Nonprofit brings hope, relief to Pakistani kids

ISLAMABAD — When devastating floods hit Pakistan last year, 10-year-old Muhammad Aftab's life was ruined, as it washed away everything his family possessed in Sindh Province, leaving behind distress, suffering and waterborne diseases.

"The floodwater remained in our area for months, so we were affected by skin diseases, and sometimes the itch and pain from the rashes on our bodies got so unbearable that we couldn't sleep at night," Aftab, who has scabies, told Xinhua News Agency.

However, a nonprofit in the capital Islamabad has since helped Aftab and his three cousins to overcome the hard times.

For Aftab, his cousins and dozens of other underprivileged children suffering from different diseases, the China-funded nonprofit is their ray of hope.

The Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home, or ICOSH, is being run by Beijing-based One Heart Sphere Charity Foundation, or BOHS, Islamabad-based China-Pakistan Youth Exchange Community, or CPYEC, and Pakistani nonprofit Step and Cure.

After last year's floods, Qiu Xu, founder of BOHS, visited Pakistan to help flood-hit people and decided to start a nonprofit by joining hands with Step and Cure and the CPYEC.

"When I visited Pakistan's hospitals, I saw underprivileged people forced to endure extreme weather conditions and sleeping on the footpaths of the hospitals to stay close to their ailing relatives," Qiu said.

"The first thought that came to my mind was to do something for them, and also for the needy children, especially in flood-hit areas, so I cooperated with others to launch ICOSH, where they can stay and feel at home."

Currently, 32 children suffering from scabies, autism, cancer and other diseases are staying in ICOSH, where two nurses, two doctors and four caretakers are looking after them.

Alisha Albert, a nurse at ICOSH, said ICOSH took children from across Pakistan in after confirming their health conditions with credible official sources.

"Some children, including Aftab and his cousins, are from flood-hit areas having serious skin diseases, and we gave them medication and counseled them to take care of their personal hygiene," Albert said.

"We also have some cancer patients and we are in contact with local hospitals to get them treated there, while their attendants can stay with us."

Supportive environment

Apart from providing for their basic needs and treatment, ICOSH also focuses on their emotional well-being and education. Volunteer teachers visit the students to create a supportive and understanding environment so that the children can heal and thrive.

Sobia Adnan, Pakistani director of ICOSH and managing director of Step and Cure, said cooperation with Chinese charities and volunteers is very significant for underprivileged Pakistani children.

"China's support holds immense significance for these children, and will have a profound impact on their lives," she said.

Muhammad Farhan, a 15-year-old orphan who is paralyzed from the waist down after an accident, had very severe bedsores when he was brought to ICOSH. He said he found solace and hope at ICOSH.

"It gave me a renewed sense of optimism that despite my disability, I can still strive for a fulfilling and meaningful life," he said. "The love and kindness from China has brought me ease in my life and filled my heart with warmth."

Xinhua