Meet the ‘superheroes’ of Al Jalila volunteer programme
VOLUNTEERS OF ‘HEROES OF AL JALILA’ PROGRAMME HELP CHILD PATIENTS AND PARENTS GET OVER THE STRESS OF BEING IN A HOSPITAL
A recently launched programme at Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital is transforming volunteers into “superheroes” who share the “super powers” of creativity and happiness with children being treated at the hospital. The new programme called
Abtal Al Jalila (Heroes of Al Jalila), was first launched in August 2017 by Uhoud Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness and Quality of Life, who was listed as volunteer number one of the programme.
Around 400 volunteers have registered in the programme over the last five months, with 60 active so-called superheroes who regularly visit the hospital, Dr Mohammad Al Awadi, chief operating officer at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, told Gulf News.
“We don’t want this place to be just a hospital, we want it to be a place where children can come and feel better and feel at home. Everything we do here — from the rooms to the waiting areas — is child-friendly. We try as much as we can to eliminate the stress of being in a hospital, with small things like gadgets, play therapy, the entertainment centre, and our superheroes,” said Dr Al Awadi.
Volunteers at the programme take turns to interact with children in any of the hospital’s five departments — the heart centre for excellence, kidney centre for excellence, critical care centre, neuro sciences department and mental health department.
“We have volunteers that sit and colour with children who are undergoing a dialysis treatment, while others interact with children in the waiting area before seeing a doctor. The main aim is to make them feel comfortable and put a smile on their face,” said Dr Al Awadhi.
Most volunteers are given activity paper sheets and colouring books to interact with the children, while others prefer to use their talents of playing an instrument, or showcase their skills at balloon-bending etc. Children also have the option of being accompanied by a volunteer to play on an iPad or on the PlayStation at the entertainment
centre.
“The volunteers’ main role is to provide positive interactions with both patients and families, and to assist wherever needed,” said Dr Al Awadi.
Gulf News spoke with two of the hospital’s superheroes during an exclusive tour of the hospital who take time out of their busy schedule to spend time with the children.
Tina Modarresi, 31, from Iran, has been volunteering at the hospital for over three months. “I really like social work and I came across an article and saw that Al Jalila hospital needs volunteers, so I applied online and a couple of weeks later, I was contacted,” said Modarresi.
She pointed out that before joining the programme, volunteers were briefed during a seminar where they were informed about the hospital’s rules and regulations along with their roles as superheroes, and the dos and don’ts.
“We have very nice uniforms, along with a cape. You feel how special it is when you wear it, because people — especially children — start asking you what it is. We are actually superheroes to the children and that is how they know us and connect with us,” said Modarresi.
She pointed out that she likes to think of herself as a superhero with many super powers. She enjoys colouring, drawing, reading, and even chatting with the children in the waiting areas.
Mariam Mansouri, 35, from Iran, comes in once or twice a week, often to visit her favourite patient, baby Reem.
“I have been volunteering at the hospital since September of last year, and my favourite patient is a five-year-old with double kidney failure. She previously had spent time with other volunteers, but ended up connecting with me and finally chose me to be her superhero,” said Mansouri.
She said other volunteering programmes she had taken part were not very organised, and often made her feel more sad than helpful. “With Al Jalila’s programme ... you are able to help the patients feel better and be involved without being invasive or useless.”
Mansouri said her aim is to provide support not only to the patients but also to their parents who often spend long periods of time at the hospital with no one to talk to.
“I have lived in Dubai since I was three, so it’s home to me. What got me interested in volunteering is the thought that I am in a country that has given me so much, and I wanted to do something to give back,” she said.
My favourite patient is a five-year-old with double kidney failure. She previously had spent time with other volunteers, but ended up connecting with me and finally chose me to be her superhero.” Mariam Mansouri | Volunteer, 35
We have very nice uniforms, along with a cape. You feel how special it is when you wear it, because people ask you what it is. We are actually superheroes to the children and that is how they know us and connect with us.” Tina Modarresi | Volunteer, 31