VOLUNTEER SISTERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 10

VOLUNTEER SISTERS.

WORK IN CAIRO. £w HELPING THE Y.M.O.A. APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE FOR ASSOCIATION. • The following letter has been received by the Mayor of Rangiora from Miss Clara Rogers, one of Ihe Volunteer Sisters, whose home is in R-angiora. It is from Cairo, and dated December 31 :

" You will have heard from G that I am in Cairo, rather contrary to expectations, as we were booked for Alexandria, but on arrival ;it Port Said Colonel Saunders advised the change of plans owing to the military base being moved from Alexandria here. We had a. lovely trip and arrived in Egypt very kcQH for work. After a week's boarding we decided to take a flat, which is much more economical, and hero the twelve Volunteer Sisters ' bach.' Two of our number, who are, trained nurses, have found work in Karr-el-Ainis Hospital, but so far Uio other ten have not been required foTMiursing, although we know from patients who have been in hospital that our services would be a blcpsing. In many cases natives do for our boys what we should do.

"I am writing specially to emphasise one branch of service that receives very little Government recognition, but by those who know its power for good ii) this evil city its name, will be immortal. 1 speak of the Y.M.C.A., and particularly the branch that we have come so closely in contact with lately. In the heart of Cairo there are beautiful gardens, called Esbekia, in ono corner of which a British cafe exists, and in another Mr Hay. New Zealand secretary, and Mr Vincent Smith, assistant, manage the New Zealand branch of the Y.M.C.A. Their efforts to provide, comforts and amusements for the boys are untiring, and already a great work has been done. Reading and writing material is provided free, and letters franked and posted. Inquiry can be made for missing friends, and almost any information regarding them obtained. A skating rink, picture theatre and games are all included, and now the latest scheme is the extension of thfl canteen which up to the present lias been a very primitive affair, and run by native labour.

" The- secretary approached; the sisterhood asking us to combine with some English ladies and assist to workout their idea of the cafe. Wo agreed to help, and on Wednesday, December 22, commenced operations, the building ha.ving been wonderfully improved and enlarged in the meantime. Now we are in f till swing, the enterprise already during the Christmas season having proved a great boon to the hoys. Christmas and Boxing Day we will never forget, for from morning till 9 p.m. we served at highest speed cups of tea, cocoa, coffee and soft drinks, or cut sandwiches and cake tiH our hands were blistered. Roughly estimated we added •to the comfort of between two and three thousand men, and I consider myself highly privileged to have had this opportunity of doing something for the brave fellows who have .sacrificed so much for their King and country. It was most pathetic to listen to one after another telling of their frightful experiences on the peninsula. They were so grateful for the touch of home again, I can tell you we will feel we are doing even more for them here than if wo were in the hospital. Why, hundreds of them had uot spoken' to a white woman since leaving home, so you can imagine what a treat it was for them to converse with and be waited on by their own countrywomen again, for mostly it is New Zealanders and Australians who visit us, although occasionally there is a good sprinkling of English Tommies. "' We are now entering upon New Year, and are making great preparations for another huge rush. The canteen and recreation club are open from 9 a.m. till 9.30 p.m., so any time during the day the men can come in for a rest and obtain refreshment or indulge in skating, etc., as tho main object is to provide a place to keep the men off the streets. Until one has seen Cairo it is impossible to conceive an idea of what vices exist or what temptations the boys are exposed to. Apart from tho Y.M.C:A. and British Soldiers' Club, and a few private enterprises, there is no place for the boys to spend their leave, so my object in writing to you personally on the subject is to get a few facts laid before the public, and possibly add financially to the Y.M.C.A.'s purse, which is constantly being drained. If mothers only realise what a friend this institution is to their boys I am certain they will do all in their power to extend -the work, which of course cannot be done without money. Our services are given free and we do not work the cafe for profit, so 1 can assure, you any help that can be given by you good people at home will be greatly appreciated and used to the best advantage by Mr Hay and Mr Smith (both young New Zealanders), who are. working so enthusiastically to provide home comforts for our boys. _ ,: Life here is very different from that in peaceful little Rangiora. All our sisters are in splendid health owing to the beautiful climate here. It is winter, but as warm as a New Zealand summer, so we can enjoy it at present."