Monday we loaded up in the bus and headed to the Children of Lepers Home. Little Lights is home to 33 Children whose parents & or grandparents live in the leper colony. The vision of the staff is to see the lives & futures of the kids transformed. They want to break the cycle of generations that have no other way but to stay in the colonies. It was touching to hear how committed the staff are to keeping the kids very connected with their parents and families. They spend holidays with them & the parents visit regularly. Living at Little lights allows the children to get a good education, brings them into a safe place and breaks the stigma that society puts on them as children of lepers.
Joe was a toddler when the staff found him in the leper colony. He was tied with a rope around his wast to a tree. On the ground beside him there were 2 bowls–one for water, and one for food. His parents left him tied to the tree each day when they went out to beg.
By living at Little Lights Joe is able to play, go to school and grow up as a healthy child.
The team presented a puppet show, gave out T-shirts, and spent time helping the kids decorate them!
Check back tomorrow for another report from Chennai!
