Bringing a smile to the sick

National, Normal
Source:

By ELIZABETH MIAE

THEY came in a group of about 20 all dressed in their uniform carrying boxes of toiletries, fruits and balloons and headed for the children’s ward at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH).
Excited at doing their first ever community service, they brought smiles to the faces of the sick children and comfort to the parents and guardians at their children’s sides.
They were students from the Kila Kila Secondary School’s youth against corruption association (YACA) who visited the ward 2A yesterday.
They prayed, sang hymns and shared the Gospel with the patients and their families during the visiting hour.
And they did all that on their own without any supervision from their teachers.
“After going around to schools and talking about stopping corruption, we have decided to help by giving something back to the community,” YACA leader Jack Haro said.
“We want to show to the nation that we, Kila Kila Secondary, the future leaders of tomorrow, are taking the lead in this.
“Some people here are sick and sad, but by doing this, we are putting a smile on their face.”
Haro said it was only the beginning of what they did and hoped to do the same in the future.
The items were purchased from funds donated by the student body including individual contributions from the YACA members.
Before they began their short but moving programme, the students announced that they did not have much to give, but they wanted to “bless the patients in Jesus’ name with the gifts”.
These bold youngsters walked around the ward with Bibles in their hands quoting scriptures, praying
and encouraging the patients’ families to trust in the Lord for healing – this brought tears to some whose children were very sick.