LAHORE, Nov 6: Hundreds of people turned up in hospitals with gifts — toys, eatables and money — on Eid and it was certainly much more than what we had hoped for, quake-hit children in different city hospitals said on Sunday.
Recording their impressions while speaking to Dawn, they said the gestures of Lahorites made their day.
Teenager Muhammad Mushtaq of Urian Sarkand village (Muzaffargarh district) said it was the most beautiful gesture of the Lahorites after the officially-sponsored treatment at government hospitals.
“People literally thronged hospital wards in the last three days,” he said. They brought all kinds of stuff — toys, eatables and cash — for us. “Though I am not a child, people still gifted me toys and cash. It was heartening for us that we forgot our grief — for two days at least,” he said in an emotional voice.
Children wards in the city hospitals wore a festive look even two days after Eid — end-to-end festooned with balloons and buntings and with toys spread all around.
Five-year-old Saira said: “I received many dolls, candies and cash. I have lost many of my school friends during the quake and am missing them. A lot of children came on the Eid day, and we all enjoyed the day. It was like our own village.”
Perveen Bibi, the mother of 11-year-old Muhammad Mazhar, said it was much more than what we had expected for. “People turned in hundreds to our wards with loads of toys, juices, clothes and cash. For a moment, we forgot our loved ones who lost their lives in the tremors. I could not attend my mother’s funeral because I had to rush my son to Lahore for treatment.
“All our hopes and prayers are now concentrated on our children. It was so nice of people from Lahore to share happiness with our children and make their day.”
Muhammad Mazhar said he received candies, juices, clothes and cash during the last three days. He said people were still coming to greet and wish them, though the unexpected rush was over.
“Only 30 minutes ago, a family came with a lot of candies and balloons,” he said, adding “we spent our Eid as we used to do so back in our village.” We would never forget these nice little gestures of the people, said Mazhar.
The only problem here, he said, was that his bandage had not been replaced for the last three days because doctors were on Eid holidays. “My leg wound has festered a bit during these days. But with the arrival of doctors, we hope to get our treatment back on track.”
Fazal Kadeem Khan, who hails from Shangla in the NWFP, told Dawn his seven-month-old grandson he was attending was suffering from pneumonia which was caused by an exposure to bad weather in the village. He said people had gifted the child generously.