Changed Life Story: Josue
A Place of Healing and Hope
For over two decades, Eva Russell School in Monte Plata has been a place where children facing deep challenges experience healing and growth through education, care, and Christ-centered support. Josue’s* journey is one such story—a testimony of how steady guidance, holistic care, and consistent intervention have brought hope to a young man’s life.
*name changed for anonymity, student not pictured
From Crisis to Care
Before entering Kids Alive, Josue’s early years were marked by unthinkable hardship.
As a child, he and his younger sister were moved from house to house due to family instability, spending much of their time unsupervised, unprotected, and often wandering the streets. When he was 4 years old, he and his sister were struck by a car—an accident that claimed his sister’s life as Josue held her in his arms.
Grieving and confused, Josue withdrew from others and stopped attending the public school. His teachers, concerned by his frequent absences and lack of care at home, reported his situation to the authorities. After government intervention, his biological family surrendered custody, and he was placed under the care of CONANI—the Dominican Republic’s equivalent of Child Protective Services.
At 7 years old, he was brought to Kids Alive’s residential program Casa Monte Plata and was quickly enrolled as a student at Eva May Russell School.
Holistic support for deep needs
Upon entering Eva Russell School, Josue received far more than academic instruction—he was met with intentional, individualized care and love to support his complex needs. He had significant speech difficulties, learning challenges in reading, writing, and math, and serious behavioral issues. His anger often surfaced in outbursts so intense that physical intervention was sometimes necessary.
The school’s multidisciplinary team—teachers, therapists, and trauma-informed staff—provided targeted interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy, learning therapy, and speech therapy. These supports, paired with stable classroom routines, nurturing relationships, and a Christ-centered environment, gave Josue the stability he needed to begin healing.
As his behavior improved, his academics excelled. Josue arrived at Eva Russell School with little reading literacy. Now, Josue loves to read chapter books and was recently challenged by Debora (Eva Russell School Director) to read Young Men After God’s Heart. After reading the book, Josue was rewarded with a special trip with other students who completed the reading challenge.
A Growing Leader in Christ
Josue’s counselor, Anne Peyton, from Casa Monte Plata has walked first-hand with him, seeing the years of transformation in his life.
She says:
“If you were to ask him what his life was like before the ministry, he’ll say: ‘I fought all the time. I didn’t want to go to school. I didn’t have goals. I didn’t want to obey.’
Since being in the ministry, he’s learned that it’s important to obey people who love you because they want what’s best for you. He is now a strong leader in the ministry, and is intent on continuing to be active [in] church. Even when he is away from the ministry during vacation, he comes in for church.”
Through steady mentorship and discipleship, Josue has grown into a young man seeking God’s will for his life.
“He comes from a background without any clear values and without Jesus,” says Anne Peyton. “Now he has an independent, personal relationship with Jesus.”
Josue daily learns about the love and plans that God has for him through devotions in Scripture and Christian staff members at both Casa Monte Plata and Eva Russell School.
From a child burdened by trauma to a young man growing in faith and leadership, Josue’s story reflects the beauty of God’s redemption at work. He is pursuing a vibrant relationship with Christ and enjoys meaningful friendships and community.
We praise God for His work in the life of this young man. Pray with us that Josue continues to seek God’s will for his life and to grow into the man God has designed him to be.
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