Five of the elderly people at Bramapuri leprosy colony that get old-age support from IM-SOIR. From the top: Mrs Gunda Devi, Mr Hira Singh, Mrs Gaina Devi and Mrs Pyunli Devi.
The main aim of the society is to give people affected by leprosy a way of rehabilitation through productive work. Hand-weaving is seen as the most physically suitable work for the leprosy affected in their particular set-up. K.K.M produce weaved carpets, table cloths, baby carriers, bed sheets and more of wool and cotton. Also bags and papper products is produced. The dye their cotton and wool by themselves with azo free dyes. These products is sold in IM-SOIR own fair trade stores in Sweden.
1962 started the german lady Agnes Kunze hand spinning in small scale to help the leprosy affected in the first leprosy colony, Kripaon Ki Mata so they could earn some money to manage. A work hall with spinning wheels, looms and other necessary equipment was installed. The word was spread that leprosy affected could get both work and shelter in a place in Dheradun. The request from leprosy affected that got treatment in hospitals and got rejected from their families and former home villages to come and live and work at the colony was increasing for K.K.M. 1971 two other colony's started to work in the same manner as the first colony, one in Dheradun and one In Brahmapuri. A federation society of workers under the name K.K.M (Kuru Kshetr Mandal) Hand weaving society was registered.
K.K.M has about 20 board management members that meets once or twice a year, Under K.K.M there is four groups and each one of them elect a group leader and workshop manager which meets the general management for the society minimum twice a month to plan the production and solve problems.
Leprosy colonies have not existed in Sweden since 1947, i.e. not during my life time. For me as a young swede it can seem a little bit odd to put people affected by a disease in a colony, that a colony would increase the alienation that the disease brings. The people does does not even have the disease after being treated. But with the stigma that leprosy brings it still have it´s place here. It can be difficult for people with leprosy to get a job, education and get married in India. Leprosy is decreasing in India but the official number is still about 0.88 cases per 10.000 (2006, WHO). The colonies provides a package with housing, food and job which enable the people to get a job and an occupational skill so they can support themselves.
The gate for Bramapuri leprosy center, the weaving hall, the wool gets washed and dyed and dyed cotton hanging to get dry.
Bramapuri leprosy Rehabilitation center is one of the four groups in K.K.M society that I have been visited this weekend, I will give you two life storys from there!
Photos and text by Lilian
No comments:
Post a Comment