Several weeks ago a five-year girl named Widjine, whose mother died in the earthquake, arrived at the Ebenezer Clinic by motorbike taxi, a long hour’s ride from home. Now in the care of her grandmother she was feverish, and behind her swollen face she looked sad and withdrawn. She was sick enough to intern her to a hospital, but which hospital? Widjine’s grandmother said they couldn’t afford to go anywhere else.

Ebenezer is constructing a clinic with beds next door, but it wasn’t nearly ready. Dr. Manno and the clinic staff made the decision to keep her overnight in spite of the fact that the overnight clinic is still unfinished.  Two other patients needed IV’s and close observation that night as well.

Even though the new tiling was barely dry, furniture was piled in to the center of the rooms, and dust was everywhere. these patients and their families didn’t care, They were just grateful they could be looked after in a clinical setting.

Two visiting family doctors, Dr. Phillip Mitchell and Dr. Karen Richter from North Carolina, spent hours caring for little Widjine. Dr. Karen even donated her own blood when they discovered the family’s blood was not suitable.

After the transfusion, we gathered around Widjine’s bed and sang songs. Much to our delight Widjine patted her hand on her chest to the beat of the music. We sang children’s songs in Creole, “Jesus Loves the little Children,” and ” Brighten the Corner Where you Are,” and “Deep and Wide.” It cheered us all to sing and see Widjine responding by tapping along to the beat even though she was too weak to sing. 

When tests revealed sickle-cell anemia and possible tuberculosis, we arranged to transfer Widjine to a larger hospital that could start her on the prescribed TB medicine regulated by the public health department. Steve visited her and her grandmother the other day and she is making gradual improvement.

Widjine and her grandmother are one of many families that your prayers and your donations are helping during the aftermath of the earthquake here in Haiti. 

As always, merci ampil et Bon Dieu beni ou! (Thank you so much and God bless you!)

Steve and Nancy