Since 1986, Hôpital Sacré Coeur has hosted an ambulatory Nutrition Center that attends to malnourished children referred by health professionals affiliated with the hospital.
Up to January 2010, right before the earthquake, the nutrition center served 55 children with daily meals: breakfast and lunch, and offered programs aimed at the recuperation and rehabilitation of malnourished preschool age children.
After the earthquake, the building housing the nutrition center was converted into part of the emergency facilities, along with other buildings and tents needed for the earthquake victims from Port-au-Prince. In June 2010, the facilities were assigned
back to the nutrition center, which re-started operations.
The building however was the worse for the needed wear and the area surrounding the center changed dramatically. Now, the center sits on a busy street, next to a large maintenance building that houses numerous heavy equipment vehicles such as forklifts and dump trucks.
Construction workers and equipment congregate in this area adding to the noise and activity. The cumulative congestion of this area poses a serious concern for the well-being of the children and the intended serenity of the center.
Thanks to fast-acting and incredibly generous donors, the children will soon grace a beautiful, well-equipped center on a quiet area on campus. Dr. Stuart Embury, President of Christian Sojourn Haiti, Inc. in Holdrege, Nebraska, answered the prayers for a new center with a grant for building costs. John Gilbertie and other members of St. Cecilia Parish in Wilbraham, MA and Carl J. Turissini, M.D. of Middlesex Cardiology Associates of Melrose, MA, and his friends and family contributed additional funds to outfit the building and provide age and educational appropriate furnishings.
Surrounded by large mahogany trees and situated away from heavily trafficked areas, the new center includes: kitchen facilities, bathrooms, indoor play areas, dining area, nap time area, two classrooms, educational media, medical assessment area, office, and outdoor playground.
