Today I accompanied my host Rajan to visit one of the nearby leprosy communities. There are 35 children from this area that attend Buddhas Smile school. Rajan told me that one of the leprosy elders came to the school a few years ago and begged to let his grandchildren go to school. Since Rajan speaks Bengali, that is why they sought her school out so they could speak with her in their own language. First there was only two children who attended BSS, but now there are 35.
Getting to the community was no easy task. It is far from the school, through a few villages, across a bridge, past a dump and hidden away close to the railroad tracks. The children told us that just recently one of the boys from their community died on the train tracks. Seeing how far the village is from the school makes me deeply respect the elder who walked all the way to the school to ask for his grandchildren to attend. I can only imagine the type of stares he must have received while walking outside his community but his love for his family gave him the courage to endure it.
As soon as we walked in the elders rushed over to greet us with large smiles on their faces. The community gathered around and had us sit with them in the center of their little village. As Rajan spoke with the elders, mainly the leader who is called "Dada", I sat with the kids as they all held my hands or sang songs. I must admit that I was a little nervous on the way to the community. I had never met anyone with leprosy and my lack of knowledge on the illness made it seem a bit frightening. Once I arrived, the first thing I noticed was their smiles and welcoming eyes. It wasn't until they got closer that I could see the missing limbs or difference in skin color.
Rajan translated what the elder was telling her and he said that many people come through the community but do not interact with them. If foreigners come they make promises to help but don't follow through. Medication and medical treatment are also scarcely given to those suffering with leprosy. As he spoke about the lack of care from those who can help, I could see the sadness on his face and his voice became quieter. This community loves Rajan for giving their children hope at a better life. Since the elders have leprosy, they can't do much to help their families. Rajan treated each person there with love and acceptance regardless of them being part of the unseen, forgotten part of society.
The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.
~Mother Teresa
Getting to the community was no easy task. It is far from the school, through a few villages, across a bridge, past a dump and hidden away close to the railroad tracks. The children told us that just recently one of the boys from their community died on the train tracks. Seeing how far the village is from the school makes me deeply respect the elder who walked all the way to the school to ask for his grandchildren to attend. I can only imagine the type of stares he must have received while walking outside his community but his love for his family gave him the courage to endure it.
As soon as we walked in the elders rushed over to greet us with large smiles on their faces. The community gathered around and had us sit with them in the center of their little village. As Rajan spoke with the elders, mainly the leader who is called "Dada", I sat with the kids as they all held my hands or sang songs. I must admit that I was a little nervous on the way to the community. I had never met anyone with leprosy and my lack of knowledge on the illness made it seem a bit frightening. Once I arrived, the first thing I noticed was their smiles and welcoming eyes. It wasn't until they got closer that I could see the missing limbs or difference in skin color.
Rajan translated what the elder was telling her and he said that many people come through the community but do not interact with them. If foreigners come they make promises to help but don't follow through. Medication and medical treatment are also scarcely given to those suffering with leprosy. As he spoke about the lack of care from those who can help, I could see the sadness on his face and his voice became quieter. This community loves Rajan for giving their children hope at a better life. Since the elders have leprosy, they can't do much to help their families. Rajan treated each person there with love and acceptance regardless of them being part of the unseen, forgotten part of society.
The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.
~Mother Teresa
What a blessing to India, Rajan is and a role model of Christianity
ReplyDeleteYes, she is an amazing person. I think it is a lesson for others too that there are good people from all walks of life and not just within your own faith.
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