Portia's Mended Heart

GHEI staff members were paid an unexpected visit when a large family dropped by the office this week. Country Director Clement Donkor called our staff together in the office to greet our guests, 11 in total, who had come to express their sincere thanks to GHEI.

The three children were as well dressed as the adults, as though they were on their way to church. The girls wore flowing pink dresses, the boy, a dapper suit.

The Adjei-Nipah family had come thank us on behalf of their daughter, Portia, who two years ago suffered from a congenital heart defect, commonly known here in Ghana as “hole in the heart,” that put her life in danger. The costly surgery required would certainly have put the family into dire financial straits. GHEI was able to bring Portia to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, and there she received the life-saving surgery. The KATH hospital has a program, run in collaboration with the Boston’s Children Hospital, in which patients diagnosed with curable heart conditions are offered the corrective surgery free of charge.

After leading the family into the classroom adjacent to our office and seating them, we walked around the room from right to left, shaking hands and greeting each family member, as is the custom in Ghana. Once we were seated, Portia’s father made a speech, which was later translated for me, thanking GHEI from the bottom of his heart for bringing his daughter to Kumasi and arranging for her surgery. He said that Portia never used to smile, but since recovering from the surgery she is quick to flash her cute grin.

In a generous display of their gratitude, a few family members had brought in gifts for GHEI. First, a bowl brimming with yams was brought in, accompanied by a basket of fresh tomatoes and onions. Next came a bushel of plantains, followed by a crate of sodas. As I positioned myself to photograph these wonderful gifts, Portia’s dad told me to wait, as there was one more gift to be presented. Then, to our astonishment, they led a ram into the room! We were very pleased with this gift, which would go a long way in feeding our staff! The ram, seeming somehow aware of his fate, trembled in fear and urinated on the classroom floor. He then made a quick attempt to eat some of the nearby yams, but was unceremoniously tugged away. We decided it would be best to enjoy the sodas all together, which clearly delighted the children. Portia sipped away at her Coca-Cola, savouring each drop.

After a quick group picture, the family managed to all load into a single taxi and drove off. All of us at GHEI were deeply touched by their display of gratitude. Our line of work does not always bring such open appreciation, so when people like the Adjei-Nipah family express their thanks for our work so warmly and generously, it boosts staff morale tremendously and offers us great encouragement in continuing to serve our community.

 
We thank both the doctors of KATH Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, whose efforts saved a dear child’s life. And needless to say, we are delighted that Portia is smiling again!

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