Stories from the Field: Kethlene

Kethlene is a charming 13 year-old-girl. She has five older sisters and a brother. Kethlene’s mother died when she was very young so she and her siblings live with their grandmother in downtown Port-au-Prince. Kethlene’s father lives in Carrefour, a community just south of Port-au-Prince.

Kethlene was a good student in her fifth grade year at a local school when she developed a high fever accompanied by a deep cough. These symptoms were the first sign that Kethlene had pulmonary tuberculosis. As sick as she was, Kethlene insisted that she finish out the school year–she didn’t want to get behind on her studies. By the time Kethlene completed the year-end exams, tuberculosis had devastated her body. She was hospitalized in critical condition.

Thanks to the diligent care administered by the staff of Grace Children’s Hospital, Kethlene’s health condition improved quickly. Surrounded by her supportive and affectionate family, who visited daily, and the friends she made on the inpatient ward, Kethlene had a pleasant experience while recovering at the hospital.

Kethlene enjoyed drawing, playing hopscotch and watching movies with the other children. She also liked playing with her many dolls. With her dolls Kethlene created for herself an imaginary world in which she was a benevolent mom–a small way of compensating for the cruel absence of her own mother.

Kethlene left Grace Children’s Hospital after two months of hospitalization. She was able to go home, but had to return to ICC’s outpatient tuberculosis clinic to continue her treatment for several more months. Today, Kethlene’s health is completely restored. She is looking forward to continuing her studies in the fall.