Project Kengikat

Shriner’s Hospital for Children

// October 22nd, 2009 // Uncategorized

This weekend I will make my 4th trip to Shriner’s Hospital for Children here in Los Angeles and I am so looking forward to it because each time I go for this very cool Do Something Saturday outreach I am able to do it with my friends and we are able to help some pretty awesome families who are dealing with some pretty awful things.

As a kid I remember being sick and in and out of hospitals with my Sickle Cell and each time my parents were right there with me. When I opened my eyes one or both of them were right there and that made me feel so safe. I can not imagine what it would be like to have to travel to another country where everything would be new. New hospital, new doctors all in a place that is all new to me.

When I first set out to start this outreach I wanted to do it at USC’s Children’s Hospital they agreed but a few days before the event I was told that we would only be able to drop the items off at the security desk. We would not be allowed to visit with the families or the children. Thanks to my friend Moina I called Shriner’s and with the help of Jennifer the date was set for Saturday in the same time slot.

Shriner’s is such an awesome hospital with the best of the best, the hospital is totally set up for children and their families. The aisle is wide and rooms are huge. There is a library, game and movie area they kids can also check out games and movies for their rooms. Each time we go the staff is always so kind and pleasant and we always get the same awesome group leader that we have all come to like so much.

Just like all the times before this Do Something Saturday will be done with two friends, Niambi and Sandra. We will be taking at least 20 stuffed animals to give the kids a little bit of cheering up and to make them feel welcome and at home in a strange new environment. I am sure the kids will be happy with the gifts and just like before I am sure we will see plenty of smiles from both the kids and the parents as well as the staff.

Do Something Saturday~that empowers people, is the oldest and most visible outreach of my organization that I created while I was homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Do Something Saturday started off as an outreach to homeless people and now reaches out to children, low income families, senior and still does outstanding outreaches to the homeless population of Los Angeles all through the kindness of the people of people who truly believe in my organization and what I am trying to do.

It is with great honor that I am able to return with my organization and two awesome friends to Shiner’s Hospital for Children to reach out to those who are suffering and in need.