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| Judeson, Sehiyon Food Centre, Kochi |
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As a driver at the Cochin Urban Leprosy Treatment and Education Scheme (CULTES) for 15 years, Judeson always had a soft corner for leprosy patients. 7 years ago, he was asked to bring an old patient from her home where she was a virtual prisoner. What he saw at the house astounded Judeson.
“A completely naked and emaciated old lady was lying on the floor, wallowing in dirt. The wound on her leg had worms wriggling out of it.” As the woman’s daughter just threw a cloth to cover her, Judeson lifted her and brought her out to face sunlight after so many years. With a trembling voice she said, “You are great. You could touch this stinking body. No one else had such compassion for me. You will scale greater heights.”
That incident was a turning point in his life. He decided to dedicate his life to wipe tears and feed empty stomachs. Thus, starting from his CULTES quarters in 1997, Judeson started distributing food packets to the needy. The effort soon touched a chord in the hearts of neighbours and voluntary workers and helped him start Food Centres.
Sehiyon Food Centres, as they are called, feed any poor visitor on the premises one meal everyday free of cost. Such centres have now spread to atleast 8 other places in Kochi. While food is served in Sehiyon during all other days, on Sundays about 750 food packets are distributed to the needy.
On the occasion of the 5th anniversary, the Centre started a Mobile Bath programme to give instant bath to the vagabonds found in the streets. Later such persons are led to rehabilitation centres.
For 15 years, Judeson has been bathing leprosy patients with bare hands. His faith in the immunity stems from a greater faith in the Illimitable Power. “This is a task that God has entrusted to me. Nothing untoward will happen from this,” he says.
Courtesy:
Sumitra Satyan,
Vanitha, July 15-31, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
