My name is Fabienne, and I have been working at the RHFH for several years. One of my duties is to accompany children to other hospitals for examinations. Today, I want to share a story of a little girl named Dasheline, who was admitted to our nutrition center for and stayed 182 days.

When Dasheline arrived at the clinic, she was extremely ill, suffering from kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition. Also she was at -4 SD, according to the WHO standard deviation for children’s height-to-weight ratio used by the clinic., which is severely malnourished. Initially, she did not want to stay at the center for the treatment. During the first few weeks, it was difficult as she as missing her mom who has died a few month earlier. Despite her sadness, we made sure she received the care she needed. I even accompanied her to the hospital for a medical examination, and throughout the journey on a motorcycle taxi, she complained of body pains, requiring several stops along the way.

Following the examinations, the medical team prescribed Dasheline the necessary treatment. In addition to medication for tuberculosis, a disease she had contracted from her deceased mother four months before her admission, Dasheline received proper nutrition and all the care needed to regain her health. She also received affection and support from every member of the clinic staff.

As the days went by, Dasheline began to recover and regain her strength. She became an inspiration to the other children at the center, playing and encouraging her peers. Her beautiful smile was a source of comfort for us all, as we had feared that she might not live. Her father admitted that he had not believed she would survive, but he had still accompanied his daughter to the clinic in the hope that she could be treated.

Today, Dasheline is completely cured of tuberculosis, and her overall condition has greatly improved. It brings me joy to see how happy she is now.

When it was time for Dasheline to return home, she was reluctant to leave. She cried, feeling deeply attached to us and the place where she recovered.

However, seeing Dasheline healed and ready to return to her normal life at home was a moment of satisfaction for all of us at the clinic. Her journey reminds us why we do what we do, and it fills us with hope and determination to continue our mission.

Thank you for supporting our work and for being a part of these miraculous transformations.

With gratitude, Fabienne