Paper bags filled with hope

Cancer patients come together at workshop to learn a craft, forge bonds.

The hands find their way around the paper, stop for a second, sense and then start to fold up the edges. Moments later, the newspaper has turned into a plane.

Ten-year-old Shahbaz is suffering from cancer of the eyes – he is losing his sight but using his hands instead.

At a workshop on Tuesday organized by the Dream Foundation for people with cancer , he is learning to make paper bags. The bags will then be sold to shops and become a source of income. But that is not the only purpose of the workshop.

- It takes my thoughts away from the fact that I have cancer and am dying, says Muksat Ali (55), who has a pipe going from his ear to his mouth. The cancer cells have settled in his throat.

- I also learn a skill and therefore feel special.

The Dream Foundation is dedicated to helping poor people with cancer.

“The workshops are a way to teach people with cancer a craft, not only to help them earn some money but also to keep them occupied,” says K M Aarif, president of the organization.

Talking about the disease and consultations are keywords at the Dream Foundation. Women with breast cancer are one of the groups that stand alone with their disease.

“The reason” according to Aarif, “is because of ignorance, the husband might find her incomplete and might leave her.”

Safura Shaikh (40) had a pain in her chest for a long time, but did not talk to anyone about it.

“I did not want to overburden my family. We have no money for medical treatment,” she says.

Shaikhs husband is diabetic and needs medicine as well.

“We can share their grief, make them relax and tell their husbands about the disease,” says Aarif.

As Shahbaz gets ready to leave, he gets a T-shirt from the Dream Foundation. On the back is a woman reaching out for a child and the text reads, “You are not alone with your life’s dilemma”.

The Indian Express

Juli 2004