On a Sunday morning, after worship in her church in Croix-Fer, an isolated locality in Belladère, Antonine Similien begins to feel uneasy. At 65, she knows her body well. This time, she knows it won’t go away on its own.
Her son is ready to take her to the nearest hospital. But she refuses. She wants to go to Cange.
There’s closer, it’s true. But she knows what she wants: to be welcomed with respect. To be listened to. To have answers. And in her mind, there’s only one place that ticks all the boxes. So they set off.
The road is long, broken, slippery. The heat weighs down, and so does fatigue. But Antonine keeps going. She moves on because she knows that there’s someone out there waiting for her. Someone who will take the time. And she was right.
On her arrival at Hôpital Bon Sauveur de Cange, she was immediately directed to the laboratory. Jean Ronald Bosquet, head of the department, welcomed her himself. He has been with the institution for almost twenty years. He doesn’t just take samples: he explains, reassures, humanizes.
“I knew that at Cange, I would be well looked after. From the moment I arrived, I felt listened to, respected, well taken care of. The laboratory manager received me personally. He took his time. I felt important.”
Antonine is no exception. Every day, patients like her choose to travel long distances to be cared for at a Zanmi Lasante facility. Not because it’s easy, but because they trust.
And that trust is earned. Day after day. Gesture after gesture. By the quality of care, by the way we listen, by the way we look at each patient as a person, not a number.
Antonine went home soothed, relieved, ready to recommend to everyone never to neglect their health. And above all, to turn to institutions that put people at the center.
Her story reminds us of one simple thing: offering quality care isn’t just a matter of means. It’s a matter of will, respect, and consistency.
And at Zanmi Lasante, that will doesn’t waver.
Support a healthcare system where every person, like Antonine, can receive humane, quality care - regardless of distance, age or obstacles. Donate today.