This is
our story.

Between June 2000 and January 2001, I spent more than 2 months bouncing from Moscow to Kostroma, Russia on night trains desperately seeking ways to work with and help orphanages provide for their resident orphan population. In the early 2000’s, there were millions of orphans in Russia and very few resources for them. Additionally, all statistics regarding orphans in Russia were dim…alcoholism, drug-abuse, prostitution, and early death would claim the lives of so many orphaned children. I knew that if I could impact these orphans and show them purpose, love, value, and hope, that the statistics would have to change one day.

In February of 2001, I was back home in Texas ready to sell it all and move back to Russia when I met a girl. That girl, Jennifer, soon became Mrs. McAlister and the co-Founder of an organization we named RU4Children. Together, we had a vision to help orphans in Russia by bringing local communities together and serving them in order to help provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Those first couple of years were full of hard travel, sacrifice, and striking out on our own, making contacts, gaining favor, and helping where and how we could. In 2002, we had the opportunity to serve across the Western border from Voronezh, Russia in the small city of Kharkov, Ukraine and in an orphanage simply named “Number 4.” The orphans at #4 were between 8-12 years of age. We talked about what an impressionable age this was and how best we could encourage them. Our goal was simple, partner with the local people and help transform the lives of orphans. 

That particular orphanage does not exist anymore, but the children who we loved and served are now lawyers, educators, policemen, and parents to a new generation of Ukrainians. Many of them lead orphan groups and encourage younger kids. They’ve gone from a grim statistic to generational leaders teaching love and hope.. 

We transitioned to Guatemala in 2012 and immediately accepted the challenges related to malnutrition and communities having minimal access to clean drinking water. We realized that an overwhelming majority of basic access to food, water, and shelter were directly affecting women and children. We have since addressed many of those needs through our Nutrition and Clean Drinking Water Initiatives. I’m thankful to be partnering with individuals who want to make an impact in the lives of others.

Thanks for walking with us,

Trey McAlister