By the end of 1999 I became early retired so that I could realize a project I had been longing for : becoming a volunteer.

As I had always been  attracted by the medical world, I had taken courses in first help and I wanted to work for hospitalized children.

But why with the department for burned people ?

At that time, my best friend Anne-Marie was already a volunteer in that department in Neder-over-Heembeek. I relayed her a few times to better know the Burns Centre, and so I became acquainted with my first patient Yvonne, a lovely little girl of 5 ½ years old.  Recently I have met again during her last surgery : she has become a beautiful young lady.

Some 10 years later, I am still active taking care of burned children, 18 of them, so far !  Their age varies between 7 months and 12 years old. I  accompany them day or night, one or two days at a time. But I also spent four to five nights a week, for three months, with a three-year old child that had severely been burned.

As a conclusion : what do I get from that volunteer work ?

Loads of affection, but first and foremost a big lesson in courage from those little ones facing their burns.

Are you tempted ? 
Do not hesitate and join the Pinocchio volunteers.

Francine