Cultivating Educators So Students Can Flourish in Christ
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” — John 10:10
What began as a part-time opportunity to serve alongside her mom has become one of the most meaningful seasons of Mariana’s career. God has brought her back to ANIJA, a place that has been woven into her story for most of her life, where she now invests in the teachers and leaders shaping the next generation.
Mariana equips and develops teachers and leaders at Centro Educativo ANIJA, a Christ-centered school in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. By strengthening, encouraging, and supporting educators, she helps create environments where students can flourish in Christ.
Centro Educativo ANIJA (Ayuda a los Niños de Jarabacoa) walks with children and families from vulnerable communities through a holistic model of Christian education. Alongside academics, students receive nutritious meals, medical, dental, and vision care, while families are supported through programs that strengthen the home. The goal is not simply academic success, but helping students experience the abundant life Jesus offers.
Mariana’s connection to ANIJA runs deep. Her parents have served in ministry connected to the school for more than thirty years, and she attended ANIJA as a student. Returning years later has become a beautiful reminder that God delights in cultivating people over time, preparing them to faithfully cultivate others in His timing.
As ANIJA’s Professional Development Coordinator, Mariana guides teachers and leaders to grow in confidence, strengthen their practice, and create Christ-centered classrooms where students are known, valued, and encouraged to grow in their relationship with God. She believes that when Christ is at the center of how we learn, lead, serve, and love, everything changes.
In this role, she has the opportunity to:
– Coach teachers through observations, mentoring, feedback, and encouragement.
– Equip school leaders to coach and develop their teams.
– Design practical professional development teachers can apply immediately.
– Help educators connect faith, learning, and everyday life.
– Cultivate a school culture where teachers and students feel known, valued, and supported.
Today, Mariana and her husband, Ezequiel, are grateful to call Jarabacoa home and excited to continue investing in this community for the long term.
Mariana is building a community of people who believe in the power of Christ-centered education and want to see teachers, leaders, students, and families flourish. Through prayer, encouragement, and financial partnership, that community makes it possible for her to continue investing in educators at ANIJA and multiplying the impact they have on the lives of children for years to come.
Stay Connected
Whether you’d like to receive updates, pray for the ministry, or explore partnership, Mariana would love to stay connected as God continues to work through ANIJA.
- Email Updates: Receive occasional ministry updates and prayer requests. Join the email list
- Contact Mariana: Questions or want to learn more? vandermolen.mariana@gmail.com
- Partner Financially: Online and check giving options are available below.
Equipped to Cultivate Wonder
How one teacher helped students discover faith, learning, and purpose
One fourth-grade teacher at ANIJA began inviting students to notice “Wow Moments”, moments of beauty, kindness, and wonder that revealed God’s goodness in the world around them. As students learned to see creation with wonder, they began exploring what it means to be stewards of the world God created. Their learning led to action as they studied the impact of pollution on local waterways, transformed collected trash into educational art, and shared their message with their school and community. This is the impact of equipping educators: students who see themselves not only as learners, but as participants in God’s story.