Leprosy Centres

The Leprosy Centres comprise around 400 people who make up four separate but adjacent communities.

These communities are outside the city of Coimbatore and each is made up of families, couples and single people some of whom live in small block built accommodation built for them in the past by a religious charity, others living in palm leaf huts. Each of the four settlements has a community hall and a committee who oversee the welfare of the residents.

Some family members who live at the Centres have not suffered from leprosy (now called Hansen’s disease), and those who are able to work support their families as far as possible. However the stigma attached to leprosy still, and the distance from the city and jobs, make it extremely difficult for most of them to provide for themselves, so Jacob’s takes cooked rice and different types of sambar to the four communities in large vessels. A bell is rung at the Community Hall when the Outreach Team arrive, and the food is distributed to residents who assemble at the Hall. The community representatives also tell the Jacob’s team at this time if there are any other needs amongst the residents, such as clothing and blankets. We are also asked for other help occasionally, for instance financial assistance to enable a son or daughter to continue her studies to further education. This is the kind of situation we would consider favourably, so that the young people can have equal opportunities with their peers.

Since the Jacob’s team visit the project on a regular basis we can provide this kind of regular assistance, and check that any funds provided are being spent legitimately. Jacob’s pays fees and expenses as they are needed and keeps a regular check on the progress of the causes we support, we do not give money or grants and then walk away.