Temple in the city

Ruckmani, the cook at Jacob’s, prepares around 2,500 meals a week for the Outreach Team. The residents at the Care Centre clean the rice, help prepare the vegetables, and pack the food to go out.

Sekar and Robert, sometimes with Viji or one or two of the residents, go out each day to a temple in the city which is near the free Government Hospital. Only the poorest members of society use this basic hospital, there are many other private clinics and hospitals available to those who are able to pay. The hospital expects patients to be accompanied by a friend or family member, to stay with and to care for them, and to go out to buy medicine and food as required. It is often the case that it is the breadwinner who is either admitted or has to stay at the hospital. If the family were living in poverty before, the illness or accident can mean they are quite simply destitute, and the free meals they collect from the temple are an enormous help.