Our interaction with Pradip
By an Asraya volunteer

As we were finishing our tasks for the day a staff- nurse entered and asked us whether we could help Pradip a boy in the general ward. We wound up our work in the office and went to the 3rd floor general ward. When we saw him that day in June 2009, he was a 15 year old boy. He had passed the 10th std and had started his 11th.

He told us his heart breaking story. His father who had been a mahout was killed by an elephant in2007. His mother who had been the sole bread winner became completely paralyzed a year later. It was during early 2009 that Pradip felt an intense pain in his shoulder. Not having anyone to confide in, he bore the pain stoically till it became unbearable. Finally he came to the RCC. Pradip’s troubles were just beginning. He was undergoing his 1st set of chemo for a huge tumor on a shoulder . Being considered a burden by his extended family he had no one to care for him. Chemo did not work and the pain being unbearable, he was given morphine along with other pain-killers. His arm had to be amputated. From that day Asraya adopted him as one of their family. On the morning of his operation on Oct 10th there was a queue of Asraya aunties waiting to hold his hand and to reassure him that he would be okay.

Asarya was with him through his ordeal. The day after the amputation he was all smiles informing us that the operation had been painless.

After discharge from the ward we took him to an accommodation run by a trust. Pradip continued his treatment. He was provided free food and lodging and received a lot of affection from the warden and the inmates. As the trauma of realization that he had lost an arm set in he became depressed. At his request we bought him an ipod.

Pradip finished his treatment by April 2010. It was time for him to return to his home in Trichur district. This gave rise to fresh anxiety as he felt that he would not be accepted by his friends and family without the arm. Asraya helped him to attain a prosthesis Then he agreed to go back home. We continue to be in touch with him. Now in his 12th standard he is looking forward to topping his class.

Thus we face the challenges of carrying the daily burdens of others and together Asraya as a team of friends move on endeavoring to make the world a better place for all. Thank you for your generous donations which help us to wipe away tears of sorrow and despair. May GOD BLESS YOU for your compassion and love for the poor suffering humanity.

Case history of Annie

Annie is the grandmother of Joseph, an 8 year old boy. After Joseph’s mother had lost her husband she became mentally unfit to care for their three children who were 11,9 and 8 years old at that time. Annie started running a small business to help her only daughter look after her three fatherless kids. Last year the youngest , Joseph was diagnosed with blood cancer .Joseph’s mother was unable to understand the seriousness of her son’s illness and to abide by the doctor’s directions. So, even though the grandmother Annie was the sole bread-winner of the family; she had to rent out her business for a very small amount. Joseph had to stay in Trivandrum for the course of the treatment . In the meantime Annie also was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she had to have surgery. Asraya helped with the money for both Annie’s and Joseph’s treatment. They stayed at one of the low cost accommodations run by one of our volunteers. We supported her through the entire treatment. Now that the treatment is over Asraya has helped Annie restart her business -a rice mill . The Education of one of the three boys is also funded by Asraya. We are delighted that, Annie and her daughter and the children consider the volunteers of Asraya as their friends.

Case history of Rajiv.

Rajiv is a patient who had been diagnosed with blood cancer.. He had been working as a driver After the treatment he was unable to find any employment due to his illness. After he had recovered from his illness we asked him how we could help him to find employment. He told us that if he had an auto-rickshaw either he or his wife could ride it and support themselves. We gave him the vehicle and at present both of them are independent financially. Rajiv phoned us up to tell us how thankful he was to Asraya for giving them a livelihood.

Case history of Nagendran and wife.

Both of them were running a Dance School. Nagendran was diagnosed with Blood Cancer and was admitted into RCC. We helped him purchase his medicines. His wife looked after him and their only son was being cared for by his sister. Later Nagendran’s wife also was diagnosed with Cancer. Nagendran has passed away. Asraya is looking after the treatment of Nagendran’s wife . We are also sending financial help for their son.