With in reach

Despite being disabled, either physically or emotionally, these people are taught to stand on their own. Here, the members of this unique village work towards self-sufficiency. People without complete hands and feet work on handlooms to produce cloth-bags and sheets, stitch leather to make chappals, feed mulberry leaves to silkworms for their precious cocoons. Cooking, tailoring, farming, and even painting are all done on their own.

This village, started in 1965, is home to these individuals in more ways than one. For not only are these leprosy-afflicted persons taught to become self-reliant, they have also had marriages arranged here, had children, some of whom even work at the Jeevan Shiksha Vidya School, within the premises, as teachers. Anand Gram lacks the decrepit-look such homes generally have. It has been freshly-painted and the members look happy.

Says Jay Kadapatti, who has now taken over its management from an indisposed Patwardhan, 8220;People expect this place to be dilapidated and worn-out because it is run on donations and government aid. So when they see it looking fairly good, they feel all is well. But that is not the case8221;.

The freshly-painted tenements cover up the worn-out structure, like the tin roofs that overlay the dining hall. These were made years ago 8211; with tin from packaging boxes 8211; and now have holes that leak during the rains. Says Kadapatti, 8220;It has been six months now that we have not received funds from the government. They pay us Rs. 450 per patient per month. This, alongwith donations, barely suffices.quot; But despite low funds, work at Anand Gram continues. Families here get dry ration, with Rs. 200 for expenses, while others eat at the common mess and are paid according to the work they do.