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Kingdom Kids was birthed from a desire to help the children in Gary and Taunya's community in Haiti both in academics and a love for Jesus. Growing up in the area, Gary Merilus has seen and knows first-hand the many needs of the people. After serving at an orphanage in Haiti, Taunya De Weerd-Merilus, has grown in knowledge, understanding, and love for the people in the same small rural community. After joining in marriage, and much prayer, they put together an after-school program to help tutor the children and youth of the area, while sharing the love of Jesus with them, and teaching them more about the Bible.
Today, Kingdom Kids has 53 children, grades 2nd through 6th, in the program. Children come to the program after school to receive a hot meal, help with homework and a weekly Bible study. They are also able to provide jobs for 9 adults as tutors, cooks, and a manager, and custodian.
The Board of Directors
Gary & Taunya (De Weerd)Merilus
Gary & Taunya (De Weerd)Merilus
Co-Presidents & Co-Founders
Gary and Taunya are currently living in Sioux Center, IA with their 2 children and extended family from Haiti. They continue serving and supporting Kingdom Kids, family, and friends in Haiti through daily communication, constant prayers, and encouragement.
Dave Los
Dave Los
Vice President
Dave, Los and his wife Cherie, have a shared passion for faith, family, and serving others. They have been married for 36 years, have seven children and two grandchildren.
Dave and Cherie live in Sioux Center, IA where Dave works at Interstates.
Together, Dave and Cherie have cultivated a deep love for the people of Haiti. Their many visits to the country have fueled a desire to serve in meaningful, lasting ways—both spiritually and practically.
Mindi Weinberg
Mindi Weinberg
Secretary
Mindi is a long time friend of Taunya and has a love for travel, missions, and other countries. She has been to Haiti two times to visit and serve with Taunya.
Mindi is married to Jake, and they live in Struble, IA, with their 4 children where she is a stay at home mom and homeschools.
Donna De Weerd
Donna De Weerd
Treasurer
Donna is Taunya's mom, and is currently serving as our Treasurer. Donna has a growing love for the people of Haiti after numerous visits to see Taunya.
Donna is married to Larry, and they reside in Sioux Center, IA, where she has recently retired from the real-estate business.
Cherie Los
Cherie Los
Board Member
Dave and Cherie Los have been married for 36 years, they have seven children and two grandchildren. They live in Sioux Center, IA where Cherie is a stay at home mom and homeschools her children.
Together, Dave and Cherie have cultivated a deep love for the people of Haiti. Their many visits to the country have fueled a desire to serve in meaningful, lasting ways—both spiritually and practically.
Haitian Staff
Haitian Staff
Kingdom Kids currently has a staff of 5 tutors, 2 cooks, 1 manager, and 1 custodian. These 9 men and women are the hands and feet of our program. They spend their time teaching the kids, helping them with homework, proving nutritious meals, keeping things cleaned up, laughing and having fun with the kids, and showing them the love of Jesus.
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