Twelve-year-old Ravi Dave Sain was all smiles as he headed to the Air Services Limited aircraft two Saturdays ago at the Ogle Airstrip, excited that his wish to travel in a plane was finally becoming a reality.
He was on his way to the majestic Kaieteur Falls. Throughout the journey he kept looking out of the window and like any normal boy his age, he was amazed at the beautiful scenery. But Ravi is far from normal.
He was diagnosed with cancer in the nose and brain almost two years ago and required radiotherapy and eventually surgery – but that may not be possible any longer. His face on the left side is swollen. He suffers severe headaches at times and also bleeds through his nose.
The Aditya Kids Trust Fund Foundation (AKTFF) that helps needy children with severe medical complaints is helping the child to receive radiotherapy. They had taken him to the Cancer Institute of Guyana (CIG) where his condition was assessed.
It was expected that the therapy would help to reduce the size of the growth and based on Ravi’s condition doctors would have decided whether surgery would have been possible here or in Trinidad.
The AKTFF was also preparing to pay for his surgery when they got the devastating news that
his condition had worsened. President, Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan of Canada, told Stabroek News that he was told by the doctor that surgery could no longer be done.
He and other members of the foundation then thought about what they could do to take the stress away from him and his mother, Bhagmattie Sain – at least for the day and Kaieteur Falls came to mind.
They also learnt that Ravi was fond of airplanes and longed to be in one and felt that the trip would be the perfect treat.
Along the way Ravi told this reporter, who was invited to accompany him on the trip, that he did not know what the Kaieteur Falls looked like. He was then shown a picture of the falls from a magazine that was onboard the flight and he started to smile broadly. He was sure he was in for a great treat, thanks to the AKTFF which had learnt of his plight through his mother.
Mohan said the trip is similar to what is being done through the “Make-A-Wish Foundation” based in Canada, to help children around the world who are suffering from terminal illnesses to have their wishes fulfilled.
Azaad Hussein, a director of the AKTFF told this newspaper that they were happy to send Ravi on the trip.
He said that it is their “intention to at least try to help alleviate some of the pain, anguish and feeling of absolute despondency experienced by Ravi. This trip is the least that this foundation can do at this time.”
Kaieteur Falls
During the tour, Ravi listened with keen interest to the tour guide, Martain Carter, as he led everyone through the trails, especially about the carnivorous plants. He was also enthused when he saw the golden frog.
He was taken aback by the natural landscape and the peaceful atmosphere. When he finally got to view the falls he was even more astonished as he watched the water tumbling down 741 ft.
He posed for pictures in excitement, just like the other visitors but the best part for Ravi was when he realized he would be able to take a dip in the water near the top of the falls.
He hadn’t planned going into the water but when he saw another child, Awad changing into his shorts and splashing around he was not embarrassed to strip down to his underpants to join him. He had so much fun even his mother felt relaxed looking on.
Bhagmattie told this newspaper that Ravi never had such a treat before and that the trip had made him feel “extra special.” She was very grateful to the AKTFF for taking his interest to heart and for the effort they are making to ensure that all his needs are met.
The woman said she cannot afford to take Ravi to any fun places and recalled that earlier this year the AKTFF took him along with a group of other West Berbice children to the Jubilee Resort on the highway.
She said he had a good time at Jubilee then and when he heard he would be going on a plane ride to the falls he kept asking her every day when the trip would be on. She described Ravi, the last of three brothers as a quiet child although he would sometimes get into pranks at home.
He attended the Bath Primary School and was about to write the Grade Six Assessment examination when the unusual swelling and periodic headaches started and was forced to quit school.
The AKTFF was set up in memory of seven-year-old Aditya Ramdhin of Bath who was diagnosed with a heart condition. Aditya’s parents had approached Mohan who was holidaying in Guyana at the time for assistance.
Through the help of Mohan, the MOH and other persons, the child was sent to India for heart surgery but sadly the surgery was not successful. After the child’s death, Mohan was moved to form the AKTFF and members made a commitment to help children with similar complaints.
They also provided some money to assist another child, Farziena Haniff of Canje, to travel to India for heart surgery. She made it back alive and well.
