Bharathapuram

Today I went out to my first Leprosy Colony to actually do medical work. We had most of the 25 plus volunteers out with us at the colony it was a big group but it was fun and we each had something to do. We rotated between three stations washing feet (which was my job most of the day), checking blood pressure, and checking diabetes with Dr. Kumar. Others were helping the two nurses, Pushpaw and Navimani, administer bandages or distribute medical supplies.

Bharathapuram isn't so much a leprosy colony anymore rather than a small village. It is probably the nicest colony that Rising Star works with. Rising Star has been working with Bharathapuram the longest and you can tell - they have all kinds of different micro-loans and other means to bring money into the colony. The art school is a perfect example as well as a carpenter-shop, and small food store. The colony has really grown and Rising Star volunteers have helped to build different things for the colony. Last summer they built out-houses and they are currently working on building a community center.

You are always meeting new people in India - Abby Read a fellow volunteer this is here third trip to India she has been every summer for the last three years.

A few years ago near the time of a new election one of the candidates provided Satelite t.v.s to a majority of India - it felt out of place in Bharathapuram.