I didn't actually go to Haiti to make this short documentary - rather Wesly came to Geneva. Not that I was living in Geneva or anything, I was actually living in Bhutan at the time. But the NCD Alliance had brought me and Wesly to Geneva - so he could participate in a workshop for people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and I could film it. 

 

We both arrived from our respective sides of the world a few days early so we could record Wesly's story and the images needed to go with it. 

 

I really liked Wesly, he has a great sense of humour and fun, he is kind and considerate and loves his football and museums, so we had a lot in common. 

 

I can't imagine what it was like to go through what he went through, being in so much pain and discomfort for so long, almost dying before reaching 20 years old. And his passion for life is inspiration, and a reminder that we should never take what we have, least of all our health, for granted. 

 

But he was so lucky to get the help of several NGOs in order to get his operation, luck that many in Haiti and around the world don't have. That's why he's advocating for equitable global access to healthcare now, and hopefully people listen and do something about it.

 

If you want to support the organisations that supported him, you can contact them via their websites:

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http://www.haiticardiac.org/
https://www.pih.org/country/haiti
https://www.healthcitycaymanislands.com/

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Cheers, 

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Kim

07/01/2018