At YASKA, our mission is to ensure that every child diagnosed with cancer in Brunei Darussalam receives the support, comfort, and opportunities they need - not only during treatment, but throughout their entire journey. Through the years, we have grown from a small support initiative in the Paediatric Oncology Ward to a full-scale NGO that empowers children, uplifts families, strengthens communities, and raises awareness nationwide. Below are the programmes that form the heart of YASKA. Each one is built on compassion, connection, and the belief that children deserve to feel normal, hopeful, and celebrated - even in the midst of treatment.
Children undergoing chemotherapy and long hospital stays often miss school, friends, and routines.
To keep their minds active and spirits uplifted, YASKA organizes on-ward educational classes, helping children continue learning through fun activities like reading sessions, storytelling, simple lessons, and creative crafts. These classes help maintain confidence, motivation, and a sense of normalcy.
A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family. YASKA provides emotional support, counselling conversations, family check-ins, and safe spaces for parents to express their fears, frustrations, and hopes. Our volunteers often sit beside children during treatment, engage them in activities, and offer comfort through companionship.
Many parents have shared stories of how these comforting conversations helped them stay strong during the most overwhelming days.
Some families struggle with additional expenses that come with treatment - transportation, food, hygiene items, and basic needs. YASKA regularly prepares and distributes essential care packs to lighten the financial burden and show families that they are not alone.
Care Packages
These packages include snacks, toiletries, stationery, toys, and comfort items to brighten a child’s day during long treatment cycles. It is often the smallest gift that brings the biggest smile.
Hospital days can feel long, lonely, and exhausting. YASKA introduces fun inpatient activities such as:
• Art & craft sessions
• Music and movement
• Baking and cooking demos
• Dance and play activities
• Themed celebrations in the ward
These activities have brought joy to so many young patients - helping them temporarily forget needles and medications. One mother shared how her child waited excitedly every week for “YASKA day,” because it was the only day she saw her daughter laugh during treatment.
Survivorship brings new challenges - returning to school, rebuilding confidence, coping with long-term effects. YASKA organizes survivor camps, outings, and bonding events where children meet others who have walked the same journey.
Parents often remark how these camps help their children feel understood, accepted, and empowered.
Raising awareness is one of YASKA’s strongest pillars.
Since 2011, YASKA has held events to educate the public, honour survivors, and strengthen community understanding of childhood cancer. These include:
Fun runs, Health talks, School engagements, Gold Ribbon campaigns, Community gatherings and exhibitions.
International Representation
• SIOP Asia (Paediatric Oncology)
• CCI Asia (Childhood Cancer International)
• VIVA-St. Jude Forums (Singapore)
Through these platforms, YASKA brings Brunei’s voice to global childhood cancer discussions.
Every child deserves joy, dreams, and magical moments. YASKA fulfils small wishes - whether it’s a toy, a book, an experience, or a simple request that brings comfort.
Many parents have shared stories of how these comforting conversations helped them stay strong during the most overwhelming days.
These wishes remind children that they are cherished beyond their illness.
On 26th May 2023, YASKA opened its own centre - a dedicated space for:
• Family support
• Counselling
• Community workshops
• Small group activities
• Volunteer training
The centre stands as a symbol of hope, unity, and the belief that healing goes beyond medicine.
