This past Friday I went out with the medical team and the other long term volunteers to Mogalvadi Leprosy Colony. This is one of our favorite places to go because the people there are so amazing and so happy. There is one inperticular named Jayraj that is so lively, energetic and gives way more back to us then we could give to him. Not only does he give to us but I have a feeling he is the life and soul of this colony. He's the life of the party!
When you come and do medical you first unload the van and set up the tables, chairs, stations, and medical supplies. What touches me every time is that the people here don't wait for you to do everything for them. They want to help you however they can. So they will help carry things and help set up.
Once everything is set up patient folders are handed out and evaluations and vitals are started.
This day happened to be a holiday for the Indian schools so we were able to see some of the little kids from the area.
Medicine and medical materials are logged in the patient files and distributed to patients. Below Jayraj is getting his medicine for the next two weeks.
Here are Carl and Miranda at their stations. Carl is washing feet and Miranda is working with the nurse applying bandages, etc.
Here is Berlyn with her buddy Saroja. She is such a sweet woman who takes care of her husband with so much love.
I was with Berlyn at the blood pressure station and glucose testing.
Here Berlyn is using her nursing skills with a needle. This is their least favorite part of our visits...
I love this picture because I can here Jayraj sing and laugh as he strikes his pose.
Last time Berlyn was here she videotaped Jayraj singing and dancing. This is her showing him, he thought it was great!
Here is Saroja with her husband. Their relationship is so beautiful.
At the end of medical is the fun part where we get to socialize and dance and sing. We are often taken into homes and given tours of where they live and where their family lives.
When people first get here they are so caught up in the fact that these people don't have things. We in America are use to things, we think people are poor if they don't have the clutter and toys. When I walk in there I see that they have everything they need. They have food, shelter, and family... They are happy. We were at dinner last night and one of the volunteers had said he noticed that the people that we serve in the colonies have a light in there eyes. They have a light that not all of the other Indian's have, they are really and truly special. They may not have material things but they have what counts.
I love these people.
Here is Anandan and me. Anan likes to play the attack game. You point and yell attack at them and they can't move, you HAVE to freeze. He made a change to the rule that if I am laughing and he says attack I have to keep laughing. To un-freeze them to have to say "Release." We like to play this at restaurants because you attack before they get the food to their mouth and make them freeze. Then you eat the food of their fork... they can't do anything to stop it.
I think leaving is the hardest part.
And then Anan starts making reverse music and we feel better.
Here are some things we see on the road:
