Children's Oncology Hospital promotes fabric doll workshop for patients' mothers
The initiative combined creativity, sustainability, and support, strengthening the bond between mothers and providing a moment of emotional care in the hospital environment
Mothers accompanying their children undergoing cancer treatment at the Octávio Lobo Children's Oncology Hospital (Hoiol) participated this Thursday (28) in a fabric doll-making workshop. The initiative is part of the "Crafty Hands" project and was conducted by volunteers from the Hospital Chaplaincy of the Angelim Church, at the GAIA workshop (Generating Love, Ideas, and Art) of the health institution.
The idea is to teach a sustainable craft using recycled textile materials through a creative and therapeutic activity that not only promotes support and listening for these women but also provides an opportunity for extra income. Among threads, fabrics, and ribbons, not only dolls emerged but also bonds of solidarity and lightness amidst the routine of hospitalization. The students also develop skills in cutting, sewing, stuffing, and assembly.
Katiane Alves, a member of the humanization team, emphasizes that the workshops alleviate the stress resulting from the hospitalization process and promote environmental awareness. "The activities offer a break, a moment of relaxation for these women to talk, vent, and even exchange knowledge related or unrelated to the hospitalization issue. Manual work brings people closer, providing a sense of comfort and trust. In fact, this bond can even extend beyond the hospital, allowing these mothers to maintain contact with both the team and each other," she stated.
"The routine of a mother with a hospitalized child is very exhausting. Therefore, the activities help in the emotional balance of everyone involved. The hospital ceases to be a space where only medical procedures occur and also becomes a welcoming space for this mother, this father. This reinforces the idea that caring goes beyond physical care. Caring also involves feelings, companionship, socialization, and the promotion of dignity," Katiane emphasized.
One of the participants was housewife Elenice Fagundes, 34, a resident of the Telégrafo neighborhood. Her son Enzo Fagundes, 8, is facing a cancer relapse. "It's good to have something to do during this delicate moment. My mind is racing, thinking about many things. This invitation was a distraction, a way to forget a bit about the storm. When we start making the hair, the eyes, and see it taking shape, it's so nice, it looks so beautiful," she said.
The activity also moved Maria Furtado, 46, mother of a patient undergoing oncological treatment. Coming from the municipality of Viseu, she has participated in other editions of the project and says that each workshop becomes an emotional memory. "It was really good because my daughter liked it. I had never done it myself, but here we learn together. It's a way to occupy the mind, to forget a bit about the difficult hospital routine. Each doll became a special memory," she reported.
Text: Leila Cruz- Ascom/Hoiol
