by Thanh Nga
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Brightening hearts: Volunteers give cranes to patients at National hopital of Paediatricts- File Photos |
HA NOI — Legend has it that if someone makes 1,000 origami paper cranes his or her wish will come true.
That was why 1,000 paper cranes were given to young patients at the Viet Nam National Hospital of Paediatrics on the occasion of the Tet (Lunar New Year).
The programme "Crane of Spring 2010" was aimed at improving patient psychology over the holiday period.
"We hold this programme to bring a little happiness to patients who will have to celebrate Tet in hospital. When spring comes, young patients will feel sadder because they must stay in hospital. We hope that they quickly recover and can return home," said Nguyen Que, head of the volunteer group "Making Dreams Come True".
"Patients here are very weak so we ask patrons not to give gifts at the meeting hall but at the patients' sickbeds. We want to bring spring to each sickbed," Que said.
The hospital treats around 42,000 patients on average a year, many of whom suffer from cancer or heart disease.
When they were given the cranes and balloons, the young patients' faces lit up.
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Happy day: Miss viet Nam 2006, Mai Phuong Thuy (right)hands presents to patients at the National Hospital of paediatricts |
Do Thi Mai, 5, from the northern province of Nam Dinh, has heart disease. She looks more like a three-year-old. Mai has been at the hospital for two months. "When volunteers announced that there would a ‘Crane of Spring' programme, Mai couldn't wait," said her mother, Bui Thi Ly.
Ly said: "My daughter is very sick, she can't eat anything. She can drink only a little milk. She will have to receive treatment until she is 18. She insisted on my taking her to the hospital's big hall."
In addition to the paper cranes, patients received confectionary, banh chung (glutinous rice cake), lucky money and free meals.
Ly said: "I am deeply moved because of how much interest people have shown in our sick children. It will help to ease their pain."
The programme, which is part of the Nha Hat Benh Vien (Hospital Theatre) project co-ordinated by the Youth Theatre, voluntary group "Making Dreams Come True" and the children's hospital, also put on a music programme, while Thang Long Puppetry Theatre group put on performances of Swan Dance, Tay Nguyen Dance and Visiting the Zoo.
"Mum, Tet has really come," said Mai happily.
Miss Viet Nam 2006, Mai Phuong Thuy, also handed presents to patients.
"There are many patients at the hospital. They look very pitiful. I hope I can bring a little joy to them," Thuy saidù. —VNS