An Eye Opening Visit

Recently a visit to CanKids (a unit of the Indian Cancer Society) at AIIMS was organized by the Interact Club of our school. Though we were somewhat mentally prepared to meet and interact with ailing, cancer-stricken children when we reached AIIMS and actually saw the gaunt and emaciated children we were rather taken aback. We were shocked to see them-- a few of them seemed to be in an advanced stage of the disease; they looked so sickly and pallid. However, we gathered our wits about us and went upto them with our goodie bags. On receiving the chips, chocolates, biscuits and toys their faces lit up with happiness and joy. I was appalled to see them relegated to a corner on the road; they had not even been provided with a basic room. Yet their spirits had not been dampened. On conversing with them we got to know that they were quite bright and intelligent. They rattled off poems, the alphabet, dialogues from films with incredible ease. A five year old girl, Nidhi Kumari, was particularly confident; she struck up a conversation with almost all of us and high-fived as were leaving. We were taken to the OPD as well. It was not a pretty sight. A hall overfull with patients waiting for their turn at the doctor did not paint a pretty picture. Some of them had been waiting for their turn for days. Nevertheless they were hopeful and optimistic. It was heartening to know that the support staff of CanKids were trying their level best to provide the children a holistic and cheerful environment to grow up in despite the limited resources. This visit was truly an eye opener. Cocooned in our world of comfort and luxury, we do not realize how fortunate and privileged we are that we do not have to face the grim realities of life. This visit was truly a wonderful one and I look forward to being a part of more such visits in the future.