By Germaine Lim

THE name Beyonce may not have rung a bell for little Mohamed Saleh.

But a kiss and a hug from the American R&B singer were all it took to make the 4-year-old's day.

Yesterday afternoon, he met Beyonce, 28, at the Viva-University Children's Cancer Centre of the National University Hospital (NUH).

Mohamed Saleh has cancer in his right foot and has been a patient at NUH since last November.

His mother, 32-year-old housewife Kamsinah Bahari, told The New Paper on Sunday that they were told of Beyonce's visit by NUH staff on Friday.

She said her son had greeted Beyonce and kissed her hand. And she then gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Beyonce's visit had also been a treat for Madam Kamsinah, who is a fan.

Though a shy Saleh, who was wearing a face mask, did not speak much about his encounter with Beyonce when we met him, his eyes, which brightened at the mention of her name, clearly indicated his delight.

Together with US group Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce performed a sold-out concert at Fort Canning Park's F1 Rocks Singapore with LG last night.

During the 20-minute closed-door visit at NUH, Beyonce, who arrived at 4.15pm, serenaded 30 kids and their parents with acoustic versions of three songs including hits Halo and Irreplaceable, Madam Kamsinah said.

Ever the professional, Beyonce had taken along a group of backup singers.

Praised Beyonce

Parents whom The New Paper spoke to heaped praises on the singer.

One couple, who gave their names only as Declan and Anne, said their 14-year-old son, a patient at the hospital, is a huge Beyonce fan.

The family, from Ireland, has been living in Singapore for 12 years.

Their son, whom they declined to name, was unable to attend last night's concert as he had been advised to avoid crowded places.

Anne said: 'This is better than attending the concert. It's a dream come true for my son.'

She added that Beyonce signed autographs for the kids too.

Declan said: 'She's an amazing lady. She's incredibly generous, just like the hospital.'

Brothers Bryan and Brendon Chin, aged 10 and 8, both NUH patients, were also part of the audience.

Their mother, Mrs Roseline Chin, said Beyonce gave a rousing performance, but it was the singer's warm smile that Bryan remembered most.

While Beyonce's visit may have been short and not everyone had personal contact with her like Mohamed Saleh did, she definitely made an impact, Mrs Chin said.

'Her visit lifted everyone's spirits.'

gerlim@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The New Paper.