profound transformation taking place.

Today, Patience is thriving academically, participates in athletics, plays handball, and enjoys dancing—expressions of confidence and joy that reflect a deeper healing. She has also stepped into leadership within her faith, helping lead worship during school devotions and continuing to grow in her relationship with Christ. As her confidence has grown, so has her vision for the future. Patience now dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon—an ambitious calling that reflects not only her academic progress, but her renewed belief that her life holds purpose.

Scripture speaks to this kind of restoration:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3

Patience’s story reflects a deeper truth—that when a child is surrounded by consistent care, safe relationships, and faith that speaks to identity, healing can take root. What began as loss is now becoming a life shaped by resilience, growth, and hope.

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Become a Student Champion

Children like Patience deserve the opportunity to heal, grow, and discover their God-given potential. Your support makes that possible. Become a Student Champion today to help children receive a firm foundation to grow in body, mind, and soul.

*Pseudonym used for child's safety.