On the afternoon of Saturday, January 13, the courtyard of the Sourou Sanou University Hospital Center (CHUSS) in Bobo-Dioulasso vibrated to the rhythms of pleasant activity. Indeed, Mariame Sawadogo/Touré, a doctoral student in medicine with a pediatric option, organized the 4th edition of her Christmas tree with her association One Child, One Smile.
It replaced syringes, stethoscopes, surgical equipment and prescriptions. This Christmas tree took the medical staff and patients of the Bobo-Dioulasso CHUSS into another universe for a few hours.
Since 2020, they have been organizing a Christmas tree within the hospital establishment to the delight of sick children, all patients, caregivers and medical staff. It involves giving gifts to hospitalized children and entertaining them for a day.
Mariame Sawadogo/Touré, who is starting a career as a pediatrician, deals with sick children on a daily basis who fight with all their strength to regain their health.
This fight for healing has not always been easy. The medical environment is a special setting where laughter and tears, relief and dismay, hope and despair frequently collide.
To bring joy to the young patients of the CHUSS and give them the strength to overcome the illness, Mariame Sawadogo/Touré and her collaborators from the association A child, A smile play their part.
The children of the pediatrics of the CHUSS of Bobo-Dioulasso were in the spotlight
Photo credit: Mariame Touré with her permission for use
A form of therapy for children
Hospital center officials were alongside the children and their companions. This moment of communion shows us that in addition to its health role, the hospital has a social function which strongly contributes to the recovery of patients.
Professor Kissou Aimée, who is responsible for the pediatrics department at the CHUSS of Bobo-Dioulasso, did not hide her joy at seeing such an activity taking place within the largest health structure in Bobo-Dioulasso.
“I am a pediatrician and I know how important joy and distraction are for sick children. This not only helps them quickly regain their health, but also provides opportunities to make good memories.
I am convinced that many children will keep as memories of their hospitalization that these two hours of entertainment were an opportunity for them to have fun and be able to have a little fun. It’s a very nice initiative.”
Professor Kissou, head of the pediatric department at the CHUSS of Bobo-Dioulasso
Young patients in recovery receive their gifts
Photo credit: Mariame Touré with her permission for use
Professor Kissou pleads for the perpetuation of the Christmas tree which helps strengthen the links between patients and medical staff. The head of the CHUSS pediatric department says this:
“During the event, you saw majors from the pediatrics department who got into the spirit. It is a way of humanizing care, because patients and caregivers will have a different perspective towards the nursing staff. All this helps facilitate communication and collaboration in caring for children. »
She sent words of encouragement to the association Un enfant, Un smile pour la vision and urged them to continue this momentum.
The doctor also calls on charitable souls to support the association in various ways for a better influence of the activity.
Sustainability of the activity
According to the head of the pediatric department, we must support the association so that it can organize the Christmas tree outside of the Christmas period. The activity that took place at the CHUSS truly brought a breath of fresh air to everyone.
Mr. Somé, a patient’s companion who attended the Christmas tree, expressed himself in these terms:
“I welcome this Christmas tree with great common sense. I found myself at the emergency level and loWhen I went out to take a breather, I noticed that there was some activity. I am aI got close and seeing the atmosphere, I was excited. Seeing the children dancing is heartwarming. This can help children in their healing process.” Mr. Somé made an interesting correlation between a state of joy and healing.
“A sick person who performs dance steps can be said to be on the road to recovery. It’s a real moment of conviviality where we feel joy” will say the patient’s companion, who encourages the association to increase this type of initiatives in the establishment in order to bring happiness to hospitalized children. Various medical specialists have demonstrated that our psychological state strongly influences our health.
Photo credit: Mariame Touré with her permission for use
Support the association
The happier we are, the more we cause our immune system to strengthen by producing a certain type of hormones. The process is even more significant in children.
Mariame Sawadogo/Touré is a model who demonstrates that everyone, at their own level, can contribute to improving the lives of others with small gestures that can have enormous impacts.
The young woman who is very empathetic and generous towards others enjoys contact with children. This is one of the main reasons which pushed her to choose pediatrics in her academic career.
“Basically, I am a person who really loves children. I felt the need to bring a smile to the faces of children who suffer on a daily basis due to illness. This is how I came up with the idea of starting a Christmas tree with activities and gifts to bring joy to these children.
A feeling of joy animates us after each Christmas tree. We are happy to have been able to accomplish something, to have been able to bring a smile back to these children. We are in our 4th edition of the Christmas tree and the objective is to reach as many sick children as possible, not only hospitalized children, but also children who develop chronic illnesses and live at home with them. »
Mariame Sawadogo/Touré head of the association One Child, One Smile
It doesn’t take much to bring joy to a child. Instant Christmas tree at the Bobo-Dioulasso University Hospital with the association Un smile, un enfant pic.twitter.com/E6gHcoDPg4
— Amos Traore (@perseveranceman) January 29, 2024
With her determination, her leadership, her desire to enhance the daily lives of young patients, Mariame and her association spare no effort to achieve their goal.
The One Child, One Smile association achieves a lot with very little. The mission of this young structure is very noble, but it needs financial support to continue to have a positive impact on the lives of sick children.
Photo credit: Mariame Touré with her permission for use
“For lack of financial resources, we are forced to limit ourselves to a few children. We frequently receive donations late and this causes unforeseen events in our coordination. With a little more financial support, we would be able to properly deploy our actions for the happiness of children. I would like to send a message to public and private structures for efficient support so that we can have a positive impact on the lives of these children.
We ask them to believe in us and in our mission. For future editions, with the aim of providing an even more unforgettable experience for children, we are planning innovations. In fact, our team plans to place the children on stage so that they themselves can animate the Christmas tree through playback, brooms and theater. Our vision is to be able to support these children throughout the therapeutic process.”
Mariame Sawadogo/Touré
An example to accompany
The One Child, One Smile association helps to bring light into the difficult daily lives of sick children at the Bobo-Dioulasso CHUSS. Humans are made up of energies and emotions and when these emotions are tormented, their energy flow is disrupted.
During the Christmas tree, we were able to see children who arouse admiration. At their young ages, they courageously face illness and the smile they displayed during the activity is a life lesson.
Happiness comes from a few things and this is the message that Mariame Sawadogo/Touré conveys through her association. The young woman deserves to be encouraged.
Burkina is facing numerous security and socio-economic challenges and a large number of children are affected.
The medical staff at the Bobo-Dioulasso CHUSS do a fantastic job to properly care for patients, even if the technical support is often insufficient.
The association One Child, One Smile contributes in its own way to building a better Burkina. The Bobolese public, national and international, can support this young association through donations in kind and in cash.
Any help will be welcome. By donating, you help shape the life of a sick child who, once recovered, will be able to help build a better world.
As Hippocrates said: “Disease progresses in your body when your mind attracts bad vibrations. Smile at life even in the darkest moments and you will see that your body is your medicine”
Mariame Sawadogo/Touré is available at the following addresses:
Phone number : +226 75 43 58 88/ +226 76 99 34 15
Mail address : [email protected]
Photo credit: Mariame Touré with her permission for use Before the start of the Christmas tree, a blood donation operation was organized
Photo credit: Mariame Touré with her permission for use