For more information about leprosy, I’d recommend either of the following articles: “Leprosy: India’s hidden disease” and/or “The hidden suffering of India’s lepers.”

The colony kept cows for milk. They also had a large community kitchen for large meals. Once in a while, a wealthy Indian family will provide food for a meal as an offering, perhaps for a child’s birthday or such. When that happens, the community comes together to prepare and share the food.

This was the president of the colony.

At one point, the colony had a large chicken house. It was a great source of income for the community. Sadly, the fear brought on during the swine flu epidemic caused a panic in the surrounding neighborhoods. A group came with a large bulldozer during the night and destroyed the back wall of the house and burned the chickens inside. The colony has yet to find the funds to replace the chickens and begin again.

Joseph has begun and maintained a school for the children stuck in this colony. He and his wife have thrown themselves a hundred percent into teaching these children.