My eyes were locked on Dr. Kumar as he told his story. It all started as a simple conversation to pass the time on the long ride to the different colonies. Somehow the conversation shifted to why he became a doctor. Dr. Kumar told a story of how he visited his dying grandfather every day in the hospital and realized that being a doctor could help save others from that kind of heartache. In India, anyone can be a doctor but few are given grants from the government. The top 1,000 students recieve a grant taking tuition from 200,000 to 200 dollars a year for medical school. Dr. Kumar recieved a 99.97% on his final test and still placed 247th. He is incredibly intelligent and had so much to teach us.
Our first stop was to a preschool where we needed to test some of the children for leprosy. These children were absolutely beautiful. None of them spoke english, but a smile was something they could understand. I couldn't believe as I looked at these children that Indian society had pushed them aside. They have parents afflicted with leprosy and therefore, are forgotten about. The world has no idea what they are missing out on. I am lucky to have met them and the hour I spent with them will leave an impression on me forever.
After we left the preschool, the medical van made its way to the leprosy colony where we washed the feet of those afflicted. I was in charge of diabetes testing, which meant I had to see each patient wince as we pricked their fingers. It's sad to see them in pain, but Dr. Kumar showed us all of the before and after pictures he has taken of their wounds and ulcers. It's incredible to see what kind of progress and healing has taken place due to the care he has given. When we dropped Dr. Kumar at his home afterwards, one of the coordinators talked to us about the kind of sacrifice Dr. Kumar has made to work for Rising Star. As an Indian doctor, he is going against all stigmas toward leprosy in society. He recieves standard doctor wages, but in the future will most likely be turned down for any other jobs he applies for. He is truly doing acts of service as he helps people that society has told him to forget.
Dr. Kumar said something today that really caught my attention and made an impression on me. He said, "Leprosy does not kill them. It kills thier self-esteem, family life, and everything else." I now know why it is so important that I am here serving these people. They are in physical pain, but my job here is to prove to them that they deserve to be loved. The world has pushed aside incredible individuals that I am honored to know. People will never know what they have missed out on, but I will.
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