Every Thursday from 9 am-12 pm, I volunteer at one of our local government hospitals through the organization KACCH. It's the very hospital where my husband was born (many, many years ago), though it's taken on a different look since then.
About a month ago, the elevator wasn't working and the pediatric ward just happens to be on the 9th floor. Instead of shouting and complaining as so many others were doing, I headed up the stairs and now I do it weekly. Definitely gets the old heart pumping.
About a month ago, the elevator wasn't working and the pediatric ward just happens to be on the 9th floor. Instead of shouting and complaining as so many others were doing, I headed up the stairs and now I do it weekly. Definitely gets the old heart pumping.
Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital was founded in 1989 to help families cope with the stresses of having children in hospital. It is managed by volunteers and funded by donations.
Our main goal with the children, of course, is to take their minds off the fact that they are hospitalized. We play lots of games and do arts and crafts. Let me just say that some of the games the kids pick really challenge my memory function and reflexes.
I'm often asked to prepare different artwork related to a theme or event. Last month it was the National/Liberation Day celebrations, so we made projects with black, green, red and white, the colors of the Kuwait flag.
On quiet days, I am able to crochet. I make hearts that I leave behind for the staff and children.
And one time I even taught one of the volunteers how to crochet a chain, which she promptly turned into a headband.
And one time I even taught one of the volunteers how to crochet a chain, which she promptly turned into a headband.
I crocheted a hat for one of the baby dolls.
And now have been asked to crochet clothes for this little lovely.
Last week I was pleased to donate knitted and crocheted hats (the knitted ones were made by my friend Karen) for real babies in the hospital.
Along with three crocheted baby blankets.
When I got home, I received a call from the KACCH Supervisor thanking me for my donations and all the work I do with the children.
Service to a just cause rewards the worker with more real happiness and satisfaction than any other venture of life.
Carrie Chapman Catt
Happy Friday!
18 comments:
Hi Tammy... once again, the things you do are wonderful! What can be better and more rewarding than to help others? I am sure the kids would feel much better when involved in all those activities. It is such a stress reliever... Great!
Have a nice weekend and enjoy!
GOD be with you Tammy! YOu are doing a wonderful act. Touching so many souls. Its an omen service to the sick children.
Lovely little hearts must be bringing a smile on the recipients face... Go on ......
Wow!It´s great exercize for you. You get that from your daily
walks too of course. That´s why 9th floor maybe is like 99th floor
for someone else... ;)=
It sounds like a really fun volunteering to go to the childrens
department at the hospital and make them laugh and have fun. :)
Fun curiosa that your husband is born at the same place.
The knitted hearts are really cute!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Susssie
great job : you have a big heart!!!
xxxxx Ale
While I was reading this bright-hearted post the sun just came up after a day and night of mizzling rain...Friday is off to a great start! Thanks, Tammy :)
That's so great that you volunteer there. :) Maybe someday I'll do volunteer work.
That's also great about the stairs. I never take the elevator at my work and we're on the 4th floor which I make it a point to climb up and down at least 6 times each day, so at least 24 flights of stairs each day for me which I attribute to keeping my legs trim in addition to the running and walking. I'm kind of a fanatic about that nowdays. ;)
Hope you have a great weekend!!
I have just 4 more work days next week and we will be off for Dauphin Island, Alabama and some lovely beaches.
Linda
A wonderful form of volunteering. Helping not only the young patients... But their parents, as well. Because it must take a load off of parent's minds, knowing someone is helping distract their children, from "where they are."
Gentle hugs,
Tessa
Tammy this post just did my heart a lot of good! What a wonderful thing to volunteer with the children. It's so hard for the Littles to be in the hospital and to have someone like you take time out of their day to help take their minds off of where they are, well it's a great gift.
Love all of the goodies that you made with your yarn. One of the big things that I do is make hats for the babies at the hospital and I always take a few blankets and burial buntings along too. They are received with such joy from the nurses. I just know that your gifts are welcomed just as much. What a beautiful heart you have Tammy. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Blessings, Betsy
Tammy, you continue to inspire me. I'm so impressed that you're volunteering with the children in the hospital and that you walk up 9 flights to do so even more amazing! Seeing what you are doing with your life now is wonderful. I feel sorry for kids in the hospital. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I loved how involved you are and are always trying to make the life of kids....colorful. You are a great lady!
You are amazing, Tammy! I can imagine the joy in those kids faces every time they see you. Have a great weekend!
I admire you dear for your constant giving of your time, talents and gifts. Children in hospital are so fortunate to have you spend time with them each week. And...they can keep your mind sharp trying to keep up. Bless you my friend...
Oh so wonderful! I love all the little hats! When my youngest was born, she got a hat and I still have it. Lovely of you to give your time and skills to make those children's lives a little bit happier. :) Kit
You are an amazing woman, Tammy! Bless you for doing this for the children and your community.
Dearest Tammy,
What a lovely post with photos from your beautiful volunteer work.
For children is the best investment and you never know what impressions that will leave behind; for life.
Great work and how precious that the volunteer worker managed to crochet a hair band!
Love the quotes on the stair cases; that is SO very true.
Did the mail still not arrive?
So glad that I managed to complete all posts for Pieter about his China, Hong Kong and Taiwan trip. Feels so good and it is scary at times realizing his age... He enjoyed reliving the trip.
Now I'm dealing with a lot of photos that I put together for my 1st cousin, from Mom, my Maternal Grandmother and some photos from Pieter and me. I also translated several of my blogposts (with the translator, not correct but readable) and made them into Pdf formats for her to read... Lots of work but her birthday is coming up on April 4 and it has to go out on Monday. Mail is moving slowly to any country!
This 1st cousin will be 84 so she is not on the Internet like we are... More complicated to pass things on or to communicate.
Next I promised a Turkish woman to help her with a resume so I have to do that tomorrow. But like you discovered, such work is so rewarding!
Sending you hugs and blessings.
Mariette
You are an incredible lady, Tammy, and I feel very much this way about anyone who volunteers. It's so selfless. And working with children warms my heart, it takes a special touch. Good for you taking the stairs. That's great cardio!
Come to Chicago and teach me to crochet. I am terrible trying to read instructions, even follow You Tube. I can follow along with a HUMAN next to me!!!!
Love to you,
Jane
You share the best quotes, Tammy! Through the years I have found it interesting when others have praised my volunteer efforts...especially in the case of choosing to adopt children, because I did so not to be noble but for the joy of having children even though I realized that life with them would have challenges to the joy of having them. I'm glad you are enjoying your volunteer work, and especially like how you are incorporating crocheted hearts into your efforts. Thanks for posting! xx
Hi Tammy ... I would also like to donate stuff like crochet stuff ... or can I just drop it off at this hospital ?
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