US Volunteer Experience Lays Foundation for Helping Cancer Patients in Pakistan

Ayesha is using the community service skills she honed in the US to help some of the neediest in Pakistan: children with cancer.

For the past year, Ayesha worked at the Shaukat Khanam Cancer Hospital and Research Center in Lahore, bringing entertainment into the lives of chronically ill children while learning more about medical research. As a biotechnology major, she blends her passion for helping children with her intellectual curiosity and career goals.

Ayesha helped one 8-year-old cancer patient to pursue her love of painting. After spending several afternoons together painting, Ayesha arranged to exhibit the art in the hospital. “That evening, the girl gave me a big hug and said, ‘You are my fairy – please be there for me always,’” said Ayesha.

Ayesha’s passion for working with cancer patients in Pakistan grew from her student volunteer experience at Lincoln University of Missouri during the fall of 2010. As a participant of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan, she spent more than 30 hours working with children and the elderly and at Habitat for Humanity in the US.

Ayesha said her experience in the US gave her the confidence to contribute to her community. “After volunteering in different activities, I came to know that I have the potential to contribute on a large scale in my society,” Ayesha said. “The community service portion of the fellowship polished the skills I never knew I had in me.”

Ayesha’s tasks at the hospital ranged from visiting children, reading to them, and playing games, to helping the hospital administration organize events and activities for children. Earlier this year, she organized a cricket match for children who could play and helped the other children paint bats and t-shirts for the event.

Beyond working directly with cancer patients, Ayesha initiated a series of community health education trainings. She invited doctors and specialists to talk to the community about various cancer symptoms and prevention measures. She also conducted seminars herself about the dangers of smoking. Ayesha organized fundraising events for the hospital as well.

She hopes to feed a growing culture of volunteerism in Pakistan and encourage others around her to participate in community service. She is currently combining her desire to help others with her academic interests as an intern at a biomedical laboratory company in Pakistan.

The Global UGRAD in Pakistan Program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and implemented by IREX.