Welcoming JOY: the testimony of Keziah's host family
Keziah (5), a little girl from Benin, left her parents for 10 weeks to undergo heart surgery in France. She was welcomed by Félicité (18), Timothée (16), Théophile (13), Bartimée (8) and their parents Blandine and Stéphane. Félicité, the eldest of the family, tells you in her own words about this wonderful experience: "Keziah's heart has been healed, and so has mine".
The first hours of this new adventure
For several years now, we've wanted to give back as a family and make our daily lives more meaningful. I had heard about Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque at my elementary school, and my parents knew about the association because one of my brothers had been treated at birth by one of his cardiopediatricians for a small heart defect.
Arriving on January 21, Keziah came to France to experience her "second birth" before heading back to Benin. From the very first day, I said to myself: "A second daughter in the midst of my three brothers: what a joy! A little sister for a few months!
Our mission during this welcome was to offer love to Keziah and accompany him on his healing journey.
How did we welcome Keziah into our family?
We considered Keziah a full member of our family. She lived like we did, without any special privileges, but with the attention needed to take account of her sick heart.
In return, Keziah gave us all, young and old, immense joy!
In the midst of our dynamic daily routine, we had to tame ourselves, like "The Little Prince tames his rose". Wonderful, positive and curious, Keziah quickly expressed her enthusiasm and adapted to our habits without asking too many questions. Her smile made a particular impression on me, and will remain engraved in our memories.
Despite the medical ordeals she has been through, Keziah has always been enthusiastic, laughing and energetic: she has a thirst for life! Her personality has become an example for me to follow. Keziah has moved me and changed my heart!
His second birth
January 27, 2025, the big day of the operation has arrived! After the preparatory visits, Mum returned to the hospital for two days for Keziah's operation. She spent one night by his side and I came to give the meals. The doctors were confident about his health. The operation went very well.
Let me tell you a few unforgettable anecdotes...
- Keziah and school
Every year, at the Jean-Paul 2 school in Garches, near our home, the children make decorative objects that are sold at a Christmas market. This year, the sale was organized in aid of Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, giving us the opportunity to visit them with Keziah.
She was curious to understand the lives of French children, their daily lives and their learning. She became the elementary school mascot and didn't leave empty-handed...
The students are still asking about him today, as they were deeply affected by his visit.
- Keziah and food
She fell madly in love with "bread pudding" and brought some back to her family in Benin. She introduced us to mangoes: -we bought them every day...and since she left, we like to munch them to remember her joyful presence.
- Keziah and his creativity
She gave each of us a funny nickname. One of my brothers was called the "madman", the other the "bandit"! She loved to dance, put on shows... a real magician! She was a real princess and knew how to say "no": with her temper, she sometimes put us "in a box"!
Keziah's departure
Keziah left us last March: a difficult "goodbye" after a powerful experience that marked our family and our history forever. Keziah came for heart surgery, but she also changed mine! One of my dreams is to go and meet her again, in her world in Benin!
A few weeks later, we received an e-mail from Keziah's parents:
"(...) We will always be grateful for all you have done for our daughter Keziah. You have been a good family to our daughter. (...) The whole family thanks you for your big heart. We will always be happy to write to you with news of Keziah. She always tells me that she has two families and never stops telling us about her stay with your family (...)".
To conclude this beautiful story, if I had to describe this experience in three words, I would say: joy, simplicity and wonder.
