KUALA LUMPUR: IT was a fun day for children admitted to the paediatric unit in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) when volunteers from Najib Razak Club (NRC11) paid a visit recently.
Some 10 children, aged 1 to 12 years old, accompanied by their parents, were entertained with songs, dance and other activities before lunch was served.
The volunteers also visited the surgical, surgical and orthopaedic, and respiratory wards.
“My daughter was happy and I was delighted to see her dancing with the other children. It was nice to see the children enjoying themselves. Children get bored and restless, especially when they are cooped up in a hospital. This was a good initiative and programmes like this should be organised more often,” said Suhaila Aziz, 31, whose eight-year old daughter Nurul Arieesa was admitted for stomach pain.
Noni Jasmine Ibrahim, 40, a mother to three boys commended NRC11 for its effort.
She said her son, Darren Haider Jasmie, 10, has been in the hospital for 10 days for haemophilia.
“Sometimes, I take him to the cafeteria outside to get some fresh air. Although the event was only for a day, I am happy to see him having fun,” said Noni.
NRC11 volunteer, Ishvinder Singh, 23, said he has been volunteering for two years. His first volunteering experience was in Kuantan, Pahang when the city was hit by floods.
Ishvinder said it was an unforgettable experience for him, especially when dealing with families who had lost their loved ones.
“Besides providing assistance, we lent a shoulder to cry.
“I have also visited many old folk homes and orphanages.
“Communicating with senior citizens is sometimes more difficult compared with children as they bottle up their emotions inside and do not like opening up.
“With the children here, it was all about engaging with one another. We wanted to share as much fun and time with them.
“We want them to be happy and let them know that there are people who care about them,” said Ishvinder, who is currently finishing his degree in business administration at Multimedia University.
Amira Suriati Mohd Zin, 25, who heads the volunteer group, said under the Give A Smile project, NRC11 had conducted several programmes that offered volunteering services for senior citizens, orphans and victims who are affected by natural disaster.
“On this visit to the hospital, we wanted to offer assistance to patients who have been warded.
There are patients who have been in hospital for a month.
“As part of our ongoing effort, we wanted to give these children and their families moral support through activities.
“Since the paediatric institute in HKL is one of the largest paediatric ward nationwide, we are planning to continue with our initiatives and
we hope to visit once in three months.
“Our next event is a Christmas celebration with a home for the underprivileged in Kuantan on Dec 14.
There were 25 volunteers visiting the hospital and we also had volunteers from the Federal Territory Putera Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC),” she said, adding that the pediatric unit had expanded to 17 wards, treating children with different illnesses, from cancer, Thalassemia and infectious diseases.
She said the unit caters more than 400 patients, daily.
Amira said NRC11 had 8,500 members nationwide and some 10,000 followers on social media.
NRC11 is a movement which encourages volunteerism and intellectual discourse among Malaysians.
Under the supervision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the club advocates the nation’s agenda of serving the people.