Anand and his wife Thankam* had come to a government leprosy rehabilitation home in Tamil Nadu several years ago. They met and got married there. They have a son, Pratheesh* who studies in class VIII at the government school in the town.

Thankam got affected by leprosy at the age of 26 and developed clawed hands. After consulting the primary health centre and completing the treatment from the nearest government hospital, she had arrived at the rehab home.

Along with a few others, Anand and Thankam had come out of the rehabilitation home sixteen years ago and made their hut beside the nearby highway to start an independent life of their own.

Seeking alms, collecting and selling firewood and the like sustained them initially. In due course, along with the others they moved to the small place alloted to them by the govermnet, up on constant request. They built a better hut in the new space and sought ways making their own living including rearing goats. People of the colony and nearby villages used to seek Anand’s help for getting their dress stitched. In mid sixties, his declining vision has affected the family income. He helps his wife who is very industrious too.

The Leprosy Mission's (TLM) community project staff had identified the colony and began to help them establish themselves. TLM along with equal partnership by the government introduced puca houses to the colony dwellers under the Low-cost housing scheme. The project helped them to access all the available benefits.

Now with a disability status certified as 60%, they both get a government pension of Rs.400 each. They also could acquire the National Disability Identity Card, Social Security Card, bus and train passes with concessions.

Thankam in her late forties, no more had enough strength to hold on to the ropes of the goats she was rearing. She decided to switch over to cows. A cow of a reasonably good breed costs around Rs.20,000. Adding the sale proceeds of the goats to a bank loan, she could buy a cow to start with. Now they own two cows - one milking and the other will be ready shortly. She is planning to develop her cattle rearing for better earning.

Talking about the new house they got through TLM’s low-cost housing scheme, and narrating the benefits , her joy had no bounds. The new house has a role in everything in addition to staying safe. Every year they had to find about Rs.5,000 to maintain the palm-leave roof of the hut. Even when she found the money, it was almost impossible to get workers due to fear of leprosy. Twice the huts got fire and consumed everything including the straw stocked to feed the cows.

There is no stigma in the village! The local milk society’s vendor comes to the village for collecting milk. The new RCC house brought respect in the community around and changed their perspective towards life. Thankam participates in every developmental activity in the village - laying cement roads, getting water well and taps, electric connections and street lights for the village, involving in self-care programmes, and MCR Assessments. As she deserves, Thankam is also a member of the District differently- abled people’s federation.

Along with Anand and Thankam there are 25 more families who are proud owners of decent and strong houses of their own, that stand against sun and rain. They are grateful to TLM and the community based rehabilitation project for what it meant to them.

* Names preserved

Philipose Vaidyar

Read more about TLM at: http://tlmindia.org