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A Nurse Gives Back to the Family that Raised Her
Darline was raised at NPH Haiti and is now working at NPH’s St. Damien Pediatric Hospital.
Reported by Denso Gay
Communication Officer, NPH Haiti
October 15, 2018
Darline Damas is 29 years old, and she studied nursing at l’Université de Notre Dame d’Haïti, or the Notre Dame University of Haïti. She arrived at the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos/Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPH/NPFS, Spanish and French for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) flagship home, St. Helene, some 15 years ago.
Before coming to NPH, her and her siblings lived with an elderly grandmother. She lost her mother to an illness and lost her father when she was only two years old. Her life before NPH was very hard, because her grandmother, due to her age, could no longer work to support the family. However, she did not want to separate the children by sending each one to an aunt or uncle, so all the siblings came to NPH together.
Darline is very focused on her education, but makes time to teach sex-education to 10 young adults and help them in their own classes. She used to be the Secretary of AJ-NPFS “Association des Jeunes de Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs” or the Youth Association of NPFS.
This organization was founded on June 25, 2010 by 18 NPH current and ex-eleves (adults who were children raised at NPH Haiti) whose objective is to: “contribute to the development of the country and to promote the work of NPFS, to emphasize the value of children while reinforcing morals, values and a sense of responsibility; in particular, the integration and training of the youth with the aim of assuring a better future by means of various instructive, social and cultural activities.“
When she has free time, she prefers to read, watch television, play soccer, and look up new and interesting things to learn on the internet.
Darline says she is thankful for all of the support and care NPH has given her since her childhood, noting how grateful she is to have lived in a home with a loving NPH family. Because of NPH, she has a future which she could not have found otherwise.
“I think NPH is a great organization whose goal is to help those who are vulnerable, poor and sick. I am the product of NPH’s good work. I think the world needs more organizations like this,” says Darline. She continues, “In my opinion, as a child who grew up in NPH, I can honestly say that NPH deserves an award for the attention it gives the children and the kindness it shows in raising the children in its care.”
Darline is extremely grateful to the NPH family and its supporters. She has dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was a young child, and has always wanted a career where she too can help others. Currently, she is working at NPH’s St. Damien Pediatric Hospital, to provide care to patients where it is needed and give back to NPH for all it has done for her.
Eventually Darline wants to start a family of her own, but first, she has big plans. “I want to have a master’s degree in public health.”
Finally, she has a message for the children of Haiti. “If you don’t have parents, like me, when you find help, take advantage of it. And always take education seriously, so that you can become what you want to become some day.” Thank you, NPH!
Related Information:
• NPH Haiti
• How Your Help Makes an Impact at NPH
• St. Damien Pediatric Hospital
Photos above: Darline at her 2013 graduation with her older sister and brother. Photos below: Darline (2nd in 1st row) with all the graduates; Darline at work in the ICU unit of St. Damien Pediatric Hospital
