My name is Rose-Berta and I had the life changing experience of attending a WWO Camp in Haiti for children living with serious illness. I was born into a family of two children, I am the youngest.
My father passed away in 2013 and soon afterwards, my mother found out that she was ill with a disease that she had passed tome at birth. At first, my mom would not tell me why I had to take the medications, I was scared and desperate, I didn’t know how I could live if I too was ill.
It was during this time that my mother found WWO’s camp program. She knew that I would need help to get through this period, and she knew she had to tell me the truth about my illness before she enrolled me in the camp. When she told me, I did not want to go to camp, but my mother told me that I was not alone, there were many teens who were living with this disease. My mother knew that it would do me good.
Reluctantly, I decided to go. When I got to campus, it was a completely different world; I met other teens living with the disease, and I made friends. What really got to me the most about this camp was the way the staff treated us. I felt appreciated and loved. The counselors took the time to listen to me, encourage me, and explain to me everything about my illness and why I needed to take my medication. This experience completely changed my outlook on my life. I became a role model to encourage other young people. I am taking my medication and I encourage them to do the same. I am now 22 years old, I feel well, and I now have goals for my life.
During the pandemic, I was able to work as a Leader in Training helping fifteen families. I have helped motivate them and have helped them create life goals. I consider WWO Haiti’s camp program a miracle in my life, and I hope it will continue to change the lives of other children.