How We Serve
We provide holistic care through spiritual, medical, nutritional, and educational programs
Spiritual
Medical
Nutritional
Educational
Every Week
Care is provided in four crucial ways.
Good News
Every week, a message of God’s love and hope is shared in numerous leprosy colonies across the state of Tamil Nadu.
Small Group Gatherings
Every week, through small-group gatherings, our local outreach leaders encourage colony residents to experience the personal touch of God’s unfailing love through supportive conversations, shared study, and uplifting times of reflection and worship.
Medical Care
Every week,our team in India provides medical care for all leprosy patients. They treat wounds & infections. They make arrangements & financial provision for surgeries.They provide 24/7 hospice care for leprosy patients who are no longer able to care for themselves.
Little Lights Program
Every week, Monday through Friday, children of individuals affected by leprosy receive after-school tutoring and character-building guidance through the Little Lights Program. These students, from kindergarten through high school, are provided nutritious dinners and the opportunity to become a hopeful, prepared next generation in India.
Every Month
Rice is distributed to various colonies EAV serves. Custom footwear is also provided for leprosy patients to prevent further infection and trauma.
Always
In addition to all of this, Team EAV – USA provides prayer, encouragement, administrative, and financial support to help advance this mission.
Spiritual
The stigma surrounding leprosy often keeps those affected—and their families—from seeking encouragement and community support. We are honored to welcome all to our weekly worship services and small-group gatherings for reflection and study.
Miracles Are A Way Of Life.
Jay was on death’s door when he arrived at our hospice, but he made a remarkable recovery and went on to faithfully serve as our worship leader. The services he helped lead were deeply meaningful, and many people shared that—even through the hardship of leprosy—they found renewed faith, purpose, and hope.
Medical
WOUND AND ULCER CARE
Our teams administer weekly medical care to residents in the colonies and provide financial provisions for surgeries. Residents eagerly anticipate the arrival of our teams, particularly during the rainy season when muddy conditions can irritate their wounds and lead to infections. We also supply patients with bandages and educate them on how they can keep their wounds clean at home in between visits from our teams.
SHOES
Leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae which leads to nerve damage and loss of sensation. A person who has contracted the disease cannot feel pain and is at risk of injury and infection, particularly in the extremities. It is pretty common for those with leprosy to have wounded and disfigured feet, and if left untreated, amputation may become necessary.
Our on-staff shoemaker provides our patients with special shoes to prevent further trauma and infection to their feet. Shoes are handmade and customized to meet the specific needs of the individual patient.
HOSPICE
When older people contract leprosy, it can be particularly heartbreaking. Many do not have family—or have been rejected by their relatives. They are left feeling hopeless and unable to care for themselves. Our hospice center in Coimbatore provides care to these individuals. Once left to die alone, many at our hospice center begin to thrive. It is here that many discover renewed faith and a deeper connection with God, allowing them to live their final years with peace, dignity, and fulfillment.
As their spirits are healed, so are their bodies. Whether receiving treatment within the colonies or at our hospice center, their faith and alleviated physical symptoms allow the people we serve to enjoy a higher standard of living.
Nutritional
Nutritional Programs
Food and nutritional education programs play a critical role. We provide a healthy meal for all the children who attend our after-school tutoring – this is often the only meal they will eat all day. We also offer a two-week rice supply to families we serve to help supplement their monthly groceries.
Educational
Education offers a pathway out of poverty.
When families are ostracized from society, it’s no surprise that a child’s education and prospects for the future suffer. Without a good education, they often continue living in the colonies and feel stuck in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness. We dream for the children we work with to have better opportunities to integrate into mainstream society and pursue their passions!
After-school tutoring plays a key role.
Embrace a Village provides after-school tutoring for two hours a day, five days a week – this is available to all children throughout the colonies we serve. More than 180 students take advantage of our tutoring programs. We work with them to improve their grades, academic outlook, and sense of self-worth. This is a powerful message for these particular children.