When Gregory Adrien came to Grace Children’s Hospital in 1998, severely malnourished and crippled by Tuberculosis, it’s no wonder he quickly learned to regard the staff and other children at Grace as his family. After his mother died when he was young and his father and new step-mother mistreated him, he took to begging and selling on the street to find food for himself.
He learned that if he slept on his belly, he wouldn’t feel as hungry.
Gregory with some of his new-found family at Grace Children's Hospital in 1998
He heard about Grace from a US Army doctor, and walked the long road to the hospital on his own. When he arrived, he was welcomed with open arms!
“I felt so sad to see the other kids playing on the ground by the window,” he said. “The nurse told me to stay in bed until I started getting better. She said, ‘Courage, little boy, be patient. Don’t worry; one day you will be healthy.’”
Gregory and his two sons, Elijah and Zachary
And soon he was. And today, he still is. And so is his family. Now age 31, Gregory has two sons and lives in Miami, Florida where he is pursuing his music career as a hip-hop artist. He said he’s still working on making his dream a reality, but it was Grace Children’s Hospital that gave him hope and propelled him to the next steps in his life.
“Grace Children’s Hospital built the foundation for my life,” he said. “Without Grace, I don’t know where I would be now. Honestly, probably dead.”
After his treatment at Grace, he was moved to St. Joseph’s Home for the Boys, continued his schooling, and joined a dance troop called Ayiti Dans Ansamn’m, which actually toured the US to several of our donor churches.
He came to the US to live just before the earthquake of 2010. Ten years later, Gregory says he still feels like he’s a part of ICC. “It’s like a big family,” he said. “I can’t wait until I can go back to Haiti and visit Grace.”
It is only through the help of International Child Care donors that we are able to help children like Gregory. This is just one success story, but there are many more that need to be created. We greatly appreciate and thank you for your support that helps continue to provide hope, health, and well-being to these children and families.
“I would tell the people who can help to make sure Grace always exists. It’s the best hospital and does so much for Haiti,” Gregory said.
Just $8 Can Save a Child’s Life
During our 50 year anniversary, we ask for your support to help International Child Care grow and spread God’s love and blessings to those children and families in Haiti and the Dominican Republic that need it most.
All year long, we challenge you to start a 50for50 campaign in honor of Grace Children's Hospital's 50 year anniversary. It doesn't take much to make a BIG impact. To learn more or get started call us at 1-800-722-4453 or visit our 50for50 campaign page.