Difference between those who care and those who don’t

“What matters today is not the difference between those who believe and those who don't, but the difference between those who care and those who don’t.”

Award participants from Bawa Lalvani Public School, Kapurthala visited and offered their services at the Kusht Ashram (Leprosy Home) in Kapurthala on 20th January 2017. Below is a report from Ms. Ekta Dhawan, Principal, Bawa Lalvani Public School, Kapurthala.

The aim of the IAYP programme is to ‘equip youth for life’. Young people, through this project, work with socially and economically disadvantaged people or people with physical disabilities through activities of the Award Programme. Association through these activities encourages independence, inter-dependence and self-helpamong socially isolated people.

To sensitize the students about the people suffering from leprosy and to boost the morale of the patients and their families, BLPS organised a visit to Kusht Ashram, Kapurthala for Award participants. The staff of the Ashram introduced them to the patients and their families. The participants had healthy conversations with the patients and their families and had a first-hand knowledge of their experiences and lives of people with leprosy.

The Award participants, along with their mentors and parents, have made volunteering for Kusht Ashram a part of their Social Service experience. Parents have helped in preparing the lunch boxes, articles of daily needs (comb, soap, toothbrush) and financial help. The participants, along with teachers, offered help for daily grooming, such as changing their clothes, combing their hair and cutting the nails of physically disabled people and cleaning their surroundings. The participants purchased food items for the patients. This contribution meant a lot to the inmates of the leprosy home.

Medical treatment has brought leprosy under control everywhere in the world but there is still deep-rooted discrimination against those affected by this disease. The Award participants have pledged to serve them in their struggle and to truly overcome such discrimination.

As a weekly affair, the Award participants have decided to enthusiastically participate in the collection for these victims of leprosy. Through this, the participants learn to care of others and understand the importance of contributing to one’s community. It gives them an opportunity to change lives, perhaps even their own, and understand what it means to 'equip for life.'