Patricia’s Story - Ammar Transforma’s Medical Volunteer

Studies indicate that children who are socially vulnerable are more likely to be affected by respiratory illnesses like asthma and rhinitis. Ammar Transforma identifies these diseases in children and young people today and is able to benefit from the voluntary services of Patricia Santos, an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Patricia tells us how she got involved with the project. She says “During the pandemic I began to feel wrestless. I thought about the need and the difficulty of getting medicine. I wanted to work in a space where I could  put my Christian faith into action. Around that time I came into contact with Ammar Transforma.

How I got involved

Dr Patricia says “When I started working with Ammar Transforma our focus was the issue of allergic rhinitis. This treatment is about controlling the environment at home. You are going to give instructions like ‘wipe this over with a dampl cloth’, ‘don’t let the dust in’, ‘don’t put the fan on’. 

Challenges

But many of those we attend at Ammar Transforma live in just one room. Often their homes are crowded together, have corregated iron rooves and the hot sun easily infiltrates. There is alot of heat and dust so this kind of response is not going to work for them”.

Taking into account the situation the Ammar Transforma team started to widen the focus of its work in the area of health and hygiene. The project began to offer free medicine for basic health problems and supported referrals to local clinics that could offer small surgeries like treating adenoid issues. Over the last few years they have seen some positive results.  Patricia said “Children who were only breathing through their mouth and couldn’t sleep are now getting much better sleep. According to their families this has improved their general capacity to function better.” Aswell as working in this area the project also offers pyschological support, advice on healthy nutrition and physiotherapy to those who need it”.

This particular area of Ammar Transforma’s work aims to improve the quality of life for the children and young people they attend regularly. They are likely to be more susceptible to illnesses because of their context.  

Patricia is responsible for co ordinating the volunteers. She emphasizes that “You need to help joyfully. We are not just here for the sake of doing the work but to reflect our faith and what we believe. Through showing love to children and young people in this community we can acheive this aim”. In Matthew 25:35-36 it instructs how we should treat our neighbour “What the least you do for one of my brothers you do for me”. 

Patricia looked at those around her in Project Ammar Transforma and through her work offers chidlren, young people and their families a better quality of life. In this community a little goes a long way.

• Written by Eduarda Teixeira