Down With Chicken Pox

All 26 children were down with chicken pox in batches for about a month beginning June 20, 2008.

The first to contract the chicken pox was Muhammad Ariff Fauzi,9, followed by the others in his age group then it spread to the 8 year olds, the 7 year olds, the 6 year olds and the 5 and 4 year olds.

Each boy recuperated within the span of two weeks upon contracting the illness.

In treating the chicken pox, besides medicine from the medical clinic, the boys were also treated with neem leaves, being a traditional remedy in Malaysia for chicken pox.

Usually, the leaves are pounded and mixed with bedak sejuk ( literally translated as cold talcum) – made from grounded fermented rice grains. It is then dried out in the sun, first shaped into droplets. It is then mixed with water before it is applied on to the body affected with the chicken pox. It gives a very cooling effect

The neem leaves can also be used to scratch the body as it gives a soothing effect and at night, can be slept on as it helps rid the itchiness. The neem tree can be found abundantly around Shah Alam.

Our housemother, Norzuraiini who is in her middle 20’s also contracted the chicken pox with the first batch of children while our principal, Khalid Shah, 46, contracted the chicken pox with the last batch of children.

We thank Klinik Soraya for giving the boys free medical services.