A teacher from Bexleyheath said she was given “a second chance at life” to help other people after surviving a life-threatening illness.
Dorota Matuszyk, 44, fell gravely ill last year with Helicobacter which forced her to leave her job as a regular day-to-day teacher.
She said that surviving the bacterial stomach infection that can lead to cancer gave her a second look at life, especially after doctors initially diagnosed her with pancreatic cancer.
Dorota, who lives in Bexleyheath, explained how this opened her eyes to see the bigger picture of issues around the world, and that after many hurdles she wanted to help others.
Dorota decided to team up with Action Guinea Bissau (AGB), a charity in West Africa that works to resolve issues surrounding gender equality and unemployment.
She told the News Shopper: “It was a scary period in my life, the doctors didn’t even know what was wrong with me.
“I had pains in my liver however I didn’t think anything of it, but when the pain started to increase, I knew I had to get medical attention.
“I contacted my GP because I started to lose a lot of weight at once.”
Dorota explained how she has a family history of cancer, as her mum, dad, and grandparents all died of the illness.
She added: “My mum was 49 when she passed away and I’m 44 and so my first thought was if history was repeating itself.
“I also said to myself, I don’t want to die now, there’s so much I could be doing.”
Before Dorota’s diagnosis, her newborn son Jacob died at just eight months old – and his death too pushed her to help others in need.
She said: “My life felt like it was coming crashing down where I received bad news after bad news.
“I lost my baby when he was just eight months as he was diagnosed with Edwards’ syndrome.
“The death of my son also taught me that we should take every day as it comes and make the most out of it.”
Through her tailoring work, Dorota was then offered an opportunity to voluntarily teach kids in Guinea Bissau in West Africa through Zoom.
She had to find other ways to make a living as she couldn't continue teaching because of her illness and her contract also ended at her previous role.
She said: “My sister had spoken to her neighbour who was desperately looking for staff in making cushions and tailoring.
“I decided to take this job as it involved less stress, but it was only the Christmas season.
“I knew it would be a challenge as I had no previous experience, but I needed money and thought I could learn something new in the meantime.”
Dorota is now supporting more than 30 teachers in Guinea Bissau, delivering English and Science by helping them to gain new skills, give them confidence and a chance at higher-level education
She will also continue to raise awareness for people who suffer from FGM, high illiteracy, and early marriage.
Through her work, she was also able to help young girls and women in health projects and purchasing the village their first TV.
She said: “I want to thank Linda from AGB who offered me the voluntary teacher-trainer position.
“I also want to thank the six people (who she wishes not to be named) who allowed me to contribute to the people of Guinea Bissau.”
Dorota now intends to go back into part-time teaching at a college in Woolwich while continuing her charity work.
You can donate to Dorota's JustGiving page by clicking here.
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