Since we arrived, we have been consistently asking for more volunteer opportunities and more time to see the philanthropic work that Rotary does. We were extremely excited when we were told that we would be visiting a home that was under construction for a family who had lost theirs. So, we were happy when we pulled up to this:
They even let us stay for a while after the photo op. Miracle of miracles.
We were so glad we stayed because within a few minutes the family who the house was for came over to meet us.
Their home was originally washed a way in a massive flood a few years ago and they have been homeless ever since. If that’s not horrible enough, the mother told us that she lost her two eldest children in the flood. Try to hear that story without sobbing. It’s impossible. I also found it kind of bizarre that they were building the new house for them right next door to the old one, on the same flood plain. Oh well. Thankfully, I had this little chicken nugget in my arms and we couldn’t help but smile again.
I wanted to keep her so badly. She was so sweet. Eventually our herders patience wore thin and we were dragged away. They finally seemed to get the memo and took us to a leprosy center to visit with the patients. Since 1984, new cases of leprosy can bee treated and be made non-contagious. But, you have to receive the treatments before you’ve had the disease for one year. New cases are treated as out-patients while those before 1984 have to be permanently hospitalized.
We spent several hours with the patients who were diagnosed before 1984 and were still suffering the horrors of the disease. Before the treatments were developed, anyone found having leprosy was sent off to a colony and isolated from society. Some of the people we visited had been there for over 80 years. Because of the stigma of the disease, they almost never get visitors, so we were excited to get to spend some quality time visiting with them.
This gentleman was blind and wanted us to take a picture with him so that we could remember the good looking man we met. He was hilarious. He was also 105, how crazy is that! It was a great experience and a good reminder to us all to spend more time volunteering with marginalized populations when we get home.
After spending the afternoon at the hospital, we were told that we were going to ride on a snake boat. I imagined something fabulous like this:
Snake boats are super cool and we were extremely excited. Unfortunately, when we were slightly off on our concept.
Not quite the same. I don’t know where the miscommunication happened, but we put on our smiles and climbed aboard.
Vanessa and I made super cool newspaper hats and we were so glad we did, because the rest of us burned. Taking white people out on the open water sans shade for two hours is a really horrible idea.
We had just enough time to get home before racing off to our evening Rotary meeting. I think we scared them with our burned bodies.
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It makes me smile when I see how happy you are volunteering. You are a great woman and I’m just honored to be able to know you. Also 3 days and you are home. I’ve called the president and he said “Justin, it’s okay to push Valentines day back to Monday for Cely”. So you’ll get your chocolate on monday. :) Bet you didn’t know I had that kind of power did you?
… you tell us every single day that you have that kind of power.
I’ve never disclosed my day changing power..ever. Cute name.
Justin, can you please talk Cely into introducing yourself on the blog? i enjoy your sweet comments to her almost as much as the actual content of her blog. ANNNNND this makes me feel like a creepy stalker. k. thanks. bye. :/
Haha I’ll do my best, but she’s kind of stubborn and does what she wants. But to be honest it’d be like “oh hey this is Justin, I ate a box of cookies then ran and bardot shit on the bed again and I love downtown abbey”. That’s my impression of her by the way. It is spot on. But thanks for appreciating my comments, it’s not creepy at all.
You seem too sweet for words. Something like, “ut cha sakgh skldh wihsdf wityxn”.
Tiff, you said what the rest of us creeps have been thinking. I too enjoy the sweet comments and then I wonder how someone gets great teeth, hair, AND a sweet boyfriend who understands the importance of chocolate.
Seriously though, this trip looks great on you Cely. You don’t look nearly the sweaty mess I imagine I would be. Kudos.
Ya’ll are too kind. I actually for once have no idea what to say in a comment on the blog. I guess the only thing to say is…when you care about someone, you do everything to show them. And her love of reeses brought us together so…obviously I couldn’t forget the chocolate on v day.
I also agree! :)
One of my favorite posts! The kids are always fun to see and adorable in a heart-melty sort of way but this one…both the humanitarian projects are just amazing and I loved seeing both the young and the old (who were less young in body but not in mind/spirit).
I do wonder about that whole rebuilding in the same location thing…I think about that every time we rebuild here in the US after a hurricane too.
I did a small humanitarian thing this week. I acquired girl scout cookies for a friend…thin mints…
Have you read In The Sanctuary of Otucasts? One of my all time favorite books. It is about leprosy and is a true story. You would love it especially after visiting with the people who suffer from the disease.
I will check that out! Thank you for the suggestion!
I’ve been pathetic about commenting because, really, what can you say about a trip to India?! But I have enjoyed the posts much, thanks for taking the time!
We have I think the last leper’s colony in the US in Louisiana. I’d like to visit with one of the research teams one day.
All of the photos of the children are absolutely beautiful! And, you are obviously so happy with them…you will make a great mom one day!
Ask her about the guy who read her palm! Then watch her face..HA!
So, I have heard and the reading sounds intriguing…may all of Cely’s dreams come true!
Whhheeeennn you wiiish upon a staaar…makes no difference who you arreee. Sorry the second i read i hope her dreams come true thats what popped into my head. It’s a gift.
You should consider reading Molokai – a book about leprosy set in Hawaii. I just read it for book club
http://www.amazon.com/Molokai-Alan-Brennert/dp/0312304358
I was going to recommend this too! Amazing book.
Words cannot express how much I have been enjoying all your India posts — and before you left, I didn’t think your blog could get any better! It’s been a blast to follow along, and not only are your pictures amazing, but your usual hilarious commentary gives me at least one great laugh a day. Hope the last few days of the trip are fantastic, and I can’t wait to read what comes next, like how Bardot greets you, what you think of The Walking Dead so far, what your first run is like, etc… (Oh, and I hope you manage to find lots of Reese’s Hearts on clearance when you get back!)
Wow. And to all us 1st worlders, that whole bit about being a leper is just a joke.
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