The Boy Who Survived Hell and Chose to Build Heaven

Growing up in a loving home in Belgium and Poland, young Henri’s life felt almost perfect. Then, at just thirteen years old, his entire world was shattered.

As the Nazis swept across Europe, everything beautiful in Henri’s life was swept away with them. His father was arrested and executed. His mother, his sister Margo, and Henri himself were torn apart and sent to separate concentration camps, places built for mass execution.

One night, Henri lay dying in a filthy bunker, surrounded by corpses and the moans of the dying. Too weak to move, he drifted in and out of consciousness. Suddenly, he was awakened by a stranger who slipped through the door, gave him a pill and some water, and disappeared into the darkness. The next morning, Henri woke up healed.

He survived unimaginable cruelty and torture. Then came the day they marched him and two other prisoners into the woods to be executed. For no logical reason, the Nazi soldier lowered his rifle and said, “I’m tired of killing.” He fired shots into the air and told them to run. Against all odds, Henri was free.

Driven by a desperate hope to rebuild what remained of his family, he walked over 500 miles, asking everyone he met if they had seen his mother or sister. He eventually learned his mother had died just weeks before the war ended. His only remaining hope was Margo, whom he lovingly called “Doda.” Miraculously, he found her.

Henri emigrated to New York and began rebuilding their lives from nothing. Henri carried deep bitterness and hatred toward the Nazis for many years. But as he worked through his pain, he poured himself into the hotel business, learning the power of serving others. Over time, he became very successful.

In 1986, Henri’s life took another unexpected turn. While arranging a stay at his Holiday Inn for a little girl with incurable cancer who dreamed of visiting Disney World, the girl passed away before the trip could happen. Her death broke something open in Henri. He made a vow: No more children would die without their greatest dream coming true. That promise gave birth to Give Kids The World.

In its first year, the organization brought 380 families to Orlando. Henri personally convinced Disney, SeaWorld, and many other attractions to provide VIP experiences for these critically ill children and their families. Every single one agreed immediately.

Today, Give Kids The World has grown into a breathtaking 35-acre “dream village” in Orlando dedicated entirely to families with seriously ill children. With over 3,000 volunteers and tens of thousands of families served, it continues to pour joy into lives that would otherwise know only pain and fear.

In 2013, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Give Kids The World, our own family of eight was welcomed as VIP guests. It was an unforgettable gift for our two sick children, Jessica and John. The memories we made there remain among our most treasured.

Henri, thank you. Thank you for refusing to let your suffering make you bitter, and for choosing instead to turn it into a lifetime of love and hope for thousands of children and families, including ours.

Thank you to every volunteer at Give Kids The World who serves with such compassion. You are truly changing the world, one joyful, unforgettable day at a time.