To make the dreams of ill children come true: such is the drive of Oumnia, a non-profit organization inspired by the Paris-based Petit Prince that pioneered the concept. "We realised that there was nothing for children in the hospitals, and decided to do something about it," explains president Nayla Aoun, who studied to be a nurse and had a long experience at the Red Cross before becoming a founding member of Oumnia. As for vice-president Marie-Gabrielle Phares, who studied music, she had been working with children for years in her quality of singing and theater teacher at the Collège Louise Wegmann. Now in their late fifties the two women with their energetic group of volunteers of all ages are bringing their experience to a cause that got little attention so far.
Oumnia was recognized by a ministerial decree two years ago. At the time it operated in Hôtel-Dieu, in whose paediatric service the experiment began, and the Sacré-CSur, but recently it expanded to cover Hayek Hospital as well. "We discover needs as we go and we fill them," says Aoun. For instance they realised early on that children in dialysis (an intervention performed for kidney failure, consisting in cleaning the kidneys three times a week) spent hours attached to the apparatus without any kind of distraction. Dealing with such children, who have to return constantly, was a beneficial learning experience for Oumnia as it enabled them to approach both the children and their parents and redefine their purpose more clearly. "We have 28 members who are constantly on the field. All the active members give a minimum of three hours of their time once a week in one of the hospitals."
On the one hand they bring toys and stories to read to the kids, as well as portable computers installed with games. "The computer is a great way for them to forget themselves completely," says Aoun. "But we only have two, and now we have to somehow manage with three hospitals. It's getting complicated."
On the other hand the volunteers are a friendly presence much needed by the parents. "We are a helping shoulder for the parents," Phares elaborates. "They often need a stranger's ear after bottling up for long periods of time. It's part of our work."
As the need for a follow-up became evident, Oumnia financed a psychanalyst to come in twice a week at their Badaro premises in order to meet with children (or even their parents) and help them face the illness. "Oumnia's goals for the children are autonomy, independence, and communication. We also make them conscientious towards their studies, because very often these children miss school for months and then have a hard time returning."
A volunteer is likely to face grave situations, and must be duly trained before being allowed on the field. To this end training and conferences are given by specialists, from psychoanalyst to paediatrician. There exists a volunteers' chart that stipulates among other things that members are held to professional secrecy. They must avoid transferring emotions onto the children they take care of, and need to leave all her place to the mother. Phares also insists that they do not interfere or give advice: "We are here to listen, to bring joy, to allow the mother to take a few steps outside and breathe."
Unique in Lebanon is Oumnia's organisation of shows in the hospitals. Mimes, puppet masters, "hospiclowns", scouts, all lend a hand to bring a few hours of wonder and laughter to currently or formerly hospitalized children. This is also the chance to involve people that would have liked to donate their time to Oumnia, but are judged too young for the hospital rounds: "We don't to fragilise the young. They have to live their own lives before taking care of others and facing children afflicted with illness. But for this kind of event, we appreciate their help." The proceeds from the sale of the tickets represent the association's main source of income. Otherwise they rely solely on donations and the members' own pockets, even for the psychanalyst's visits.
Occasionally, when the number of children is sufficient, other activities are organized. Last year around Easter, a craft workshop saw the children of all confessions decorating cardboard eggs with colourful materials they were provided. When possible, and with the agreement of the physician treating them, they are taken out on picnics.
Oumnia has great ambitions for the future. "Our dream is to create colonies for ill children, but we don't see this happening before 8 or 9 years. It would require much infrastructure and qualified personnel." They also plan on expanding their action over the whole Lebanese territory. Finally, Oumnia's ultimate goal is the fulfilment of its motto, "Making the dream of ill children come true", which so far has had to remain on a modest scale. No limitation however can rein in the drive and care behind Oumnia's initiative: "Our members are happy: a child's smile is worth a lot of things," concludes Aoun.
For more information: tel 03-777227 Email: oumnia@thisiscyberia.com
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Article by Joumana Medlej |