How a starving child came into our care and is now a doctor!
Here is the remarkable story of a remarkable girl serving a remarkable God
Walkiris's young life was coloured by harsh realities: her father died when she was 5, her mother died as a result of domestic violence when Walkiris was 8. Ultimately, she and her three siblings (12, 10, and 4) lived alone in their small family home without electricity or running water. “There were days when there was only sugar water or nothing to eat, we shared one bed.” Her older sister became a young mother at 13. At 8 years old, her future looked dim.
But God had another plan for Walkiris. She came to Kids Alive’s Ark Jarabacoa in Dominican Republic and found so much she had been lacking; a home, food, a bed of her own, a bathroom and shower with running water, clothing, games and a good education.
She fondly remembers visiting service teams, especially those that came to play soccer in the rain and mud, and sponsors who wrote her letters she still has to this day. But she believes the most important and valuable thing she received in the Ark was the love of Christ.
This little girl who loved Jesus worked hard and loved to learn. She graduated top of her class in year 8 and again in year 12. She set her sights on being a doctor. Quite a long way from the little girl we first met who had no home and no education.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Like all of us, Walkiris has walked through challenges and consequences but has clung to the Lord. She has allowed God to reveal His faithfulness through her persevering faith, choosing to walk in the light. 24 years after she first came to Kids Alive, Walkiris is a doctor working with Kids Alive International at the Ark. She walks with the poor and needy patients who visit the clinic, and her heart breaks as she sees mothers struggle to feed and care for their children. She knows those realities all too well.
This past year, Walkiris had another heartbreak. She and her husband Miguel lost their infant Hallie Analiz, but she remains strong in her conviction of God’s goodness and provision:
“He [God] is the one who sustains me, the one who lifts me up gives me security. I have learned that we are borrowed, that only he knows how long we will be passing through this land. In each of the processes that I have gone through, God has been there with me and my family. And there is no greater joy than knowing that I will see my little girl again, and I do not deny that I would long for everything to be different. The Lord keeps me firm in Him until He comes, or He calls me.”
Walkiris’ story is a reminder to all of us that our decision to follow Christ is not a “one and done” event, it is a journey. That’s true for ministry and why your partnership with Kids Alive International is so significant. The true power of impacting communities and families for the long term is being there for the months and years ahead as children grow, dream, and sometimes fail.
We asked Walkiris what she’d like you to know: “I am a living example that [because] God and all those who He caused to support me in one way or another, like my sponsors, I have been able to achieve great goals, be a doctor and be able to work for the ministry. I encourage you to be part of our great family. With your help you can make big changes in the lives of children who have lived through difficult circumstances.”
More information about our Ark Jarabacoa project.
More information about our work in the Dominican Republic.
"For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all He does." Psalm 33: 4
Posted on January 31st 2022
Postal address: Kids Alive International, PO Box 1529, Stamford, PE2 2YD.
Registered address: Kids Alive International, 12 Greenhill Rents, London, EC1M 6BN
Telephone: 07873 550968 | Registered Charity: 1140641 (England & Wales)
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