We would like to introduce all of you to sweet little Yves. He is one of the many children that has been admitted to Licia's rescue center in Haiti. Isn't he precious? We think so. Let us tell you about him.Little Yves was born May 29 around 1am. His mother, like most women in Haiti, had no prenatal care. She didn't even know how far along she was when he was born. Now let me explain that medical care in Haiti is nothing like it is here in the states. Here we have doctors in every town, and hospitals in our cities. That's not how it is in Haiti. There are not many hospitals or doctors. And when you do find a hospital it usually offers very substandard care and is very expensive also. This is why there was no prenatal care. So when little Yves was born his mother knew he needed help. He was so tiny, weighing only 3lbs 10oz. He was brought to the rescue center and admitted right away. Since the rescue center is full of children there is no room for the parents to stay while their children are there. His mother had to leave him and go back home without her new baby boy. I'm sure that was a very difficult thing for her to do. But she knew that he would be safe, loved and cared for in Licia's care. All the parents know this. Every week more parents leave their precious children at the rescue center because the children are sick or injured. Some are there only a few days, others for months. Parents try and visit their children but it can be very difficult to do when they live in a village a few hours away. Remember, they are very poor and walk most everywhere they go. They do not have the luxury of cars like we do. Some of the children currently at the rescue center have not seen their parents in a very long time.
Little Yves had a very rough start due to his size. Since he was so small he was unable to keep his body temperature up on his own, so a heating pad was placed under him to help keep him warm. Shortly after, Licia checked on him only to find that he was no longer breating. Seconds later his little heart stopped beating as well. But after receiving a couple puffs of air he was breathing on his own again. This happened three more times that day. His first day of life he was revived a total of 4 times. I can't even begin to imagine what little Yves, Licia or Lori was going through, but he was fighting very hard to stay alive and Licia and Lori were fighting to keep him alive also. There are no monitors at the center like we have here in the NICU at our hospitals. No alarms to go off when he would start to slip away. No incubators to keep him warm. Little Yves had a nannie instead, a loving nannie. She watched over him to make sure he was still breathing and did not leave his side.
The next morning little Yves once again stopped breathing and his little heart beat it's last beat. He fought as long as his little body could but in the end he just wasn't strong enough. He is now in Heaven where he will never have to suffer or struggle again. Now I'm not telling you about Yves to make you sad, but to make you aware. He is just one of many that does not survive. He is one of many that was admitted to and cared for by the rescue center and many like him will also pass away. But not all of them. Many more can be saved and desperately need your prayers and support. That is why the rescue center was started, to save as many children as possible. Many of the children that are born healthy in Haiti soon become sick from malnourishment. Many fall victim to intestinal parasites that cause their little bellies to swell with worms. Others have had insects burrow under their skin and lay eggs. There are 2 little boys in the center right now with this exact problem. Every night they have to have the eggs and worms removed from under the skin on the bottom of their feet. Can you imagine how painful that must be? We are so blessed here in the States. Our children have access to quality health care, they have food, clean running water, sanitation, shelter, clothing, and shoes. These are things that we take for granted here. Things that our children will never go without, but many children in Haiti will live their entire lives without some of these things, like shoes. Shoes would have prevented the boys from those horrible bugs, but they didn't have any. This is what Smiles For Haiti is about. We are trying to help as many children as we can to live a better quality of life in Haiti and hope to bring a smile to their sweet little faces in the process. There are many more children like precious little Yves that are patiently awaiting your generous donations. Everything from formula to diapers and medicines are needed. I know many of you have already donated and we thank you for that, but so much more is still needed. Whether it's a donation of a new box of crayons or a donation of a case of formula or anything in between please know that it is all very much needed. There are many more children like little Yves that are waiting and need your prayers. Please.... don't forget about them.
