In 2014, private firm employee Fatimatul Botul was talking to a friend who works at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). The doctor was sharing his experience of treating cancer afflicted children; describing how much pain they go through every day.

This prompted Fatema to visit BSMMU one day to see for herself if she could do something about it. What she saw tore her heart apart.

“I was heartbroken by the silent faces of parents and the cries of their ailing children,” Fatema says.

She along with four of her friends Sumaiya Ali, Kaniz Nusaiba, Khadiza Rahman Liza and Nipu founded an organisation named “For a Bit of Smile” that year with the intention to help alleviate the sufferings of such children by providing financial support and humanitarian assistance.

“We felt those children needed love and affection, alongside treatment,” Nusaiba says.

So, the team of five started visiting the hospital on weekly basis to spend time with children suffering from cancer.

“We bring along toys and play with the innocent patients. We also tell the parents to hold on to hopes.”

Aged between 1 and 11, most cancer patients in the paediatrics haematology and oncology ward of the hospital come from poor families who are unaware of the fact that cancer in children is often curable if they are given proper treatment and hope.

Another volunteer of this group, Sumaiya Ali explains why she has extended her support to such children. “It is not easy to look at a child who has just gone through chemotherapy or a spinal injection. It is heart wrenching. Their pain became our strength.”

From their firsthand experience they have learnt that not all families need financial support, but each one of them does need emotional support.

Members of the For a Bit of Smile along with child cancer patients. The group provides patients with mental, emotional, and financial support. Photo: Collected

They need people to share their pain, sit beside their sick children and hold them with love and warmth so that they get encouragement and strength to carry on fighting.

The young women, who share similar empathy for these children and their parents, met at the Active Citizens Programme of British Council.

“We knew that we wanted to do something for the welfare of children. It took us months to prepare the whole plan. We are still learning every day,” Sumaiya says.

The unusual effort of this group did not go unnoticed by Prof Md Afiqul Islam, former chairman of the paediatrics haemotology and oncology department of BSMMU. He came forward with his generous support. He trained the young team to communicate and interact with the children and to embrace the pain of their parents.

While specialised doctors are providing medical care, this team plays an important role by helping parents cope with the stress of care-giving while motivating the children to not give up.

“This emotional support is as important as medical treatment. Besides, cancer affected children can be cured. You will find families who don't know how to handle this scary disease; they don't know how to comfort their sick children. On the other hand, these kids need someone to sit beside them, to chat with them, to engage them in games and conversation.

“I think this young group is doing a great job,” says Prof Islam.

In the last two years, For a Bit of Smile has provided counseling, emotional assistance and financial aid for medicines to 300 children suffering from cancer. Besides, they have raised Tk 1.5 lakh for the treatment of two children. The number of volunteers has increased from 5 to 40 who joined the journey to help cancer afflicted children in BSMMU.

Dilip Das, father of four-year-old Diponto, says his daughter could survive mainly because of the financial support from the organisation.

“I am a wage earner. It is difficult for me to run my family with the meager amount I earn. It wouldn't be possible for me to pay for such expensive treatment.”

For a Bit of Smile is helping him through counseling him and giving financial support, Dilip said, adding that, “I am eternally grateful to them.”

The team has also built a small play area in the corner of the ward, where volunteers engage children in games and activities. Their goal is to bring smiles to the faces of children suffering, and they hope to get more volunteers through spreading words of their noble endeavour.

To become a volunteer and donate, please contact 01515622264.