Graça em Ação Provides Free Services in Manaus
08/11/2026
By André Santiago, from Ongrace
COMPARTILHE
Witnessing the recovery of a seriously ill child brings joy to those working in healthcare. However, treatments do not always end as expected. For professionals who face suffering and the possibility of death every day, finding the strength to continue caring for others can be a challenge.
Lohaine Chaves, who has worked in nursing for eight years, knows this reality firsthand. Caring for children battling serious illnesses exposes her to a daily routine that is emotionally demanding but also filled with hope. “There is something beautiful about caring for children, regardless of the complexity of their conditions. This work can be emotionally exhausting, and it truly is. Yet, somehow, there is always a very real sense of hope that makes all the effort worthwhile,” she says.
image: Lohaine Chaves / Personal Archive
A Christian since before beginning her career, Lohaine says that witnessing children’s suffering has not weakened her faith. On the contrary, her experiences in the hospital have strengthened her convictions. “Over the years, I have witnessed many miracles. It is truly something that renews my faith.”
Among the many stories she has experienced, some remain particularly vivid in her memory. One took place during her nursing residency, when she cared for a 2-year-old boy diagnosed with leukemia. Despite the challenges of treatment, the boy’s mother displayed a faith that deeply impressed the medical team. According to Lohaine, the child also enjoyed singing songs of praise, and both maintained a joyful and welcoming attitude.
Some time later, the nurse received an unexpected message. “A little over a year ago, the boy’s mother contacted me through social media to tell me that her son had fully recovered and was now 10 years old. It was wonderful to hear the news.”
For Lohaine, coping with the death of patients never becomes easy. She says every loss has been painful. During these moments, her faith in God provides a source of emotional strength. “I see my faith as a pillar that keeps me strong and helps me understand my purpose in this profession. It also allows me to bring comfort to grieving families.”
Her professional experience has also transformed the way she understands the fragility of life. Encountering so many different stories, the nurse strives to provide each patient with care rooted in empathy, respect and dedication. “Every day, I seek to do my work as if I were doing it for the Lord, understanding that every family and every child who comes into my care is valuable and deserves to be treated that way,” she says.
She sums up the purpose she strives to fulfill in her daily work at the hospital: “Every day at work, I want to be like Jesus.”
