Save the lives of children with cancer in Zimbabwe

Why do I volunteer with Kidzcan?

Kidzcan volunteers play with the children in the hospital playroom every weekday morning. Play is what a child does best, and we find this a valuable tool for distracting them from their illness, loneliness, and pain.  Kidzcan’s group of dedicated volunteers who visit the children to play with them, read to them or lead them in activities are the back-bone of the work that Kidzcan does.

Sally is Kidzcan’s volunteer coordinator. She not only spends time each week playing with children in the ward playroom, but also attends to the needs of our volunteers - liaising with and registering new volunteers, keeping the group in communication, and leading our monthly volunteer meetings. 

Here is her feedback when asked why she volunteers - 

I had spare time on my hands and knew that I would like to be involved with Kidzcan, so offered my services. This has opened up a new world to me. Initially I was concerned that being with such sick children would be difficult. At the same time, I also knew that if in any way I could make their lives just that little bit better then I had to give it a go.

Going into the playroom and being with the children for a couple of hours a week is an incredibly humbling and uplifting experience.  I know it is important that these children get some 'time out' from what is happening to them and are able to participate in activities (whether it be painting, playing card games, playing 'quiet' physical games, singing, etc.) to take their minds off their illnesses. When I see their joy when we play with them, it makes my efforts to facilitate this all worthwhile.

I have always felt that it is important to give something to others, especially to those less fortunate than I am. But I realized it would be a commitment, and unless I was prepared to fully commit myself then I felt I should not offer my services, whatever they may be.   I am also a person who generally feels more comfortable when given specific tasks to do rather than seeing what is needed to be done so in the past have been cautious about offering my services.   

Volunteering at Kidzcan has put me in touch with amazing folk who give so selflessly of their lives/time and for this I am also very grateful.