Titagarh: MC Leprosy Center

Thursdays are usually a day off for volunteers (good thing today because it rained more than usual), but Nik, Marissa, and I signed up to visit Titagarh, the Missionaries of Charity Leprosy Center. It proved well worth the trek through the rain.

To get to the center, we had an hour-long bus ride. It was nice to see more parts of the city without having to dodge cars, bikes, and rickshaws as I walked.

When we got to the center, it was a nice surprise to find out that we actually were not volunteering, just visiting! The patients are pretty self-sufficient, and the staff encourages them to support each other as much as they can by doing chores themselves. The MC brothers run this facility and were nice enough to give us a tour. To get to the main center, we had to cross a few rail road tracks, but then found a place that had way more going on than I ever expected.

First, we passed through the daycare / school run through the center. The kids that attend school there are children of patients or former patients. Many of the former patients stay and work within the facility, so they provide elementary schooling and daycare for their children. I thought this was awesome because it shows how sustainable and long term the support is that the MC provide.

As we walked in the classroom, the kids immediate started saying "good morning!" as if freshly rehearsed. They then sang us a few songs in Bengali, English, and even Italian! They were just precious. They ranged from infants in the daycare to I would say 10 or 11 in school. As we left they all shook our hands (multiple times) and yelled "good bye!" So cute!!

After the kids, we saw the patients. This experience was stunning to me; the patients were so joyful! My perception of leprosy was tainted by the fact that so many people fear it and there is a huge stigma against it. I thought the patients would be miserable... but they were the exact opposite! All of them sat up as we came in and bowed to each one of us (45 total) and said "Namaste!" with a smile! We saw both the women and men's wards as well as the "Mercy Home" for those expected to die in the facility. Believe it or not, even they were joyful! Probably the most cheerful of all the patients actually. For those who expect to be cured, it can take 6 months to 5 years, depending on the severity.

We then made our way to wound care where the patients got their dressings changed. A lot of patients had missing limbs that needed bandaging everyday, and it was so cool to see former patients doing the care! Their level of compassion I am sure far outstrips any level I could have simply by their ability to relate and understand. As I watched them change bandages for a while, I wondered where they got all their supplies because they go through A LOT of dressings a day.

And then we moved to the looms.

In this room, we saw former patients working several looms to make all the cloths for clothes, bedding, and the bandages! This place was so self-sustaining; it was awesome to see! Not only were they making supplies for the hospital, we also saw them making habits for the MC sisters. This really spoke to the humility of the sisters and the sense of community they create. Their very saris are made from the patients they serve. They are clothed with the fruit of their labor! The whole time, seeing all those huge looms and spools, I felt like I was on "How it's made: India edition"

The center also had a place where they made custom shoes for their patients (after they get amputations). They also made prosthetic limbs on site and sift through rice for their own meals. I loved seeing how the patients not only realized their human dignity by proper care for their illness, but also dignity of work. They are able to make a living and work despite lost limbs. The MC really proved to me their dedication to the dignity of the whole person today.

Ashley's Indian food consumption update: I had buttered naan and alu gabi. Naan is a pita bread looking thing and alu gabi is a potato and cauliflower dish that is a little spicy. It was super good!