LOST IN A SEA OF NUMBERLESS CHILDREN, living in one of countless poverty-scarred barrios in the Dominican Republic, lives a young boy named Daurys. In addition to poverty, Daurys’ early years were shaped by insecurity. He was born with a heart defect that required surgery as an infant, and additional neurological challenges that made his survival a miracle. His father was absent, and his mother struggled to provide even the basics. There was little energy left over at the end of the day for affirmation and affection.
As a result of these significant challenges, when Daurys began the 2024–2025 school year, he was in 5th grade without possessing the basic knowledge required for that level. He had already been expelled from a private school for lack of academic progress, and his current school was also considering expulsion due to his learning delays and inappropriate behaviors, such as running away from the classroom and vaping in the bathroom.
It would be reasonable to label Daurys as a child without hope and with limited opportunities for the future. That changed when leaders from STCH Ministries met Daurys and visited with his mother, Oniris. Daurys had a spark of determination inside of him—a quiet determination—and through the Samuel’s Fund sponsorship, God was going to cultivate it. Samuel’s Fund does not simply provide a child with resources, it is a holistic approach based on an evaluation of need and the potential to develop into Christian leaders in their own culture, churches and families.
Two of t h e key players in this story are Scarlet and Esmirna, both young women who serve as mentors—known in the program as “tías”—under Samuel’s Fund. One of the key aspects of the program that enables a child to be successful is the assignment of every child to a specific caregiver. They invest 20 hours a week to follow up, mentor and walk alongside a specific group of children to ensure their success in both academic and spiritual goals. Scarlet and Esmirna were not only mentors—they were also sponsored through this program in the past. As former sponsored children, they exemplify the vision of the Samuel’s Fund program: raising Christian leaders who will give back to their community and especially the next generation of younger children.
Esmirna was originally sponsored as a six-year-old child by the Kemp family, who continued their sponsorship through grade school and college. Esmirna’s life had not been easy, requiring her to overcome significant family issues. When she began college, she decided to pursue a counseling degree. Upon graduation, she was recruited to fill the position of a therapist for the Samuel’s Fund children.
In her position as therapist, Esmirna joined forces with Scarlet, who was Daurys’ “tía.” Together, they led the investigation into Daurys’ situation and then reported:
“We understand that Daurys’ academic deficiencies, combined with behavioral issues, may require us to consider expulsion. However, I would like to share what Esmirna and I think about this situation: if we make this decision without first exhausting our spiritual, psychological and educational resources, we may be contributing to this child being handed over to a lifetime of delinquency and hopeless poverty.”
To determine possible interventions for Daurys, they requested an evaluation by both educational and psychological specialists. The findings provided insight not only into his learning difficulties but also into the root causes behind them. Academically, Daurys was described as a non-reader with significant gaps in phonetic decoding and comprehension. However, there were notable strengths: he recognized most syllables, had solid motor skills and showed potential for growth with consistent support.
Psychologically, Daurys was found to have experienced significant emotional trauma, rooted in abandonment and a chaotic family environment. The family drawing test revealed a home filled with conflict, undefined roles among siblings and deep emotional coldness. He lacked a strong father figure, and the most stable relationship he had was with an older sister who no longer lived at home. The results also revealed that although Daurys had many learning gaps, he had the cognitive maturity appropriate for his age. His ultimate prognosis was hopeful, especially with the introduction of structure, emotional support and spiritual mentoring.
The team knew that addressing Daurys’ struggles required more than just academic attention. His case demanded an integrated plan that addressed both his learning challenges and his home environment.
Two options were proposed. PLAN A recommended moving Daurys to a new school, where a 5th-grade teacher was just completing a master’s degree in literacy for children with special needs and was willing to dedicate additional tutoring time to teach Daurys to read, plus work on his concentration. In addition, it offered a structured curriculum and access to additional counseling by a local pastor. However, with the cost of transportation from his home to the school and additional fees, the total cost added up to approximately $151 per month. PLAN B offered an alternative: keeping Daurys at his current school but supplementing his education with targeted tutoring twice a week, combined with counseling sessions and follow-up testing, all for about $84 per month.
While PLAN A was more expensive, it was recommended and approved by Cindy Graves, STCH Ministries’ Sponsorship Director, as having the highest probability of success. Within just a few weeks of implementing PLAN A, unexpected results began to surface. The boy who had once fled the classroom and failed to read basic sentences began an amazing transformation! Daurys demonstrated the ability to decode words, understand passages and complete reading comprehension tasks—skills that had previously seemed out of reach.
In addition to his academic gains, Daurys began participating in group work, contributing ideas and even mentoring peers who faced similar challenges. These behavioral improvements reflected a deeper transformation: Daurys was gaining confidence. He was no longer reacting out of frustration or fear but instead learning to navigate his emotions and surroundings with courage and calmness.
To sustain this progress, the family needed support as well. Fortunately, Daurys’ mother was excited to participate in the success of her son. Scarlet and Esmirna crafted a home-based plan for Oniris, focusing on structure, patience and behavioral reinforcement. Oniris learned to praise Daurys for every small success and introduced a clear system of rewards and consequences. Charts with stars track daily achievements. Time-outs and reflection replaced yelling and harsh discipline.
Types of positive reinforcement included stickers, extra screen time, small toys and even outings together. Negative behaviors were addressed with immediate, offense-related consequences like short loss of privileges, a time out and making amends. The system was designed to be consistent, predictable and always motivated by love. They encouraged Oniris in the importance of building a positive and secure emotional connection with her son.
The sponsorship support was a significant factor in the ability to meet these needs. To supplement these funds, STCH Ministries committed increased funding for six months, with the understanding that an extension might be possible if significant improvements were made. Supervisors reviewed the plan and endorsed it as a wise investment, noting that while the ministry’s resources must be used wisely, Daurys’ situation represented a promising opportunity with a clear path to improvement.
The results have been profound. Scarlet shared recently,
I would like to share with you a very positive update regarding Daurys’ progress. Currently, Daurys continues to attend the new school under the extended school schedule, and he is giving his 100%. The chances of him finishing the school year as planned are very high.
We have observed significant progress in his reading skills, showing that he is hardworking, motivated and demonstrating a strong interest in his studies. He now reads aloud in class, deciphers new vocabulary with increasing independence and is able to summarize what he has read with growing confidence.
Additionally, Daurys is actively participating in all classroom activities. He works well in group settings, participates in collaborative projects, and has even volunteered to help other classmates who struggle with reading. This not only shows academic growth but also emotional maturity and leadership potential.
His teacher shared that he brings a positive energy to the classroom, and his willingness to help others has made him a role model for some of the younger students. This is a remarkable transformation from the child who once avoided class participation and was considered for expulsion. We believe that Daurys is well on his way to completing the school year successfully and is on track for promotion to the next grade level.
The decision has been made to extend the support needed for Daurys to continue at this school through the next year, when he will transfer to secondary school in the seventh grade.
This transformation was made possible through Samuel’s Fund, a program led by International Ministries for the last 18 years. It began as a vision to help children in poverty without resources or hope for the future, and to enable them to become Christian leaders in their own country. The goal: to give children with potential the opportunity to receive an education, grow in their faith and strengthen their families by honoring parents and caregivers. Today, the Samuel’s Fund program for children ages four through high school has expanded to include a college scholarship known as CLEP (Christian Leadership Educational Program). These programs support 388 children in the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. Its impact is now multi-generational, as former sponsored children have become leaders who invest in transforming the future for other children.
This is not just a story of change—it is a story of transformation inspired by God, and empowered by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. When the world may have labeled this child as hopeless, Samuel’s Fund saw a possibility for a different destiny, a Christian leader with potential to make a difference in the lives of others.
Daurys’ story is more than an example of a successful intervention—it is the realization of a vision. The fact that two young women, once helped by the program, now lead other children is proof that the vision that God gave is attainable through the partnership with donors, sponsors, American and local ministry staff, infused with love and many prayers. The story of Daurys demonstrates what is possible when many hearts come together to offer one child hope.
There are many more children like Daurys—full of potential, yet trapped in cycles of poverty and trauma. Samuel’s Fund exists to identify these children and surround them with the love, care and resources they need to thrive. Will you be part of the next transformation story? Whether through sponsorship, prayer or hands-on involvement, your partnership makes stories like Daurys’ possible.
