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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – All the babies are Innocent. The doctors and staff at Grace Children's Hospital are caring for 10 to 15 children since the Jan. 12 earthquake. They are the "abandoned" ones – children who were in the hospital when the disaster struck, or lost ones found alone and brought there. The staff knows most of their parents probably died. Under the shade of a blue tarp are a few cribs. These are the children too young or too sick to be in the tents with the others on the hospital grounds. They are all brothers and sisters. The ones who are not known have been given the last name of Innocent. Leito Innocent is tethered to his crib by a blue gingham piece of cloth. As strangers approach, he stands up and reaches out for them. Winsley Polo, 2, was a patient before the quake. The 2-year-old is sick with tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Everyone is drawn to these children. Doctors and nurses volunteering from Texas come over to cuddle and play with them before they leave for the day. Some U.S. Army soldiers bringing assistance stop to spend time talking and taking pictures of the babies. Two of the children were adopted by people from the United States this week, said Robertson Lucceus, communications director for the hospital. "We pray for the others." Long history of care Grace Hospital has a long history of caring for children. It was built in 1967 by a United Methodist couple from the U.S. as a center for children with tuberculosis. The hospital also has started specializing in treatment for children with HIV/AIDS. "Most people who have TB are also HIV/AIDS positive," said Dr. Jeannine Hatt, a United Methodist pediatrician from Denison, Texas. Hatt, a member of the board of directors for International Child Care U.S.A., has been to Haiti many times. This time she brought a team of doctors and nurses to do "hands-on work." International Child Care U.S.A. receives support from The United Methodist Church. "They work for health care throughout most parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic," Hatt said. "Grace Hospital is their flagship ministry." Dr. Rudolph McGloire, administrator of Grace, said the presence of The United Methodist Church "means everything." "You are here; you are present. Many doctors and nurses are leaving the country and you are coming here," he said. Caring for children Mothers and babies lined up outside the hospital Jan. 27. Medina Alexis, 2, is wearing a white, ruffled dress with a white bow in her hair. She has on red lacy socks and white patent leather shoes. Her Sunday best is marred by ears crusted over from a severe ear infection. Her mother, Ketly, 25, was one of the first in line. She said her baby has been sick since the earthquake forced the family to sleep in the streets. Melissa Jean Baptiste, 21, was washing her baby's clothes when the earth started shaking. After her house collapsed, she found her tiny 1-year-old under some rubble. Since that day, the young family has been living outside, and Laury keeps getting sick. "He was very healthy before," said Jean Baptiste, tears rolling down her face. "I have taken him to see a doctor four times, and I wonder if he will ever be well as long as we have to sleep outside." Power of faith Faith keeps many patients and staff going. Dr. Honore Clogya has worked at Grace since 2008. He was in his office at a nearby drug store when the earthquake hit. The store was destroyed, and his family was buried in the rubble. His mother-in-law died. He and his wife were freed by neighbors. "We are still alive by the grace of God because we were crushed," he said. "Haitians must believe in God," he said. "Take a breath and bless God because everything is in his glory." United Methodists support Grace Children's Hospital and Pediatric Clinic (#418520) through The Advance. |
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