Now the moment we've been waiting for for 4 months arrives: we get to go to the leprosy colony for the first time. First we go to Bethel Nagar. We set up the medical equipment in a community center. At this point, McKay announces that he is not having anything to do with this, he is going to wait in the van. Nice try, bud. I should mention here that there are 12 of us in this volunteer session: our family; Jon, newly wed from Utah; Dorothy, a school teacher from DC, and the Lizerbram's, a family from San Diego. The Lizerbram's have come with their two teenagers, Noah, 19, and Jenna, 16. Jenna and Noah are amazing--they have their own npo, Youth Jamz, that raises money for charity. They raised $5000 and purchased musical instruments for the school. Wow. The Lizerbram's left their 11 and 8 year old home because they didn't feel the young ones were old enough to handle it. We wish their younger ones were here, our kids would have loved it. So, ok, maybe we're pushing it with McKay. Anyway, Dave and I are going to be washing the patient's feet. A post we have specifically chosen. Keaton will be rubbing oil into their skin and giving massages. Carson will be emptying and cleaning the water tubs, and Makenzie will help with medical charts and blood pressure. We give McKay the job of sitting between Dave and I and handing us the towelettes and booties. I was nervous, but it turned out to be no problem. Isn't Makenzie professional?
After we are done, we visit some of the micro-businesses. Pearl necklaces, barbershop, cabinetmaker, and my favorite, art school. These are our art pieces we bought.
We were also able to spend a lot of time playing with the children at the school, and tutoring them. Remember, most of these kids are the children of the people at the leprosy colonies. After returning from Christmas break, we have to delouse and deworm them. Some are covered in sores and bites. They spend 330 days a year away from their families, but in much better living conditions. Still, they are so eager for the pictures we bring of their families in the colonies--they are homesick after only a few days.
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| Me with Anu |
Many of the children came from the poorest colony--Walajabad. The conditions here were unbelievable.
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| We got McKay to put on the booties!! |
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| Carson and Bala |
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| Homes in Walajabad |
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| Medical team |
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| Monkeys at the park. Makenzie was getting right up close to them, and I was just waiting for one of them to jump up and bite her on the face!! |
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| Priya |
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| Sathya |
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| Toilet |
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| Shower |
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| Shopping mall |
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| Cricket |
After we are done, we visit some of the micro-businesses. Pearl necklaces, barbershop, cabinetmaker, and my favorite, art school. These are our art pieces we bought.
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