ICC board member, Jeannine Hatt, shared one of her most memorable moments from her trips to Haiti to visit Grace Children’s Hospital. Read Jeannine’s story below.
I will never forget my first visit to Grace Children’s Hospital in 2000, having been invited for a discussion on how US healthcare professionals might help the hospital provide a higher level of care. The all-Haitian staff at the hospital were busy at work when we arrived but took time for a tour of the impressive in-patient unit and out-patient services, most in crowded spaces and at times, in oppressive heat and humidity.
We were then led into a small conference room for more discussion. A thin boy of about 12 years walked into the room. He shyly introduced himself as Gregory, explaining that he had taken a tap-tap (public transportation, generally consisting of a pickup truck with a cover over the back) from an orphanage on the other side of town where he lived. He wanted to thank us for coming to help GCH.
Gregory then shared the story of how, years earlier, while living on the streets except for some care from a sister, he became very ill with tuberculosis. His sister took him to GCH, at which time he was even too weak to walk. He remembered being laid down on a bed in the in-patient unit. When a big smile came across his face, the staff asked him why he was smiling when he was so ill. He told them it was the first time he had ever been able to lie down in a real bed and he was so thankful.
Over the next few weeks, under the care of the doctors and nurses at GCH, Gregory regained his strength, was cured of his TB and was placed in an orphanage until he was old enough to be on his own. He told our group that he would always be thankful for what the hospital did for him, and hoped to one day become a doctor and work at GCH.
That gesture of thankfulness sealed the respect I have for GCH and the people it serves. I will always do what I can to see that the work there continues to care for all the ‘Gregories’ that come to them.
I am thankful for GCH.
Jeannine Hatt MD FAAP
You have the power to provide quality health care to children and families in Haiti. Join Jeannine and hundreds of other generous individuals by donating today at https://internationalchildcareusa.networkforgood.com/projects/20124-general-donation-page