January 8, 2025

Alive Moments January 2025

With the exciting start to the new year, we reflect on moments of hope, healing, and justice. Donors like you have supported the journeys of vulnerable children, families, communities, and KAI staff members.

Together, we’re laying the foundation for healthier futures around the world. As our dedicated staff serves those in our care, we see Jesus working in many hearts and lives. 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” - Ecclesiastes 3:11

How you’ve helped make a global difference: 

  • Peru: An 11-year-old bravely speaks out about abuse at a KAI workshop, leading to their protection and justice.
  • Haiti: KAI staff organized a series of activities to draw attention to children’s rights on World Children’s Rights Day.
  • DR: KADR hosted a kick-off meeting at the schools in the community to celebrate the work being done and encourage the staff for the coming year.
  • Guatemala: Last month, our Kids Alive Guatemala team achieved their 6th conviction in 2024.
  • Lebanon: 41 women enrolled in the vocational classes at the Lighthouse Ministry.
  • Zambia: Kids Alive celebrated Zambia's 60th Independence Day earlier this fall.
  • Kenya: Kids Alive Kenya recently celebrated young learners transitioning from Kindergarten to Grade 1, a pivotal step in the Kenyan education system.

Peru

Workshops in Kids Alive Peru are transforming lives by combating normalized violence and promoting self-protection skills for the whole family!

  • Our "Playing We Grow Stronger" workshop helped engage young children in fun activities and learning.
  • A full day of learning for teens was held at multiple educational locations in the community.
  • An informative workshop for mothers called "Identifying Warning Signs" was held to teach how to prevent violence in their homes.

Through these workshops, children like 11-year-old Karlita (pseudonym for safety) have bravely spoken out about abuse, leading to their protection and justice. These workshops offer a safe environment where children and adults can learn, grow, and report abuse. By educating families on prevention, they are fostering a safer, more informed community.

Haiti 

At Kids Alive Haiti, our staff organized a series of activities to draw attention to children’s rights on World Children’s Rights Day.

Members of the staff wore sky blue to represent UNICEF and the UN, organizations working to protect children’s rights in countries like Haiti.

The day included a talk on the main points of CIDE and a series of 35 questions related to the protection of students and staff.

To celebrate the importance and progress of the day, small gifts were passed out to all participants.

This day is a perfect example of our mission to protect and uplift every child and celebrate the progress made with Kids Alive. Thanks for being a part of making each of these kids find justice that heals.

Dominican Republic

Each school year, Kids Alive Dominican Republic hosts a unifying two-hour kick-off meeting at the different schools in the community. This event serves as a great celebration of the work being done and helps energize and inspire the staff for the coming year. The events included:

  • A devotion from Acts 15:9 about the team's impact on the children they serve, like Peter's impact on those who were sick around him.
  • Fun games to celebrate, prayerful affirmations for the year, and a ministry report on the progress made.
  • Finishing out the event with an exciting raffle with prizes that included helpful essentials and fun treats!

Events like this help Kids Alive staff focus on the impact of the work—teaching, healing, and protecting children. It is a privilege to serve God’s kingdom in this way! Your support of Kids Alive helps our teams be able to create bonds that mend. 

Guatemala 

Last month, the Kids Alive Guatemala team achieved their 6th conviction in 2024, which is their highest record in a year so far! At the Escuintla Justice Center, a team of lawyers, social workers, and psychologists worked to provide justice and healing for one young girl.

At just 12 years old, she was being abused by a family member for 9 months before Guatemalan authorities stepped in. The Kids Alive team took on her case, and though the journey was long and hard work, we rejoice that today her aggressor has been convicted to the full extent of his crimes.

Because of the holistic care provided by Kids Alive, at 15 she has been able to heal from the trauma she faced and grow into a cheerful, strong young woman. This is just one girl's story among many that Kids Alive takes on to provide Christ-centered care to victims of sexual violence.

Lebanon

Alive moment in Lebanon! 41 women enrolled in the vocational classes at the Lighthouse Ministry and chose from these classes:

  • Manicure Skills
  • Professional Makeup
  • Resin Crafts

These classes will provide the women with necessary skills required to enter the workplace giving them the independence to help their families financially!

Zambia

Kids Alive celebrated Zambia's 60th Independence Day earlier this fall! The theme was "60 Years Strong: Honoring our Heritage, Embracing our Future."

  • The staff and students at the academy celebrated in style, wearing Zambia-themed clothing.
  • All in attendance joined together in traditional dances and poetry reading.
  • Everyone participated in a march, joining other schools in the area!

The theme for the day is embedded in Kids Alive's work of providing justice that heals through residential and educational programs where children develop bonds that mend. The work Kids Alive does ensures that all children in the program receive holistic support that prepares them for a better tomorrow!

Kenya

At Kids Alive Kenya, we recently celebrated an incredible milestone for young learners transitioning from Kindergarten to Grade 1. This pivotal step in the Kenyan education system marks the beginning of formal schooling and is a significant motivator for children to focus on education as the key to a brighter future. 

The joyous event was filled with pomp and color. The graduation was more than just a celebration for the children—it was a moment of affirmation that they are growing, achieving, and progressing toward their goals. It inspired them to aim higher and strive for academic and personal excellence. 

Parents in the community were deeply moved, not just by the festivities but by the tangible progress their children are making. Seeing their sons and daughters thrive in academics and life gave them hope and pride in a better, brighter future.

Moments like these highlight the transformative power of education in helping these kids continue to grow and positively impact their families and communities.

You can download a copy of the January Alive Moments here!

Related blogs: