Lost Boy Found…

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Everyone likes a feel-good story—where someone works through hardship and comes out the other side extraordinarily changed for the better. But what if we’re talking about an innocent child? Poor. Vulnerable. Nearly invisible. And all but forgotten. What then? That’s where your love found 7-year-old Anibal—and helped him find a place where he could blossom. In his story, we see a lost boy found through the kindness of his grandmother, his teachers, and friends like you.

Anibal lived on the streets of the Dominican Republic. He ate out of trash cans—and even slept in them. His days were marked by constant hunger and uncertainty. When his grandmother, Damaris, learned about his situation, she took him into her home. But food was still scarce. Some days, she had to borrow money just to buy bread. Then her pastor helped her enroll Anibal in a nearby school supported by friends like you.

A Lost Boy Found Care and Belonging

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Anibal struggled to follow the rules and socialize with classmates. He often reacted with aggression. But your love didn’t give up on him. Under the patient care of his teachers, this lost boy found a place to thrive. And the food your generosity provided became one of the most important parts of his daily routine. Each day, he received breakfast, lunch, a snack before leaving, and even dinner to take home. He told us, “I have fun here—and the food is really good!”

Thanks to your kindness, Anibal is flourishing. At school, he enjoys math and playing soccer and basketball with new friends. He even gets excited when talking about the nutritious food he receives—meat, pancakes, beans, salads, and mangú, a local favorite made from plantains.

A Lost Boy Found Hope for the Future

Today, Anibal isn’t just a child with a painful past—he is someone with a future. With your help, a lost boy found nourishment, friendship, and new reasons to look forward to each day. Day after day, meal after meal, child after child—your help makes the transformations at this school possible, helping children in need build a bright future. Because your love nourishes bodies, hearts, and souls, their future looks so much different than their past.