Meet Abdul

Six-year-old Abdul is an active little guy. His dad, Ashraf, has concerns about developmental issues concerning Abdul’s attention span and his ability to focus at school. He points out that Abdul may have some speech delays, and they’re at Victoria Hospital’s Paediatric Outpatient Department (POPD) to attend the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic to do a few initial tests.

Sister Miriam, who welcomes patients and their caregivers at the POPD, tries to reassure concerned parents and guardians as they sit in the small waiting room. She also asks about feeding and nutrition and prepares packs of cereal and milk when necessary. Today she calmly assures the worried dad that the tests will give them a better understanding of what the issue may be. Ashraf is a confident and kind man; he wants the best for his son, and trusts the care available to his community at this facility.

As a spiritual leader in the local Muslim community, Ashraf knows the power of faith and trust. He points out that they would usually go to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, but today they were asked to attend at Victoria Hospital. The Trust’ relationship between the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Victoria’s Paediatric Outpatient Department is a great comfort to parents who want the very best for their children. Red Cross Children’s Hospital depends on the devotion and dedication of the medical staff at Victoria Hospital to be an extension of their endeavour to help and heal all the children who need healthcare. It is a healthcare mission that is rooted in community care. Ashraf understands the importance of working together and helping in as many ways as one can. He recognises the benefit of being able to bring his child to a specialist clinic that is much closer to their home. Situated in Wynberg, Cape Town, Victoria Hospital supports a community that goes as far as Ocean View and Houtbay and other communities in the Deep South.

“Our kids mean the world to us. When they’re sick, we’re probably sicker, because what parent wants to see their child go through difficulty!?”

Ashraf continues: “Thank God the government hospital is giving a nice service for us all.”

His gratitude is not just for his own children, but for the children within the communities that hospitals like Victoria and Red Cross Children’s Hospital serve. As a religious leader, community is always on Ashraf’s mind, and his vision for his son is to encourage and support this lovely little boy to be able to reach his full potential and be a kind and caring member of a community that builds a better future for all.

Ashraf chooses to spend his afternoons teaching little ones in his community, and at the afternoon school these children who are from less privileged areas are fed both bodily and spiritually. Donations of food come from within the community to Ashraf’s school, and when such gifts of love are given, they are seeds of love that grow in the hearts of our future, our next generation. What better gifts to give? What better seeds to sow?

Ashraf leaves us with a thought, a belief and a commitment that is echoed by the work of children’s healthcare facilities like the Victoria’s ’s POPD and Red Cross Children’s Hospital. It is the light that helps a nation heal. Little Abdul will grow up with this thought, belief and commitment for him to echo as an adult into the world. What a wonderful light he will be.

100% of your donations will go towards upgrading and expanding the currently cramped and under-ventilated Paediatric Outpatient Department at Victoria Hospital.

Give the gift of healing and help us heal little ones together!