Every Boxing Day (viz. December 26) Ma visits her beloved lepers
December 2004 This year my beloved friend Brian and the folks from Heronwood Farms in Toronto Canada treated the lepers to more tea leaves, sugar, and soap. The big thing this year was their request for cooking oil and we were able to supply them with the whole year`s worth! What a joy for me. Thankyou so much Larry and Sara.
December 2003
Owing to various reasons I am horribly late in posting this news to all of you who have donated so generously for our work with the lepers, infact the whole web site has been neglected since the last many months! As some of you know, two or three times a year I visit one of the several leper colonies in and near Rishikesh. I find that by and large they are supported by some of the bigger ashrams here in Rishikesh, but they do not get any "extras" in their lives (like warm clothes, or tea leaves, and sugar) and so they still need to go out begging. As much as the extras, they do not get any love from society whatsoever and are regarded as having a plague. They are so touched by my visits! They tell me I am the only outside person who ever visits them!
Leprosy, or Hansen`s disease, (a Britisher named Hansen discovered the tiny difference TB bacterial infection went through, in only some people, to become the nerve disease Leprosy)is completely curable, not infectious, and if treated in time, does not manifest any of those typical stunted limbs and collapsed noses which distinguishes lepers. Here in my part of India as with many other places in the world, lepers are feared and abhorred and made to live together in separate colonies where they mostly survive by begging, although they are taught some simple crafts sometimes as well. A notable exception to this is Vinoba ji`s ashram in Wardha where the lepers are in charge and serve the local community! The colonies in Rishikesh are luckier than some because a few ashrams collect donations for them. One colony in Rishikesh has a very dedicated swami who has lived with them and treated their symtoms since years.
The thing which touches me is their sweetness and humility despite being treated so badly by society! Also, I was shocked to learn that many of them are educated people like engineers and even one doctor! How could this happen? The Indian government takes out ad campaigns informing the public that Leprosy is curable, and the medicines are free. You have to hear their individual stories to believe how this has happened to them. What a karma! They will never be able to mix in normal society or meet their friends and relatives ever again.
So, as in every year on Boxing Day, (I am writing this on 12/26/03), we distributed $300.00 worth of goodies to the lepers including new long underwear and tea leaves (their favourite treat!). They have asked for extra rice which we will give to them in the next week or so. Thanks to all of you on my tour in the United States who so kindly contributed!
Ma giving out warm underwear. The lepers patience and sweetness is so touching!
