Day 7, Bharatapuram Leprosy Colony

We went to Bharatapuram Leprosy Colony.  We loaded into the vans at 8:50.  The weather was actually fairly cool (for near the equator in a jungle in India).  The drive was about 50 minutes.  The colony was sort of a retirement center with I estimate 30 residents.  The people were very happy.  Two women in particular were just ecstatic to have us there.  One of them just sat on the edge of her bed holding hands with Charity and Kaylee.  

Just as we were about to begin, Marissa fainted.  The doctor there (a very nice man) insisted that she get up and walk and then sit on a chair.  He said, “you believe in God?  Which?  Jesus?  I want you to close your eyes and think about Jesus for 2 minutes.”  I had a hard time watching this.  She was so pale that she was almost green, and though I think it’s a very nice thing to think about Jesus, I just wanted to get her lying down with her feet up!  Finally, she started to lose consciousness again, we were able to get her to the van, on her back with her feet up.  The doctor tried to get her to drink some Indian “Gatorade,” which apparently tasted terrible to her.  She liked actual Gatorade much better, and soon she was feeling fine.

We soon started seeing the patients.  Kristen took off bandages, I washed, Kyla oiled, and Charity had a station where she both washed and oiled.  There was one very handsome gentleman who was so taken with Charity.  He smiled so big and wanted a photo with her.  It was so cute.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Lydia went with Anna across the street to a nursery to play with children then came to the van to cheer up Marissa.

After the clinic, we walked down the street to a business started with a microgrant, called “Pearls with Purpose.”  This non-profit teaches people how to make jewelry.  The building looked nice by local standards, originally built as a social hall for leprosy patients who were unable to utilize other community facilities.  

After visiting the Pearls with Purpose, we  walked a few meters down the road to The Bali Art School.  Here, lepers have been trained as artisits.  I understand that sometimes they have to use their feet, if their hands are too disfigured.  Their art really was remarkable.  We bought one piece and took a photo with the artist.  

We at our last eat-with-your-fingers lunch at RSO, packed up, then went to play time with the kids.  I played cricked with Vijay.  I was batter and bowler.  The kids are very happy and we had a lot of fun. 

Outside our room at the Elephant House

Lunch

Lydia with some of her friends

With Elumalai

Indian style toilet

Our friends, other volunteers and coordinators

Notice the satellite dish circled in the upper left corner

That night, as usual we helped prepare fruit and vegetables, and headed up for dinner.  We always ate dinner with the volunteers and volunteer staff on top of the green house, next to the Elephant House.  I always enjoyed that time to chat with the others.  We would always go around and share our “highs and lows” for the day.  On this, our last night, we were asked to share something we would take home from our experience.  .... 

Then, came my favorite part of every day—story time.   When it came time to go, Charity and I sang our retro-mix “Now is the Hour” (Mauri Farewell Song) / “Golden Slumbers” (Lenon/McCartney), then a bunch of the boys came up to give me a hug.  One of them shouted “group hug!”  Then we had to go.  Ashok came to the porch and at the bottom of the stairs, I turned to wave at him, and I could see his shadow in the darkness against the light of the hostel; he waved back.  About halfway to the corner of the building, I again turned to wave at him and he waved back.  Then again at the corner, before slipping of sight, I turned to wave at him and he waved back for the last time.