Children of those with leprosy face significant barriers in attaining an education. Although healthy themselves, they are stigmatized and turned away from schools because of their connection to the disease. They also very likely have grown up in poverty, putting access to a quality education out of their reach.

Without a good education, children have few choices other than continuing to live in the colonies and ultimately raising their own families there as well. It is our hope that educational assistance will give these children more career opportunities, thereby helping them integrate into mainstream society and breaking the perpetuation of colony life that otherwise could exist for generations to come.

While our initial focus was helping patients afflicted with this dreadful disease, Joe’s wife Pat helped us expand our vision. Pat recognized the children in the villages, who do not have the disease themselves, also are a group in need. Through after-school tutoring and participation in our Little Lights program, the children and grandchildren of leprosy patients have been excelling in school, and many have plans to attend college. These children are creating a more promising future for themselves, and consequently, for India.