Movie time at Cancer Hospital Maharagama children’s ward courtesy of JIT Group

Saturday, 4 July 2015 00:51 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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JIT team packing gift items​ IMG_20150530_095323

Movie Time at Children’s Ward Auditorium

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Musical interlude by Ayoush

A CSR program recently held at the children’s ward of the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama revealed the benefits that can be derived from reaching out to the children affected and their parents who are mentally and physically exhausted by cancer. A movie time was organised for them at the hospital auditorium by Just In Time (JIT) Group, for a brief time away from their wards to enjoy some relaxation. 

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the animated movie ‘Home’ and their laughter echoing throughout the auditorium was clear evidence. Following the movie, a musical interlude by Ayoush, the son of a JIT employee played the violin to the amusement of all present. Seeing all the children’s smiling faces despite their illness was truly a rewarding experience. Perhaps this would be one method of healing the minds of the patients and their caregivers.  

The employees of JIT Group organised this project with the assistance of Nurse Matron Maneka of the Children’s Ward and Maharagama Cancer Hospital Director Dr. G. Wijesuriya. Additionally for this program JIT Group also contributed towards providing the hospital auditorium with a new DVD Player! Each child was gifted with an art and crafts folder which contained; a drawing book, crayons, colour pencils, a sharpener, stickers, play dough, jigsaw puzzle and more. The parents of the children were given essential food rations; milk powder, tea, biscuits, soap and washing power which are required for their daily use. 

There are over 100 children residing and receiving treatments at the hospital at any given time. Children aged 1-12 are the majority of the group and have come from all regions of the country. The children need to stay at the hospital for a minimum of two months at best. Mostly a child stays with a mother during this time and since they miss school, the hospital also conducts programs to keep them occupied. 

Apart from their physical suffering they undergo due to the ailment and treatment, the hospital keeps their morale high by organising a host of activities. For instance, the Play House at the Children’s Ward, is used by children after their treatment which is encouraged. Activities of arts and crafts, reading and music are offered to the children because of its proven importance for the mental recuperation of a child who undergoes trauma, as Nurse Menaka shared with us.

Dr. Wijesuriya also shared that, “For cancer, you must treat not only the physical ailments but also the mind.” Counselling is also provided by the hospital to children and parents as there are cases of suicide because they are unable to bear the uncertainty which results in stress and depression. Furthermore, this program was to raise awareness for the staff at JIT Group to look beyond their work and be aware of the community’s needs at large. The experience received in talking to and listening to parents of the children about their journey and continuous struggles, was food for thought to everyone. Learning from the experience, JIT Group looks towards reaching beyond the boundaries of their work in assisting the community’s needs with effective measures in developing future CSR programs.

 

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