* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
“My name is Anne and I am a volunteer at the children’s hospital in Geneva. I am a godmother to the children hospitalised under the auspices of the programme for specialised care of Terre des hommes.”
What is the role of a godmother?
“We are some twenty godmothers for the children of Terre des hommes (Tdh). We come every day of the week, in turns, to pay a visit to the children in the different wards where they are hospitalised. We spend time with them, we take them to the garden or to the play room. We play, we discuss, we draw. We are there for them, available.
On Monday, the children in convalescence at the Maison Massongex come to the hospital for their medical consulting. It’s a very trying day for the children. Therefore, every Monday, they are accompanied by two teachers from Massongex and by the godmothers who are there to support them.”
What is the specialised care programme?
“The specialised care unit has existed for over 50 years. This programme set up by Tdh offers the most destitute children specialised care when their state requires it. If they cannot be treated locally, the children are sent to Switzerland, France or Spain to be operated. Every year, Tdh thus transfers over 260 children, 80% of which suffer from ailments of the heart.
Children come to the children’s hospital in Geneva largely for heart operations, but also for orthopaedic or reconstructive face surgery for those suffering from serious after effects of the noma.”
Who are these children?
“The children we see arriving are an average of nine or ten years old and just a few months for the younger ones. They come essentially from Senegal, Morocco, Benin, Togo and Mauritania. These children come without their parents. Not all of them speak French upon arrival.
It’s a great upheaval for them. Everything is new, everything is different. They have made a long trip. They find themselves surrounded by people they don’t know. They are sick and they feel lost.
We, the godmothers, are there from their arrival at the hospital. With the little ones, contact is physical: we take them by the hand, we hug them, we play. With the older ones, we share, we discuss, we question them on their family, their country, their plans and we get to know each other. We do not always speak the same language. But we always find ways to communicate.”
How do they develop?
“It is extraordinary to see how fast they adapt! After their surgery, they recover at full speed. It is magnificent. They are not out of breath or blue anymore. They put on weight, they develop assurance. Very quickly they begin to speak French and to gallop through the corridors of the hospital.
One of their great strengths is their mutual support. Those who have already been hospitalised, come to visit the others and reassure them. They have gone through the same difficulties. And prepare them by explaining what’s going to happen.”
What more do the godmothers do?
“We are for the children adults of reference, to which they can turn when things do not go well, if they have questions, if they need whatsoever. We listen to them, support them. I believe that there is certain importance in not being part of the hospital. We are part of the outside world, the “normal” world.
With the children we can afford good laughter and turn times of embarrassment into times of comradeship. When I feel that I could contribute that, I am really pleased. And I find that with the children, at the hospital, I can give the best of myself.”
A big thank you to all our godmothers for their work, their commitment and their support which allow us to continue to take care of the children in the world.
Would you, too, wish to commit yourself to offering a better future to the children in need? Join our volunteers!
