Beacon of hope: Rovers spend time, play with young cancer patients

Scouting is more than fun and exciting activities. Rovers of Bangladesh Scouts are helping in a pediatric and oncology unit is a perfect example of this.

A total of 40 Rovers spend 2-3 hours a day, 3 days a week, working on a rotation basis -- playing, conducting arts activity and reading story books for children who are diagnosed with cancer, whenever their physical condition allow it. These activities help them (kids) reduce their trauma and anxiety from the disease and treatment. It also decreases the feeling of isolation.

The initiative started on 3 June 2017, in partnership with the Pediatric Oncology Department of Bangobondhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. The project aims to provide emotional support to the patients as well as the parents to help them face the challenge with courage.

MoP Bangladesh Team plans to expand its voluntary service with new and more useful activities, such as collecting blood for patients; providing financial support for medicine especially for poor patients; provide meals on a weekly or monthly basis and launch an awareness campaign about cancer.

-- S. M. Shahriar, National Commissioner PR & Marketing, Bangladesh Scouts