Faith and Love Transform the Lives of Hospitalized Children

For children, the experience of staying at a hospital can be challenging and frightening, experts say.

Against this background, the Nutrition and Dietetics Services of Belém Adventist Hospital in Belém, Pará, Brazil, has been offering a program to encourage and support children staying at the health-care institution’s pediatric ward.

Titled “An Adventure with Jesus,” the initiative includes hands-on activities in a welcoming atmosphere to help hospitalized children feel less isolated in the face of their challenges.

Joy and Love in the Recovery Process

The hospital environment can be intimidating and stressful for children facing illness or injury, leaders behind the program said. The team strives to be aware of how the hospital’s young patients are feeling. In October, the pediatric unit was filled with joy through activities, games, and souvenirs. Organizers planned these programs not only to bring smiles to children but also to welcome their families.

For Thalita Dantas, manager of Nutrition and Dietetics Services, the focus is to look for ways to make treatment and hospitalization lighter.

“We know that moments of joy are essential for the recovery and well-being of children,” she said. “Organizing this program is a way to provide relief, even if momentarily, from concerns related to their disease. For us as a multiprofessional team, it is important to invest in actions that promote a human outlook and make these moments special. We want the children to feel good, as if they were living a real adventure, even in a hospital,” Dantas said.

The program includes coloring and lots of fun for everyone. [Photo: Belém Adventist Hospital]

Storytelling with puppets is part of the moments of interaction with the young patients. [Photo: Belém Adventist Hospital]

At various times, hospitalized children had the opportunity to talk to God. [Photo: Belém Adventist Hospital]

Commitment to Humanized Care

Eliane Salles, mother of 10-year-old Eliel Luis, recently shared her experience. She pointed out that, as a mother, it was life-changing to be recipient of the love and dedication of the hospital team.

“They don’t do it just because it’s their job,” Salles said. “In every detail, it becomes visible that they really like what they do. Their love for others is comforting.”

Salles acknowledges the grief that hospitalization brings, especially for a child. However, she found comfort when she witnessed the presentations, the sessions for playing, and the special musical activities that her son experienced during the days he was confined to a hospital bed. “He got to learn the songs, and the best of all is that they talk about God’s Word. There is nothing better than teaching our children about God’s love from an early age, teaching them to love Him and others.”

The team is always ready to smile and bring cheer to hospitalized children. [Photo: Belém Adventist Hospital]

Parents and children participated in the program activities. [Photo: Belém Adventist Hospital]

Drama sketches based on the Bible also help young patients to feel better during their challenging days of hospitalization. [Photo: Belém Adventist Hospital]

Every activity is designed to show affection and make hospitalized children feel better, team leaders behind the initiative say. [Photo: Belém Adventist Hospital]

Transforming Activities and Care

This was the first time in his life that Eliel required hospitalization, Salles said. “Thank God, he has been feeling well. From the first day, the program caught his attention, especially painting. He loved it!” she said, sharing how Eliel received a gift kit and brought it to his room, where he began to paint.

Salles also shared that at first, Eliel was afraid because everything was new to him. But as the days passed and the schedule unfolded, he became more relaxed and excited to play.

“He wanted more and more,” she said. “Overall, it was a positive experience.”

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.