In a busy tented surgical unit in Port-au-Prince, surrounded by patients and doctors hard at work, one little girl has found time to play, smile and dance her way into everyone’s hearts. She has her own story of loss and trauma, following Haiti’s earthquake on January 12 and a future that seems far from certain. But despite that, she remains a curious, cheeky and rather wonderful eight-year-old girl. Meet Dianna.
“Dianna is always smiling. She is very courageous and never stops playing,” says Cal, Dianna’s older brother.
Orphaned before the earthquake when their mother left them in someone else’s care, Dianna and her siblings were at home when the earthquake struck.
Huge blocks of concrete were thrown around with one hitting Dianna in the back of the head and another landing right on top of her hand as she lay on the floor.
Cal immediately took her to their local hospital, only to find there were not enough medical supplies or staff to treat her.
“We asked if anyone knew another place we could go for help. A lady told us about Merlin, who had opened a hospital to help people hurt in the earthquake,” says Cal.
When they reached Merlin’s hospital, our doctors realized that Dianna’s hand was in a serious condition but fortunately were able to successfully operate.
“I was worried about Dianna, but it didn’t take her long to recover. Merlin is doing a lot for this country because there are so many people who are badly wounded and need help. I want Merlin to stay here and not just leave after the emergency. They’re not only helping the wounded but also providing jobs. If all the countries in the world could have organizations like Merlin, things would be a lot better.”
Dianna with Emergency Nurse Deborah Milner
A few days after the surgery, Dianna is feeling a lot better – dancing outside the hospital tent, singing to the doctors, and bringing a smile to everyone’s face.
“Dianna was one of our first patients after we set up the hospital, and we’re still taking care of her. We’re worried that if we discharge her too early, her little finger will become infected in the makeshift camp where she is staying,” says Emergency Nurse Deborah Milner, who is treating Dianna. “Her laughter has become a constant source of inspiration to us, and we will really miss her when she leaves. She has become the camp princess!”
Cal doesn’t know where they’ll go in the future, but they now have a dream.
“Having watched how Merlin works, we both want to become doctors now so we can help other kids when they’re sick.”
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