Changed Life Story: Francisco
*name changed for anonymity, individual not pictured
Francisco*, a student at Constanza School and resident of the Ark Constanza, came into the care of Kids Alive after enduring severe physical and verbal abuse—trauma so serious it led to hospitalization. The national child protection agency, CONANI, alongside the Prosecutor’s Office, intervened and placed him in Kids Alive’s residential program. From his first day at the Ark, Francisco was embraced with safety, dignity, and the consistent care of trusted adults.
Though now physically safe, Francisco carried deep emotional scars and significant academic delays. In fourth grade, he couldn’t yet recognize letters or read independently. The gap between him and his peers left him frustrated, often withdrawing or acting out in class.
The Ark Constanza’s multidisciplinary team responded with urgency and compassion—developing a personalized academic support plan and assigning a dedicated tutor to work with Francisco one-on-one during school hours. With steady, focused guidance, he began to read simple words, identify letters, and write with increasing clarity. His confidence is growing, one word at a time.
Beyond the classroom, Francisco is surrounded by holistic care—trauma-informed counseling, spiritual mentorship, consistent health support, and nurturing relationships. He maintains connection with trusted family members facilitated by the Ark’s social workers, spending time with his grandmother during school breaks. And this past year, through a mentoring relationship with one of his teachers, Francisco placed his faith in Christ.
Today, Francisco is still on his journey of restoration, but he is not alone. The Kids Alive team sees remarkable signs of growth. He’s more connected, more engaged, and—most powerfully—he’s smiling. As one director shared, “The interventions have been constant… but today we can celebrate the progress of a transformed life. One of the greatest achievements has been to see him laugh, which was the greatest challenge of all.”
Walk alongside a student like Francisco.
As a Student Champion, you help create lasting change in the life of a student at a Kids Alive school.