We have exciting news! A new test has been created to detect leprosy almost a whole year before symptoms appear! The IDRI (Infectious Disease Research Institute) has created this test, where the results can be examined on a smartphone. This is an exciting new innovation that can help in the eradication of leprosy. For more information click on the New York Times logo for the article or click on the video link.

Video

Because of inventions like these and your voice we are able to create awareness of leprosy.

Spotlight on a GPA Charitable Outreach Program

Rising Star Outreach – India

While visiting India in 2000, Atlanta’s Becky Douglas observed a depth of suffering that was palpable.  She witnessed human beings in deplorable conditions.  Worst of all were the Leprosy beggars who would approach her at every stop begging for help.  Those afflicted with Leprosy in India must often spend their lives completely isolated from society.  They, and members of their families, sometimes find it impossible to marry, receive education or find work, and are forced into “Leprosy Colonies”.  In India, there are over 700 Leprosy Colonies where the stigma of leprosy is inevitably perpetrated.

When Becky returned to The States, she was so haunted by the suffering she had seen, she knew that she had to do something to help.  She called four close friends, and around Becky’s kitchen table, Rising Stat Outreach was formed.  In March 2002, it was incorporated and received its 501(c)(3) tax-free status.  The mission of Rising Star is to help the Leprosy Colonies in India become thriving, self-sufficient communities.  They are accomplishing this through providing medical care through mobile medical clinics, providing economic rehabilitation through micro-grants, and providing educational opportunities for children in the colonies so they can become productive citizens of India.

In 2004, Rising Star Outreach opened its first children’s home and school with 27 children from the Leprosy Colonies.  A year later, a second home was opened for 32 additional colony children.  Today there are more than 200 children from the Leprosy colonies attending school on the Rising Star campus.

As a result of the Order of St. Lazarus’ generous donations, Rising Star Outreach has been able to purchase a new medical van, much needed medical equipment, medicines and vaccinations, and, as a result, attract highly qualified doctors and nurses for its medical clinic and mobile medical van services.  As stated by Steele Hendershot, the COO of Rising Star Outreach, “If it wasn’t for the Order of St. Lazarus, the medical care in the Leprosy Colonies of India would be nowhere near what it is today!”

H. R. (Pent) Penton, KCLJ, MMLJ, Ph.D.

Commander

Commandery of the Southeast

Saleema, the leprosy colony leader of Chettipunyum, is one of the friendliest women you will meet during your stay at Rising Star Outreach. Her English is just good enough that you can capture what she is trying to express without grabbing the nearest translator. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit and chat with her about her life, and let me tell you, she is a well-rounded woman. She is hilarious, on top of being smart and beautiful.

She is 61year old and has had leprosy for the past 40 years. However, unlike most leprosy patients she never had trouble interacting with people in the local community, particularly in the early stages of the disease. When I asked why that was, she laughed and simply said, it was because she was so beautiful. She was diagnosed with leprosy at age 21 but continued living in her home in Villapuram until she was 30--mostly because she was unaware of any treatment. One day while reading the local newspaper she saw an ad for a government home for leprosy patients in Chengleputt so she decided to start the next adventure of her life.

For most people, the government home was a difficult place to live due to the environment, but Saleema lived like a goddess. During her stay at the government home she had 5 men propose to her, one of them was the Belgium social worker. He wanted to take her back to Belgium so she could be an Indian princess. At this point in her life she was ready to get married and was worried about all of the opportunities before her and ultimately decided that she wanted to marry for true love. Matthew, this Belgium man, obviously did not make the cut. She started laughing at this point in the story and saying, “Chance, gone.” I could not help but laugh with her.

 

One of the men pursuing her was also a leprosy patient who had been divorced. Usually, those conditions would leave a man single for his entire life but she was especially fond of him. He had a certain kindness in his heart and she knew that their connection was more than infatuation. She felt like it was real love because of their circumstances, both were suffering from leprosy at an older age and he had such a kind heart he would never hurt her. Well, she dropped all of her suitors and they got married and lived happily ever after in Chettipunyum.

She showed me a collection of photos of her children and her when she was in her 40s. You can get a tiny glimpse of her young beautiful self from these photos.

-- Anita Leiva (Medical Coordinator)


Pictures from the Chettipunyum Colony

Writing this month’s newsletter gives rise to tender feelings as I consider the support given to Rising Star from so many remarkable individuals!

On February 23^rd the Rising Star “Be the Change” Benefit Dinner was held at the Energy Solutions facility, home of the Utah Jazz.  The theme for the dinner—Gandhi’s admonition, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” reflects much of the work that Rising Star does to help those who suffer from leprosy in India.

Many made their way through blinding blizzard-like conditions to attend the event, yet we were filled to capacity and had to set up more tables throughout the evening.

Wow!  Along with the opportunity to socialize with friends, donors and supporters of Rising Star, the evening featured special performances by talented musicians, Bianca Merkley from New York City, and Jordan Humphrey from Atlanta. Another highlight was the live feed from Rising Star students on the campus in India who expressed their appreciation for the support they receive.

Rising Star provides the resources to bring positive change to many lives through micro-grants, medical care, education or by becoming a sponsor or a volunteer.  You are an integral part of this positive change. Together we are accomplishing amazing things!

 “It’s not about someone doing everything. It’s about everyone doing something.”

Sally Read

“Aunty! Aunty! You see me!” Ragavan confidently clutches the handles of a new, pink jump rope and makes sure I’m giving my full attention. With all the strength his UKG (Indian kindergarten) muscles can muster, he whips the rope over his head and takes a courageous leap, only to trip for the twentieth time and go tumbling into the grass in a fit of laughter. The rope is a bit too long, but before I can adjust it, he yells, “Bye, Aunty!” and goes scampering off to show another volunteer his skills. Technically, the shiny new toy doesn’t belong to Ragavan—an older student bought the jump rope from the “Star Store,” Rising Star’s weekly rewards system where students redeem good behavior points for candy, small toys and other fun items. Every item purchased is treasured by the kids, but this doesn’t mean they hide it away to keep it safe. Out here when you value something, you share it. The older student, Gokul, only had a few minutes with his jump rope before willingly letting Ragavan run wild with it.

Valentine’s Day passed quietly here, but the holiday had us all thinking about what it means to give and receive love. Kids at Rising Star Outreach share everything with each other, and they give just as freely to volunteers. Not a day passes without a student trying to give me his/hers pencil, snack or jewelry. Of course I kindly refuse, instead welcoming gifts of affection, stories and talents. The kids are always putting on a show for us. Play time features daily performances of songs, headstands and swings across the monkey bars, me and the other volunteers always serving as an elated audience. While soaking in these moments with them, I can’t help but think about home and how things are different. In the states we often show people we love them with chocolates, greeting cards and expensive gifts. But here in rural India, volunteers and students have few materials to give, so instead we give ourselves.

Though Valentine’s Day is not celebrated here, we did an activity with the kids where they each drew a name and wrote a kind note to another student. As I explained the activity to my hostel of boys, I forgot where I was for a moment and said things like “No switching names” and “No mean words in your notes.” Then I watched them each light up as they drew the name of a fellow student and carefully crafted a message of love and friendship. When their own notes were delivered, each child was delighted to see what his brother or sister in the neighboring hostel wrote. After reading and re-reading their valentines, each was placed in a pocket or flattened within the pages of a school notebook for safe keeping. I’ve not seen a more openly loving and kind-hearted group of people in my life. I would take a hug from a Rising Star kid over a pound of See’s candy any day!

This activity and many others are making the 2013 volunteer season a remarkable one. In addition to a slew of special visitors, we are on our second official volunteer session of the year. Five lovely women from all over the US are participating in this group, and they cannot believe it’s almost over. Time passes quickly when your days are filled with joyful service, and their fast-approaching departure has everyone desperate to get as much time with the kids and leprosy patients as possible. The Valentine’s Day activity took place during Prayer Time, a special evening program that our volunteers have begun participating in this year. Every night, each volunteer is assigned to a hostel of boys or girls. The volunteer prepares a message for the children, and then they talk, play games and sing songs. I’ve heard it describe as the “magic hour;” it is a spiritual time when the volunteers get to know the students and connect with them on a deeper level.

One of our volunteers invited her hostels to share their “life story” for Prayer Time, which isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Each person shares some simple details about him or herself, including what brought them to Rising Star Outreach. On one particular evening in a girls’ hostel, the eldest child in the house was Soniya, a tenth standard student working diligently to prepare for her final exams. Like many at Rising Star, Soniya comes from a leprosy-affected family. In Prayer Time, she expressed her dream to become a doctor. She said that her father has always supported her pursuit of a medical career. “He told me I should become a doctor. He said that he can’t help people like him, but I can. That’s why it’s such a blessing for me to be at Rising Star. My father may not be able to help, but I can make a difference.” Soniya’s father has suffered from leprosy for many years. His extraordinarily bright and hard-working daughter represents a pivotal chance to break the cycle of pain and poverty. Soniya recognizes this unprecedented opportunity, and we all know she will not let it pass her by. 

We volunteers are so thrilled to be witnesses to stories like these. Every day we are amazed at the resilience and spirit of the students and their families in the leprosy colonies. Sharing in their trials and triumphs is a beautiful experience, and we are moved to continue the flow of love by sharing these stories with friends and family back home. Even more, we hope others will join us in working with and supporting these astounding people. Volunteer in India today!