Bendji

Lindsey, I found my 12 year old boy. It's always the 12 year old boys that get me. Bendji has been a patient at the hospital for about 3 or 4 weeks now. He's already 12 years old, but is still a picture of malnutrition. Not so skinny, but swollen face and red hair. I'm learning that Haiti is one of the only countries that kids are at risk of malnutrition until the age of 10; normally, in other countries it is 5 year of age. Bendji is an orphan; at least his mother died and his father is somewhere else. He is being raised by his godmother, who has a lot of other children as well. But since he's been staying at the hospital his godmother has taken off; she has not stayed with him more than a few days. An aunt of Bendji's has come to stay for a few days, but other than that he's been alone. It's customary here that the family provides all the food, washing, chores, etc. for the patients so it's odd and a little disturbing that no one is here with him.

This boy however is not phased. He is living it up at the hospital. He seems to be my new best friend and after only a few days at the hospital I'm pretty sure he knows everyone's name (not an easy task) and everyone knows him. And he is smart and probably the most curious Haitian I have ever seen! oh. He decided he was going to be my doctor and treat my ringworm with his own home remedy. Every morning he would whip out a sack from his pocket with a lime and salt and apply it on my arm. And alas, the ringworm is almost healed (don't tell him I used my antifungal cream too). The other day I walk into the hospital and he has somehow contrapted a car made out of styrafoam and sticks. This was quite shocking because I don't think I've seen a Haitian child build something; usually it's just breaking things. After I saw the car he had made, he said, now I'm a Boss too! Oh I could take him home.

I don't know why he came to us or why a boy with a spirit like his is stuck in an environment has been so poor. No parents and most likely the last among all the other kids he lives with. But I don't see much of the effects. He always finds us at the hospital and takes your hand and reminds you he is a good doctor or explains just exactly how to do a certain thing; all with a the biggest smile on his face. I want to say he's coming alive, but I think he's always been alive. I pray the Lord does something incredible with his life.