Be the Change: Medical

Volunteer Spotlight: Matt Goes To India

Medical

Tuesday, October 27, 2015
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August President's Letter

Advocacy

“I have learned, as a rule of thumb,

never to ask whether you can do something.

Say, instead, that you are doing it.

Then fasten your seat belt. The most remarkable things follow.”

— Julia Cameron

Six years ago Shawn Bradley -- known in the basketball world and also for his towering height -- and his wife Annette, envisioned doing something to help Rising Star Outreach. They had volunteered in India with their children and had seen the needs of many affected by leprosy. Basketball was Shawn’s game, but he also plays a mean game of golf. Margaret Archibald, a long time supporter and board member of Rising Star, suggested having a golf event at the Red Ledges Golf Course in Heber City, Utah. She and her husband Nolan Archibald were well connected with Red Ledges and knew it was a pristine course with incredible views of the mountains. They surmised any golfer would feel privileged to play on this challenging and demanding course!

Together with the staff and board members of Rising Star, they fastened their seat belts and remarkable things followed.

On September 15, 2015, The Sixth Annual Shawn Bradley Golf Invitational and Rising Star Outreach President’s Brunch will again be held at the beautiful Red Ledges Golf Course.

This year at the President’s Brunch we welcome home Becky Douglas, founder of Rising Star Outreach. For the past three years she and her husband John Douglas have been serving for their church in the Dominican Republic. It will be exciting to reconnect with her and have the opportunity to hear about the remarkable progress of Rising Star.

I invite you to register on our website for the golf tournament here and learn more about our president's brunch here. Donations raised at this tournament are used to provide support and give hope to thousands through our medical, economic rehabilitation, and educational programs.

Come golf, hit a hole-in-one, visit with Becky Douglas and at the same time give back in a meaningful way!

Karpagvali

Megala K.

Sonya

Speaking of remarkable happenings, each of the Rising Star Outreach graduates from 12th Standard had high marks on their final exams and graduated from St. John’s International School. Commendably each has been accepted into prestigious colleges and institutes of higher learning to continue their education. Rising Star congratulates Logeshwari, Karpagavalli, Sonya, Megala, and Monodhaya for their dedication and hard work in this momentous achievement!

Logeshwari G.

Manodhaya N.

Logeshwari and Manodhaya are now studying at the Schieffelin Institute of Health Research and Leprosy Center in the three-year Physician Assistant course, and Karpagavalli is enrolled to study Technology at Saranaphan College of Engineering to receive a Bachelor’s degree. Sonya has applied for a Bachelor’s degree in nursing at Dr. Mahanlignam College of Paramedical Sciences, and Megala would like to study nursing and is awaiting results of the entrance exams.

Each of these graduates have compelling life stories, and they’ve overcome difficult situations because their families have been affected by leprosy and/or poverty. However, these circumstances have not deterred them from achieving their goals so they could attend college. Their diligence and dedication is a remarkable reminder of the power of the human spirit.

At Rising Star, we believe education is a gift -- a gift that continues giving generation after generation. Education can break the cycle of poverty and greatly reduce the stigma attached to leprosy. I firmly believe education gives our Rising Star students life options that they never dreamed were possible.

To all of you that constantly support the life-changing work of Rising Star Outreach, I thank you for putting on your seat belt of service — sharing your resources and love, and helping create for thousands the remarkable ripple effect of healing, self-sufficiency, and educational opportunities.

Remember to register for the Shawn Bradley Golf Invitational and Rising Star Outreach President’s Brunch!

With gratitude,

Sally Read

President

Rising Star Outreach

Friday, July 31, 2015
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July President's Letter

Advocacy

We are pleased to welcome back Becky Douglas, Founder of Rising Star Outreach. She and her husband John have been serving the people of the Dominican Republic for the past three years. Becky is anxious to reconnect with former and new friends and supporters of Rising Star Outreach. Welcome home!

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St. Francis of Assisi

While visiting India in the year 2000, Becky was shocked and disturbed by the plight of those affected by leprosy. She and a few friends decided to “start by doing what [was] necessary” to assist the individuals and families suffering from the physical impact and social stigma of leprosy.

These women saw a need and in small ways they did what they believed was “possible.” They began by raising money and involving friends and educating them about the wide-spread existence of leprosy around the world. Then, they administered basic humanitarian assistance to the leprosy colonies in southern India by providing medicines, bandages, food, and clothing. As the desire to help increased, their reach exceeded their grasp and “suddenly [they were] doing [what some thought to be] impossible.”

A few stanzas from a poem by Joseph Norris describes their vision:

“Drop a pebble in the water

And its ripples reach out far.

Do a deed of simple kindness;

Though its end you may not see,

It may reach, like widening ripples,

Down a long eternity.”

Becky Douglas, Sharon Thompson, Padma Venkataraman and many others saw that one kind action lead to another. By doing something necessary, they saw the reality of what was possible. The ripples of their actions continue today as those involved in Rising Star Outreach achieve the impossible.

There is still much to do, but who could have imagined that from those humble beginnings Rising Star would see such growth. Thousands of individuals and families have received medical care and been given a helping hand to business ownership. Hundreds of their children and grandchildren are now ‘rising stars’ because of the superior education they are receiving.

Thank you for helping Rising Star Outreach make a remarkable difference in making the impossible ----possible!

Sally Read
President

Rising Star Outreach

Wednesday, July 01, 2015
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Common Questions About Leprosy

Medical

Let’s face it, the average person doesn’t know very much about leprosy. That's why we have compiled this handy reference guide focused on helping you answer the questions we frequently receive. If any of your questions are not answered here, we encourage you to leave your question in the comment section below, we would love to answer those.

Is leprosy contagious/will I get leprosy if I go to India?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 95% of all adults are naturally unable to get leprosy, even if they are exposed to the bacteria that causes it. In other words, leprosy is mildly contagious, but it is unlikely you will acquire leprosy when you go to India. When someone with leprosy starts treatment, they quickly become non-infectious. Those at greatest risk of contracting leprosy are the family members of a person who has the disease and is not being treated.

How is leprosy identified?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the first signs of leprosy are usually pale or slightly red areas on the body, particularly the abdomen or extremities. Frequently, there is a decrease in sensation of light touch in the area of the rash. Loss of feeling in the hands or feet may also occur. The infection can also be associated with changes of the skin on the face, such as thinning of the eyebrows. Today, doctors are also able to diagnose leprosy by doing a skin biopsy of the rash.

How soon will I know if I have leprosy?

It is difficult to identify when someone contracts leprosy. The reason is due to the bacterium that causes it. Mycobacterium laprae multiplies slowly and has a long incubation period. Therefore, the infection may not express any symptoms for five to twenty years.

How is leprosy treated?

Leprosy is treated with a combination of three antibiotics commonly referred to as multi-drug therapy (MDT). The antibiotics most commonly used are Dapsone, Rifampin, and Clofazimine. Since 1995, the World Health Organization started providing MDT to all endemic countries free of charge.

Is leprosy curable?

Yes, leprosy can be cured with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT).

How is leprosy related to Hansen’s disease?

Hansen's disease is another name for leprosy. This is due to the following:

Leprosy has existed for thousands of years, but the cause of Leprosy was not discovered until 1873 by a Norwegian scientist named G.H Armauer Hansen. Until that time, most experts on the subject considered leprosy to be a hereditary disease. Hansen, however, suspected its cause to be a specific, contagious agent and, with this in mind, set out to study individual leprosy patients. He decided to first look for variations in the blood of his patients. Finding nothing, he moved on to examine his patients skin cells. Here, he discovered a foreign bacterium not found in uninfected skin cells. After prolonged studies, these were found to be the cause of Leprosy, now known as Hansen's Disease.

Where is leprosy most prevalent?

Leprosy is most common in India, Angola, Brazil, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, and the United Republic of Tanzania. Of these countries, India has the highest number of new leprosy cases in the world.

Where can I learn even more about leprosy?

The following websites contain more information about leprosy:

Rising Star Outreach is dedicated to making your experience in India as safe as possible. We will provide high quality personal protective equipment for every volunteer interacting with our friends afflicted with leprosy. We are excited to have you join us in the fight against leprosy, and know your experience in India will be a memory you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Tuesday, October 07, 2014
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Padma Venkataraman: A Catalyst for Change

Advocacy

Today we wish to highlight and honor a woman who truly has changed the world: Padma Venkataraman. Padma has played a vital role in helping Rising Star Outreach become what it is today. Her influence at Rising Star Outreach, and many other organizations across the world, will continue for generations.

While I was in India I had the privilege of speaking to Padma over the phone. During our conversation my heart was touched as I got a sense for the genuine love and concern she has for all people. It is my hope that you will come to know Padma as I now know her. I have been inspired by her words and have been motivated to do all I can to make a difference in this world. You can come to know Padma more be reading this transcript of my interview with her.

Padma, with your background as the daughter of the former President of India, you could live a life of luxury if you wanted to. Why did you choose the path you are on?

This is the question I am asked time and again … I don’t really have any answer other than I feel like it is God's call. I really don’t have a specific reason. While I was living in Austria I came to India on holiday and noticed the leprosy-affected people begging at the traffic light. This is not the main reason why I really started and took it so seriously. But after seeing these people beg, I thought if I give them five rupees, it is not going to affect me much, but when they are hungry again they will be back to square one. They will have to come back to beg again. I thought I should either give them a viable alternative to begging, or I should give them some cash. When I went back to Vienna I thought again and again, what could I do? How could I help them? Is there really any way they can be self-sufficient?

What was your first step toward helping those afflicted with leprosy?

My first experience to leprosy work goes way back to 1964. At the request of an organization working for the leprosy-affected people, I promoted wooden toys made by leprosy-affected people. It wasn’t until I was living in Vienna that it really hit me hard and I wanted to do something permanent. I did not want to just give away cash or food. I felt very strongly that anything given free-will has no value. I really wanted to give them something sustainable so they would not have to resort to begging at all.

My first idea was to go to a small colony in Delhi and convince them to be productive members of the society. This concept was totally new to them. They protested saying there is stigma attached to this disease and no one will buy products made by them. They insisted that I should help them by giving clothes, food, blankets etc.

I spent lot of time with them to make them gain self-confidence.

Eventually they came forward to try out the new idea. I talked to government officials and was able to get them free training on how to make detergent. I put in my own money for the initial supplies, and soon we were able to find buyers to buy the detergent in large quantities. This is how I started my very first program. Soon other colony people started contacting me wanting to do something similar. Shahdara Colony in Delhi, the largest colony in the world with 4,000 leprosy-affected people, is transformed into a village bubbling with economic activities.

How did you find out about Rising Star Outreach?

From 1995-2002 I was the director of Women’s Indian Association-DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency) Project for socioeconomic rehabilitation of leprosy-affected people. Ten homes run by government and 30 colonies were taken up. Agricultural and dairy projects and micro grant program for income generating activities were taken up. Training for self governance was given. A revolving fund was created whereby sustainability of the project was ensured.

Two volunteers from Rising Star Outreach were going from colony to colony helping them, giving them rice and beans. While interacting with the colony people my name and the micro grant program were mentioned. So they called me one day and said, "We have heard about you and want to do something really useful. We heard about your micro credit program, can we meet with you?" I said, "By all means. My policy is that I don’t want to give anything away for free because anything that is given away for free has no value. This is my principle."

Then they wrote to Becky and gave her a report of my project I just completed. I was also going to Washington D.C. to meet my daughter. So they told Becky, and I ended up meeting with her in Washington D.C. That is how we met. During our meeting we talked about our dreams, mission and vision and more than anything else we became good good sisters from two different continents.

Without you Rising Star would not be what it is today. What role did you play in helping Rising Star Outreach in the beginning?

I am so happy to be part of Rising Star Outreach from its inception. Becky was keen to start the rehabilitation work without any delay; she also had enough funds to start the work. Her enthusiasm was very infectious. But to bring in foreign money into India we have to fulfill certain rules and regulation. Women’s Indian Association was willing to partner with Rising Star Outreach India to facilitate to start the work. Then we obtained our FCRA (Foreign Currency Regulation Act) permission. Now in a short period of 10 years what RSO has accomplished is really a history.

Are you working with organizations other than Rising Star Outreach?

I am a catalyst. I work with government and non-government organizations both national and international and United Nations organizations. I am President of Women’s Indian Association, Vice President of Srinivasa Gandhi Nilayam, Trustee Global Cancer Concern-India, Patron Gandhi Peace Foundation.

Gandhi Peace Foundation is trying to approach the school children to teach Gandhian principles. We visited and interacted with the Rising Star Outreach students. We may not be able to stop war between two nations, but definitely each one of us can practice peace in our own small way. One example is this: there was electricity failure. The grandfather grumbles. The father shouts because his work is disturbed. The mother complains that she cannot finish her cooking. The young boy of the house, who has attended workshop organized by Gandhi Peace Foundation, quietly brings lighted candles to everyone. Peace is restored in the home.

Where did you learn the principles you are spreading throughout the world?

Probably from watching my father while I was growing up. My father often had many people come to him with their problems and he would help them and come up with solutions. Because of him, when I was really young I thought I wanted to be a medical doctor so I could help everybody.

My mother was also influential. She had a wide vision. Once when I was visiting from Vienna she had just purchased a new car. I was going to visit a colony, and I didn’t have a car, so I was going to rent one. Then my mother said, "Why don’t you use the new car?" I told her, "I thought you would like to take the new car to the temple today." She said, "Serving these people is serving God. You take it." I will never forget that. She had so much compassion.

The micro loan program that you have established among the leprosy-affected people is wonderful. How did you come up with the idea to implement a welfare committee and other important elements of the micro loan program to make it work among the leprosy-affected?

That is another question I get all the time. I am sure God must have put it in my head. I have no other answer. Twenty-five years ago no one really talked about giving loans to beggars. Today, I am very pleased because the funds that were initially given to the colonies are still in place. The money is going a long way. The leprosy-affected people themselves are managing the whole operation.

Would you say the women or men are better at the micro loan program and why?

The women are definitely better. They understand that if they don’t repay, then they don’t get more funding. The women Self Help Group (SHG) has really empowered them. Once they gained economic power the men started respecting them. Women are more responsible: they use their income for education of children and to improve the health of the family.

What can someone like me do to help the micro lending program?

Every one of us can lend a helping hand to lift others from poverty and degradation. What they need is an opportunity, not sympathy. They need training in economic activities, financial support to start a business and marketing facility for the finished products.

Most important is to spread awareness among the public that leprosy is not contagious: it is curable. The affected people should be integrated into the mainstream.