Cairo butcher offers shelter for children with cancer
Zaza Ogaz, 50, plays with Yehia, 2, and Retaj, 2, who were diagnosed with cancer, at Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
CAIRO (Reuters) - Three years ago, Cairo butcher Zaza Ogaz decided to do something to help families bringing their children to a nearby cancer hospital.
He took an empty apartment in his building, fixed it up with beds and furniture and offered it free to families who would otherwise have to rent rooms in the neighborhood while their children were having chemotherapy and other treatments.
"I got the idea because I felt bad after I found people renting apartments or beds to patients for large amounts of money," Ogaz said.
Israa, 9, who was diagnosed with cancer, sits with her mother and waits to get treatment during her stay at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
"So I decided that I would do something for free and I won't accept donations. Why should people suffer from not only sickness but also high expenses?"
The 50-year-old provides meals, which he pays for from the proceeds of his butcher's shop.
Families can stay as long as they need. Ogaz refuses to accept donations, saying he is doing his charitable work in honor of his late mother and mother-in-law.
Abdelrahman (L), 14, Seif (C), 9, Retaj, 2, and Israa (R), 9, who were diagnosed with cancer, sit with their relatives at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
In the entrance hall, children's scooters are parked next to wheelchairs. In a bedroom decorated with cartoons of Winnie the Pooh and Minnie Mouse, children watch television. Some have traveled with their families from distant parts of Egypt.
"I came here and he welcomed me and I found a place to stay. I told him I am not moving until I am done," said Om Israa, a mother whose child is being treated at the hospital.
"He treats the children very well. He buys gifts and plays with them."
Abdelrahman, 14, who was diagnosed with cancer, and his mother stay at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, after arriving in Cairo from Al Arish in North Sinai, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
(Editing by Giles Elgood)
Abdelrahman, 14, Seif, 9, Retaj, 2, and Israa, 9, who were diagnosed with cancer, sit with their relatives at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyYehia, 2, and Retaj, 2, who were diagnosed with cancer, play at Zaza's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyYehia, 2, who was diagnosed with cancer, walks into Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyYehia, 2, Seif, 9, Retaj, 2, and Israa, 9, who were diagnosed with cancer, watch television at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyYehia, 2, who was diagnosed with cancer, kisses the mother at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyYehia, 2, who was diagnosed with cancer, is held by Om Israa at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyToy scooters are seen next to wheelchairs at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 11, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyAbdelrahman, 14, who was diagnosed with cancer and who arrived to Cairo from Al Arish in North Sinai to receive treatment, is seen at a free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyIsraa, 9, who was diagnosed with cancer, plays with a scooter at Zaza Ogaz's free housing for patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyZaza Ogaz, 50, plays with 2-year-old Retaj (L) and Yehia (R), both diagnosed with cancer, in the free housing he offers to patients receiving treatment at a nearby cancer hospital, in Cairo, Egypt February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyA general view of Zaza Ogaz's free accommodation home for children diagnosed with cancer in Cairo, Egypt February 11, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
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