Taking Grandma Phan Kin Lan to Sahabat Baru Nursing Home

Journalist : Khusnul Khotimah, Photographer : Khusnul Khotimah

With great love, the Tzu Chi volunteers from North He Qi 2 community bathed Grandma Phan Kin Lan.

The condition of Grandma Phan Kin Lan (76), a resident of Kapuk Muara, North Jakarta was miserable. Her legs were covered with blisters. A year and a half ago, she was hit by a motorbike causing serious leg injury. The doctor had suggested a medical treatment, but she refused. That being the case, wound infection occurred.

Grandma Phan Kin Lan’s condition had worsened; for the past six months she was not able to walk but to sit in a chair. She has two brothers but both of them are getting old and unable to help. Consequently, Grandma Phan Kin Lan was entirely neglected.

Until one day, a neighbor who happened to be a Tzu Chi volunteer found out about her condition and immediately acted to give a helping hand. On December 5, 2021, the Tzu Chi volunteer team from the North He Qi 2 community paid a love visit to Grandma Phan Kin Lan while running a further search. Looking at her deteriorating condition, the volunteer team wouldn't have hesitated for a second to approve the help request for Grandma Phan Kin Lan. She was immediately given medical assistance and living expenses.

"We conducted the survey on Sunday and on Monday the volunteers immediately took her to the hospital. Her leg was festering and really swollen,” said Ayen Rita, a Tzu Chi volunteer.

The volunteer team took Grandma Phan Kin Lan to the Tzu Chi Love Hospital (RSCK) in Cengkareng. The RSCK medical team gave Grandma Phan her first bath after six months as the start of her leg injury treatment.

Tough Duty, Yet the Volunteers Moved On.

After freshening up, one volunteer fed breakfast for Grandma Phan with warm porridge.

With Grandma Phan Kin Lan's condition being practically paralyzed, living with two brothers who are both elderly is certainly not a solution. The volunteer team then discussed and proposed to move Grandma Phan to the Sahabat Baru Nursing Home. Her two brothers approved the proposal.

Staying in the nursing home was only temporary. When her condition improved, she could return home. Yet before taking her to the nursing home, Grandma Phan Kin Lan would need a bath first. She hadn’t had one for almost two weeks. It was a tough duty considering Grandma Phan’s physical condition.

However, the Tzu Chi volunteers from North He Qi 2 community are indeed exemplary figures. They carried out the duty with great love. On Friday early morning, December 24, 2021, the volunteer team visited Grandma Phan Kin Lan (76) bringing necessary equipment such as some towels, soap, shampoo, brush, nail clippers, dipper and others.

The nurses at Panti Sahabat Nursing Home very kindly served Oma Phan Kin Lan.

Lisfina was the volunteer coordinator at that time. No special briefing was given; most of the volunteers knew what to do by virtue of circumstances, willingness, and caring love. Some volunteers showed expertise as they had experience in bathing their own sick mothers.

First, the volunteer team consisting of seven female volunteers adjusted Grandma Phan’s sitting position for a comfortable bathing process. Next, the volunteers divided the tasks. Some would do the nails, scrub her body, wash her hair, and clean her wounded legs which were healing. Grandma Phan Kin Lan was gently treated from top to toe.

The volunteers were so nimble despite Grandma Phan’s complaints. Many times the complaints were to get attention from the volunteers who responded with care. Bathing process done, the volunteers helped her get dressed, fed Grandma Phan breakfast, and helped her take some medicine.

Moving Grandma Phan Kin Lan to the Nursing Home.

The Tzu Chi volunteers and Grandma Phan's younger brother felt more relieved because Grandma Phan Kin Lan was in the right place to get the treatment she needed.

The volunteers were then assisted by some neighbors to carry Grandma Phan Kin Lan to the car which would take her to Sahabat Baru Nursing Home. Sahabat Baru Nursing Home knows Tzu Chi well because before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tzu Chi volunteer teams often paid a visit to share their love and care with the elderly.

Upon arrival at the Sahabat Baru Nursing Home, three nurses welcomed the volunteer team and carried Grandma Phan Kin Lan inside. They also checked her health conditions.

"You'll see me later, won't you?" Grandma Phan Kin Lan asked the Tzu Chi volunteers who surrounded her in bed.

"If we have time, we will definitely see you. Let’s pray," answered Ayen.

Lisfina and other volunteers were finally relieved that Grandma Phan Kin Lan was in the right place to get the treatment she needed.

“It is our sincere wish that Grandma Phan recovers soon. Besides, it is only temporary. If everything turns out all right, she can go back home. We hope and pray that she is able to walk again. It seems that the moist wound is drying and healing now," concluded Lisfina.

Translator: Vissia Budi Apriliana, Sweete (Tzu Chi School)

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