We are currently in India serving at Rising Star Outreach. It is an organization that is dedicated to helping people with leprosy and their kids. We live at a hostel that is nearby the school for the kids. Every other day we go to the leprosy colonies, and help the people there. It is really amazing, that some of them don't have hands, or have stubs for feet, and yet they are still so happy. Many of the people with leprosy are smiling, cheerful people, which I think is awesome. In India, those with leprosy are shunned and forced to live in their own colonies. Even their kids rare shunned, even though they don't have leprosy. On the days that we don't go to the colonies, we help the kids in school.
On a colony day, we leave at around 9 and go for an hour-ish car ride to one of the colonies. We spent 10 or 20 minutes setting up the stations that the people go to. One of our family members is usually at each station. The first one is they get their books. They take these around and get different medical stuff written in them. At the next station they get their blood pressure taken. Most of them have bandages around their feet to protect their ulcers, and at the next station they get them cut off. Then they go get their feet cleaned and oiled. Sometimes, their feet are more like stubs than feet, and toes are often times nonexistant. After they get new bandages on, they pick up their medicine and leave. Yesterday, we went to a smaller colony, and had some time after, so some of the other volunteers, Shaun and Catherine played some music and we had a dance party with some of the people with leprosy. These people can hardly walk, and some of them can barely crawl. We tried to get everyone involved, and you could really tell that they appreciated it and loved that we would take time out of our days to help them and make them feel happy.
On the days that we don't go to the colonies, we go to the school for the kids. We help them with their various classes, and then after, we usually go play with the kids after. Sometimes we play basketball with the older kids, or soccer, or tag, or anything. The kids are always so happy, which really amazes me. These kids are separated from their parents, and sent to a school. They see their parents once a month or less. But they are still happy and cheerful.
When the kids eat meals, it's almost always rice and curry. We go over and eat with them for usually one meal a day at least. I can't say that I am particularly fond of rice or curry though. Luckily we have a little kitchen in the hostel, so we can eat other foods. We are getting sick of toast, cereal, and fresh fruit though.
On a colony day, we leave at around 9 and go for an hour-ish car ride to one of the colonies. We spent 10 or 20 minutes setting up the stations that the people go to. One of our family members is usually at each station. The first one is they get their books. They take these around and get different medical stuff written in them. At the next station they get their blood pressure taken. Most of them have bandages around their feet to protect their ulcers, and at the next station they get them cut off. Then they go get their feet cleaned and oiled. Sometimes, their feet are more like stubs than feet, and toes are often times nonexistant. After they get new bandages on, they pick up their medicine and leave. Yesterday, we went to a smaller colony, and had some time after, so some of the other volunteers, Shaun and Catherine played some music and we had a dance party with some of the people with leprosy. These people can hardly walk, and some of them can barely crawl. We tried to get everyone involved, and you could really tell that they appreciated it and loved that we would take time out of our days to help them and make them feel happy.
On the days that we don't go to the colonies, we go to the school for the kids. We help them with their various classes, and then after, we usually go play with the kids after. Sometimes we play basketball with the older kids, or soccer, or tag, or anything. The kids are always so happy, which really amazes me. These kids are separated from their parents, and sent to a school. They see their parents once a month or less. But they are still happy and cheerful.
When the kids eat meals, it's almost always rice and curry. We go over and eat with them for usually one meal a day at least. I can't say that I am particularly fond of rice or curry though. Luckily we have a little kitchen in the hostel, so we can eat other foods. We are getting sick of toast, cereal, and fresh fruit though.
What amazing experiences you are having. Besides photos (and blogs) I hope you are writing a few other things down, so you can share more detail with us when you arrive here. And we do love to read about your experiences! And we love you.
ReplyDeleteGrandpa Hull
This is Michael Priddis by the way.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's has to be humbling to be there and see those people. I'm sure the kids are really learning a lot.