Mumtaj from Chettipiniyam
Friday, January 03, 2014
Mumtaj was born in Ramanthapuram District. At the age of 5 she was diagnosed with
leprosy and began treatment in the Karigi Hospital by a mobile medical clinic
hosted by German volunteers. There
includes one other member of her family who also has been affected with
leprosy, her father’s uncle. In 1971, at
the age of 16, Mumtaj was arranged to be married to her husband and to show respect and love for her new husband,
a Muslim, Mumtaj, a Hindu, converted to Islam.
They both moved out of the government leprosy home where they met each
other – a home where they received their nutrition, medical care, basic needs,
and government pensions – into the Ramanthapuram District leprosy colony. The government leprosy home was Mumtaj’s home
for 18 years. But they needed to move
out after they were married because non-affected leprosy people cannot reside
in the home. Many leprosy colony
families live in the colonies because they are family friendly. In the colonies, it is permitted to have your
family live with you no matter their status of leprosy. Mumtaj and her husband were blessed with a
daughter. Mumtaj has two
grandchildren. Her daughter, two
grandchildren, and son-in-law live far away from the colony, and sadly, her
husband passed away 8 years ago.
Mumtaj is 62 years old and has been a resident of the
Chettipuniyam colony for 20 years. Her
mobility is limited, she has no restroom in her house, and she has no income or
support other than the medical support provided by Rising Star Outreach Medical
Team and the financial assistance provided by the government. This colony does not have a communal bathroom
but is currently undergoing the process of receiving one with the help of
Rising Star Outreach.
For more information on Kaylee's interview with Mumtaj please visit her blog.
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