June 2023 Prayer Guide: our work in the Dominican Republic with impoverished, abused and vulnerable children
Please pray for:
- Pray for our work in the Dominican Republic and for the hundreds of vulnerable children we serve there; that we can meet their needs; that we will be a wonderful witness to them and their families; and that we will use our resources wisely.
- Pray for their families, local churches, and communities.
- The Dominican Republic’s government and authorities.
Please pray for our schools and residential centres:
Why we work in the Dominican Republic
Due to extreme poverty, kids from the Dominican Republic are especially at risk of malnourishment, under-education, forced labour, and, in the case of young girls, early “marriage” and teenage pregnancy.
A good education is crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty and our seven schools give some of the most vulnerable children here a real chance to achieve this. Holistic care is our goal, and along with education, we care for the physical, emotional and spiritual health of every child we serve.
Every meal we serve, every lesson we teach, every family we support is possible only through the faithfulness of our donors and the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is through this power that the lives of vulnerable children in Dominican Republic can and will be transformed.
Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic serves over 2,000 vulnerable children and youth in our 7 schools, 3 residential Safe Havens and one Independence Programme serving youth from around the country.
The Dominican Republic is a culturally and ethnically diverse democratic nation that is home to 11 million people. More than 6.5 million people visit each year, enjoying a family-oriented, tourist-friendly country that has the largest economy of the Caribbean nations.
Despite the idyllic setting and relative wealth there are challenging issues that trouble a significant number of children and families.
- Though literacy is high, poverty disenfranchises many children and families in the public education system, leading to significant inequity academic and workforce outcomes.
- Adolescent birth rates are the highest in the western hemisphere, often leading to negligence and generational systemic poverty.
- Haitian residents in the Dominican Republic (15% of the population) face severe discrimination and are often excluded from any public service.
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
In 2022 we added over 230 children to our seven schools around the island where they received life changing help. Additionally we have added 15 students to our already large University Scholarship Programme. These include children like Wilman (pictured right) who came to Kids Alive at the age of 10 and was not able to read and write but is now studying at university and is also serving as a PE teacher and soccer coach at one of our schools.
In our residential programmes, we have successfully reintegrated over 15 youth with biological family members. Sometimes this process can take over a year to find, encourage and equip these families to receive their child. We are excited to see them thrive together as a family.
Looking ahead to 2023
- We plan to begin a certificate programme in vocational training and job skills in two of our schools to help youth transition into the workplace and successfully live lives of independence and service.
- We anticipate a record number of high school graduates as well as university students - if funding allows we will have 10 -15 new students starting this year.
- We will continue the expansion of our Trust Based Relational Intervention which helps us build trust and connection with traumatised children and youth. Emotional stability and security are extremely important to help kids thrive in any environment.
- We will continue to develop and deepen our nutritional, dental and sports programming which allows kids to be physically and emotional healthy as well as help them stay in school.
- We will continue and develop our partnerships with local schools, churches and individuals.
Meet our Kids Alive Dominican Republic staff on the latest country update video here
Home to the Arawak Taino people, the island’s population was decimated by European diseases introduced by Christopher Columbus when he claimed this island in 1492. Bartholomew Columbus, Christopher’s brother, established the Santo Domingo settlement, named after Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order. After many years of Spanish and French rule, the people won independence in 1844, becoming the Dominican Republic. Today, the country is home to 10.6 million people.
The Dominican Republic is a Democratic Republic separated into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial, and headquartered in Santo Domingo, the nation’s capital.
The country has had 38 constitutions (more than any other nation) since it became a nation. It has operated under its current constitution since 2015. Their civil law system is based on the French civil code.
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, this lush tropical island is home to beautiful beaches, exotic mountain ranges, and vibrant culture. Yet the country is deeply divided between the very rich and the impoverished, with more than 40% of the population living in extreme poverty. The state of public education here is poor, with improperly trained teachers, inadequate facilities, and only 60% of kids completing a basic primary education.
Posted on February 14th 2023
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