Pupil with kidney problem happy to make friends

KULIM: Year One pupil Visvaan Nair suffers from kidney disease, but is nevertheless excited to begin his school life.

He was one of 90 pupils who went to school for the first time at SK Paya Besar here yesterday.

“It is great to go to school and make new friends,” he said.

The younger of two siblings, who has to carry a special plastic bag around to drain bodily fluids, said he was not affected by his condition.

“Friends ask me (about the bag), but they do not touch it. They just look from afar,” he said.

Visvaan’s grandmother, N. Prema, 58, who has been taking care of him since he was a baby, said he could not wait to go to school yesterday morning.

“He had been very active since preschool, even after he became sick. He has to be a little cautious now because of the special bag.”

Prema said her grandson was diagnosed with kidney disease in December 2016.

“His right kidney does not function. Apparently, he has had the disease since he was a baby. However, we did not know about it until he fell ill in December 2016.”

Prema said a medical examination on Jan 8 would determine whether he required surgery.

“I am a little worried that other pupils would try to touch the bag.

“However, the teachers have assured me that they will monitor the situation and let him sit in the front row of the class.”

In Sik, twins Mohammad Isyraf Danish Rizulakhir and Mohammad Isyraf Darwish were among 109 pupils who began Year One at SK Sik.

Their father, Rizulakhir Dahri, 31, said that although it was difficult to wake them up in the morning, both of them were eager to start school.

“They are not mischievous. The elder one, Danish, is very excited. They blended in with their new friends.

“As for the preparations before the schooling session, my wife, Noraini Rozali, 31, and I bought the items required in batches.

“There is no theme or matching colours for them. We let them choose their bags and other equipment,” he said.

A mother, Norlida Saidin, 31, said her son Muhammad Zarif Zulkarnain was excited to begin school, and told her to pack him food. Bernama