Ammon News - By Laila Azzeh

AMMAN –– "Its better to light a candle than curse the darkness" is the slogan of a brochure created by a 15-year-old girl to fight meningitis.

Aya Qutub decided last month to embark on a mission to raise money for victims of meningitis and help raise awareness about the "seriousness of the disease".

"I was required along with my classmates to work on a project we chose. I decided to collect money for sufferers of meningitis and acquaint people with the disease," the 10th grade student at the Amman Baccalaureate School told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

In addition to the awareness leaflet, which contains information compiled with the help of a specialised physician about the disease's symptoms, types, prevention and treatment, Qutub designed wooden boxes, sold them and donated the proceeds, amounting to JD1,190, to the Jordan Meningitis Foundation (JMF).

During a ceremony to honour her contribution to the JMF, Qutub, who has been engaged in volunteer work since she was 11 years old, said she took advantage of Eid Al Adha gatherings and visits to acquaint her relatives with the dangers of the disease.

The JMF was founded in the memory of Sarab Masri, a 17-year-old girl who died after contracting meningitis.

"Sarab was known for her brightness, liveliness and creativity. She was studying in England when she was diagnosed with disease," Sanaa Masri, Sarab's mother and president of the JMF, told The Jordan Times yesterday, adding that she developed symptoms similar to the "ordinary" flu and died in less than two hours.

Sarab's death in 1989 inspired Masri to establish a foundation to combat meningitis and inform the public of the seriousness of the disease.

"Her death opened up our eyes on the need to step up and do something to combat the prevalence of meningitis," she added, noting that the foundation was instrumental in brining the meningitis vaccine to Jordan.

"We floated a tender to bring the vaccine into the country in 1999," Masri explained, adding that 20,000 children in the Kingdom were vaccinated that year, and that the foundation later succeeded in ensuring that the meningitis vaccine was included in the national vaccination programme.

"Less was known about the disease, so it took time to convince authorities of the significance of the vaccine," she underlined.

In addition to conducting lectures, field studies and campaigns to spread awareness of meningitis, the JMF also provides physiotherapy to victims of the disease.

"The foundation is fully equipped with the necessary tools to rehabilitate meningitis survivors," Masri said.

Thirteen-year-old Aya Hajir has been receiving physical therapy at the foundation free of charge for five years now.

"Aya contracted meningitis at birth and her condition started to deteriorate due to misdiagnosis," the 13-year-old's mother told The Jordan Times, noting that she has improved tremendously both mentally and physically since starting treatment.

"Aya can walk now using a walker," she said, adding that the disease affected her daughter's limbs severely.

In addition to her efforts to eradicate meningitis, Masri, also an artist, teaches mothers of the victims to cook and make handicrafts in order to sell them to support the JMF with the proceeds.

"I hold art exhibitions to help collect money for the foundation," she said.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. It can be caused by several different bacteria and viruses.

According to the JMF, bacterial meningitis is quite rare, but can be very serious and needs urgent treatment with antibiotics, while the viral type causes less serious complications. (Jordan Times)

*** Photo Aya Qutub (left) recently receives a certificate from JMF’s president, Sanaa Masri, for her contribution to the foundation, which is involved in fighting meningitis (Photo courtesy of JMF)