I had the wonderful chance to join the Kaçuv family. We had the opportunity of meeting Züleyha Hanım who was in charge of the administration of the house during the visit we paid to the family home with Sandrine. She succeeded in making me a part of the Kaçuv family through her warmness, hospitality and affection towards children.
We paid a little visit to Cerrahpaşa hospital with Aslı Hanım after this. We met a few children who were receiving treatment when we visited the play room at the child hematology oncology ward of the hospital. This ward which was renewed by the support of Kaçuv ensures that children receive treatment in a more hygienic environment where social activities are also organized.
The following day, I participated in the volunteer training held at Kadir Has University with Aslı Hanım and thus my Kaçuv adventure began. While gaining information on cancer types and child psychology during the training we also put together events that we could hold with the children in future and had a lot of fun as if going back to our childhood as a team. I would like to extend my gratitude to the volunteer trainers who made this joyful journey possible.
I later went to the family home to hold events with children for a couple of hours a week. As my time in Istanbul was limited, I could only spend 2 months at the family home. Even if for a short while, the process of meeting and bonding with the children was really fast. It was a really satisfying feeling to make the children forget their illness for a couple of hours. Although it’s impossible for me to fully acknowledge what they are going through, the feeling of mentally freeing them from the illness through a bit of motivation and morale was an incredible feeling. I’m sure everyone knows how laughter extends one’s life… But is it possible to appreciate the value of making others laugh? I couldn’t find the right words for it… I experienced it.
I am still a member of this family even though my Kaçuv adventure has ended for now.
I hope to be a supporter one day again…
Hatice