
Life is great when we add a little sunshine and laughter to it. This is especially true for people living with sickle cell, especially the young ones who know more about pains, medications and hospital stays than more children their age group.
I have been an active member of the Etougebe Baptist Hopsital Sickle Cell Clinic for a while and I had this desire to help the younger warriors to see life beyond hospitals and pain. To help them see that they can have fun and happy moments without the hospital and when the young Dr in charge of the clinic, Dr Michael Budzi also bought the idea, we got about preparing for a picnic with whatever resources we had. We are both not very familiar with the City of Yaounde, so we had to scout out the town and find suitable places where children could gather for a fun few hours. Eco-park was a first choice but we were working within a tight budget. We had to settle for Bois Sainte Anatasie at the Carrefour Warda neighbourhood. It was also a great place, but with limited fun infrastructures. Still, we couldn’t keep pushing the Fun Day out until we had enough cash. We therefore decided to start small while we hopefully plan for bigger and thus, 24th November, 2018 was agreed upon and it thankfully, came to pass. It was not hitch free.
There were a few delays as some things were not ready on time and because we had postponed it before, we were wary about the parents taking us for jokers lol. Thankfully, despite this little start problems, we made it. The weather cooperated and the sun shone brightly. We made it to the place before the population of Yaounde started coming in and the mosquitoes too. The Media House, CRTV was present and it was heartwarming to hear the kids … that is those who wanted too … talk about their future and dreams and aspirations. We had to apologize to parents who didn’t feel comfortable with their kids talking on camera, even though the kids themselves came forward to talk and we had to emphasize that the whole thing we are involved in is in #BreakingTheSIlence and Stigma around sickle cell and they need not be ashamed of because sickle cell is not some crime committed in which we need to feel shame.
Yours truly was asked why the picnic idea and I said to help the kids see life beyond hospital and pain and to make them understand limitations is only in their heads. With just a little more care, they can live a normal and healthy lifestyle even with sickle cell. I also had to emphasize on the need of knowing our genotypes to make informed decisions and the fact that parents should take care of their warrior kids because it is a genetic blood disorder and not witchcraft. Dr Mike and Ms Olivia Acha Morfaw had their own wise words to add. We had fun as we played games like cards, scrabbles, word games, Charades etc and ended the day with some yummy and healthy bites provided by Miss Monique Tina of Tina’s Cuisine.It was a memorable few hours and it was very satisfying to see parents and kids alike happy. One progress at a time, as we work towards demystifying sickle cell and helping kids and parents see life beyond hospital and pain. As we look forward to more of such programs, we continue to appreciate all who have been helping us make this possible.
Hi Arrey,
Thanks for sharing this update and fun day out. It sounds so special and lovely. I hope the kids had a lot of fun. You're such an inspiration to them, for sure. I hope you have more of them, too. Hope you're doing well, and having a great day!
Hello Jill, Thank you for reading through. Yes, the kids had so much fun. In order not to tire them out, we tried to keep it short as we gauged their reaction since it was a first time. It was about 5+ hours of fun, laughter and games. We wish for more after this and my wish is we would be able to with the support from others. I am doing great, thank you. Hope you are too. Sending you hugs and sunshine.
Hi Arrey:-) You're welcome, dear. That sounds like quite a long duration to me, so that's good. Yes, it will happen:-) Looking forward to hearing about the next event. Glad you are doing well:-) I'm doing well, thanks. Aw, right back at you.... it worked... we have sunshine:-) XOXO
Yeah! Enjoy the sunshine, Jill Yes, it was long enough for them to have fun without tiring them out and it worked well. I sure will keep the updates if we get another Fun day out. Hugs to you.
I know, right:-) Love it! You, too, sweets:-) Hope you have a fab day!
Dear Arrey,
I guess you had a lots of fun :-) it looks like you did.
I like your question "How many people have you impacted since your last update?" I think we all have to personalise this question and all work toward sickle cell awareness campaign.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Kind regards
Lizzy
Dear Lizzy, Thank you very much. Yes, we had so much fun for 5plus hours. Thank you for the remark on the question. Actually, it is not my question. The question is automatically asked by WP if you have a change maker campaign tab and you post under it. Such activities related to my #BreakTheSilence Campaign are posted under my campaign tab and so the question comes in automatically each time I use the tab to post any updates about my activities. I hope this helps. Hugs
Ooh wow! Its a great M/E technique ;-).
Regards
Dear Arrey
Thank you for your initiative. It's not always easy to convince the parents that their child is not being exploited because of the stigma and everything, but what matters most is you guys had fun. Thank you for making them smile.
Lots of hugs
Theresa
Hello Theresa, Thank you for reading. You are right, it is not always that easy to convince parents especially when it comes to their child. Slowly bu surely, one day I hope we get there. I agree, the important was the few fun filled hours we had. Lots of hugs to you from Cameroon. Arrey
Thanks for making these kids feel fun. Sure it will help relieve some of the stress they are facing
Dear Damaris, That was exactly the reason behind the picnic. To help them see the other side of life beyond hospital and pain. Thank you for reading. Hugs, Arrey
hello Arrey
thanks for sharing your fun day with us i hope you did enjoy the day.
Hello Edith, Thank you for reading. Yes, we had lots of fun.
Hi ARREY - ECHI!
Thank you for sharing this update and this fun day. I hope the children were happy? Continue, I'm going to you.
Hello Brigitte, Thank you for reading. Yes, it was so much fun for everyone.
Hi!
Thank you so much.
So nice that you are able to provide some joy to these children.
Beth
Dear Beth, Thank you. It was necessary to make them have some fun away from the hospital. Thank you for reading.
Dear Arrey,
I bet the children had a lot of fun.This is a great initiative ,keep the good work dear Sis.
Dear Sis Olubee, Thank you very much, I sure will. Yes, it was fun. Everyone went home happy.
I really love this and the numerious effort.thanks for giving them life...
Thank you dear Beltivate for reading and for the kind words.
Arrey dear,
Am so proud of you. Looking beyond your own pain to alienate or lessen that of others is laudable. Am glad you all had fun. Am sure their experience of life will be totally different thanks to you.
Godspeed darl and cheers to much more