What I will be doing....

This is a pretty common question when I talk about my future plans with Kids Alive and although I am not certain as to what exactly my job will be down there I have a good idea.  Kids Alive is a non-profit missions organization who's main desire is to see kids rescued from dangerous living situations.  These can include abusive, unfit, unstable parents or family situations or kids that have no parents at all.  It is Kids Alives focus to get these kids into "orphanage" type homes but the way they do it is unique.  Each home has 2 Christian Dominican houseparents and depending on the situation there may be a few biological children in the home as well.  The parents become the adopted parents of 5-7 at-risk kids and they begin to form a family.  The parents provide a stable environment and a Godly example to these kids.  Not only are their physical, and emotional needs seen to, but also their spiritual.  What a blessing for these kids to not only leave a tough situation but to be put in a loving environment and hear about Jesus.

My role in all of this..

I will be going to Constanza (see Constanza page) where there is a relatively new orphanage that is modeled after an existing kids alive "ark" in Jarabacoa, DR.  My primary role would be to support the existing Care Center there working for the project director.  I will also have a good amount of responsibility in supporting visiting short-term work teams when they are in Constanza.  At the school/care center I would be working in tutoring kids, teaching various subjects (most likely physical education, english, computers or math), child sponsorship communication, and coaching sports.

As of May there were 23 kids in the orphanage and 61 attending the care center.  By the time I arrive in September/October there will likely be over 100 children attending the care center!  There is a ton of potential and work to be done in Constanza and it is exciting to be a part of building up this area, especially seeing the Ark in Jarabacoa thrive.  Let me know if you have any more questions, I would love to talk to any of you more about this.