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Miracle Baby: A Child Finds Redemption in Haiti's Slums

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When Sarah Conque left her home in Louisiana to advocate for disabled children in Haiti, she never thought she would return home with someone else's dying child.

After getting certified as a therapeutic recreation specialist, Sarah decided to move to Haiti to work with Danita's Children Medical Center, a non-profit organization that rescues and cares for orphaned and impoverished children. 

One day while she was working, a young Haitian woman entered the clinic holding her 3-month-old baby named Nika. Nika had a life-threatening condition called hydrocephalus, in which there is so much fluid build-up on the brain, the child's head swells up to a disproportionate size.

"I immediately invited the young woman to begin joining us in recreation therapy twice a week with Nika," Conque said. "I knew she was young and overwhelmed with this great responsibility, so I encouraged her and worked to find all the resources she needed to keep Nika in her care."

Nika continued to get medical treatment and was even scheduled for a life-saving surgery that would drain the fluid from her brain. But the surgery plans came to a grinding halt when Conque got news that Nika's mother abandoned her.

Conque drove to Nika's mother's village looking for the child, hoping she was still alive after going months without seeing a doctor.

"I entered the house, only to discover Nika completely alone in the house lying on a rice sack and surrounded by trash, circled by dogs. She was 11 months old and weighed only six pounds. An estimated three to four pounds of that weight being fluid build up," Conque said. 

That is when Conque had to make the decision to either leave Nika or adopt her as her own daughter.

Conque decided to rescue the dying baby and obtain full legal custody. But when she took her to the hospital, Nika's organs were already shutting down. 

"We were fighting for her life," Conque said.

Doctors said Nika was dying and could only survive by the grace of God.

Almost overnight, the once dying child began to live again. Her vital signs improved and she was healthy enough for surgery. 

Conque moved her to the United States where Nika has better access to medicine. Now she is much healthier, stronger, and is surrounded by a community that loves her. 

Conque gives all the glory for her Nika's recovery to God. 

"Nika is continually making progress and developing with every passing day. With every breath she takes, she defies the odds and proves the impossible is truly possible with God."

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