Kids Alive International

For over 100 years, our mission has not changed: to provide Christian care for orphans and at-risk children. We believe in families, so we work to strengthen them; but when a child’s own home is no longer a safe option, we care for them in loving, family-style homes.

Our History

Kids Alive International began in 1916 in Shantung Province, China, when missionaries Leslie and Ava Anglin began taking in homeless Chinese children.

From those humble beginnings, Kids Alive today has expanded worldwide, helping care for thousands of children through Residential Homes, Care Centers, and Schools.

And we reach even more children through medical clinics, community outreach programs, and – in special cases – disaster relief response. Through these various ministry efforts, orphans and abandoned children are being given education, clothing, healthy food, medical care, and – most importantly – the opportunity to know and serve Christ.

To reach children globally, Kids Alive has affiliate offices in the United Kingdom and Taiwan.

Our Mission

At Kids Alive International we believe every child, even those with the most challenging needs, is a priority to God and far too many are overlooked, unheard, exploited, and threatened.

Our mission is the call of Isaiah 1:17, to serve these children by constantly learning better ways to meet their needs, earnestly seeking justice for them, empowering them for a healthy future, and advocating for community change.

Accomplishing that mission means every child we serve will have a present and future where they:

  • Enjoy a vibrant, life-changing relationship with God
  • Experience emotional and physical well-being
  • Are equipped for a life of independence and service
  • Live life in family and community, free of fear and violence

Our Values

Regardless of our role in Kids Alive, we believe that in Christ we are all:

God’s Children: We are intrinsically loved by the Father, and we should reflect His love in thought, word, and action. (John 1:12)

Clean: God is faithful and just to take away our shame and forgive us as we admit our failings, forgive each other, and grow to be more like Jesus. (1 John 1:9)

Chosen for a Purpose: We are called to be God’s ambassadors as we represent Him in our homes, schools, work, and communities. (John 15:16)

Powerful: When we are united in honor, respect, love, and reliance on God, we can do all things He calls us to do. (Romans 12:10, Philippians 4:13)

Masterpieces: We are the artwork of God, created to do marvelous works that He prepares us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

What We Do

Kids Alive is at work, every day, in 7 countries in three distinct regions of our world. Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Because needs vary so much from region to region and even country to country, KAI offers many different types of programs to meet each country’s unique needs. Our programs provide early intervention through education, while also meeting physical needs and providing discipleship that promotes hope in difficult circumstances.

We provide trauma-informed care for children and teens who are at higher risk or who have suffered abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual). Kids Alive staff create multidisciplinary teams, including Christian social workers, psychologists, counselors, and attorneys to address more challenging situations.

In collaboration with child protection systems, Kids Alive provides restorative care if a child must be legally removed from family or has no family option.

We work with governments and like-minded organizations to create more just, responsive systems for children and to reduce violence and exploitation in communities.

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