Notes from the Field: India, Summer 2001 - In Focus

Part Two: A glimpse at Kalighat, a home for the dying

Text and images by members of Team India

Karyn Feid ’02 comforted one of the women of Kalighat. As is common with many of the patients there, she has no family outside of the home and is desperately in need of love and acceptance. We have found that most of the patients respond very well to the kind of special attention that we are able to offer. "I don't know this woman's name," said Feid. "We only know that she is blinded by cataracts and is bedridden. But, I know she has a beautiful smile and a soft touch, as we sit an hold each other and rock on her bed. When I sing softly in her ear, I know I am singing to Jesus. Kalighat has a peaceful feeling and it's a very fulfilling time when I spend a morning there!"

Karyn Feid embraces one of the woman of Kalighat. The woman has a look of happiness on her face as she returns the embrace.

Jonathan Oliva sits on Captain's bed reaching out to touch his face. Captain's arm rests at his side as he stares intently at the camera.

Jonathan Oliva ’02 quickly formed a tight bond with this man, whom he endearingly refers to as "Captain." He has a difficult time communicating, but over the course of several days we were able to figure out that he was a captain of a small ship at some time in his life. It is the highlight of Jonathan's day to spend time with Captain. Jonathan is particularly gifted with patience and gentleness as he moves from bed to bed providing physical therapy to each patient. He is sure to save Captain for last so that he can spend some quality time with him.

"At first I was afraid of Kalighat, but now I can't think of being anywhere else," said Carissa Raisbeck ’02. "Although the women there are fragile and slowly dying, they are the most beautiful women I've ever seen! In the midst of their pain they always manage to return my smiles. It's hard to look at them and know they are in their finals stages of death. I am slowly beginning to understand Jesus' deep and profound love. He loves them all so much, yet at the same time it must break his heart to watch them suffer. The women at Kalighat are just like you and I. We are all desperately in need of love and hope. God is definitely at work in Kalighat, and also in my heart."

Carissa Raisbeck kneels and touches the arm of one of the women. With her other hand she reaches behind her and rests her hand on another woman's shoulder.

Jay and Mahesh smile for the camera. Jay has one arm around Mahesh's shoulder, and holds his hand with the other.

Jay Haddix ’02 has enjoyed working day after day with this particular patient, Mahesh Crondro. He had suffered from a rather severe stroke. Jay has spent significant time each day working his left side, and already he has seen incredible improvement! Through this relationship Jay has learned a lot about determination and perseverance.

"I met ‘Rose’ my first day at Kalighat," said Lori Dunning ’02. "While walking past her cot I noticed her head buried in a damp pillow. I knelt down beside her, caressed her shaved head, and prayed over her. Rose turned her head toward me, grabbed my hand and began to talk about the miserable pain that she was in. I would respond in English as she spoke in Bengali. Despite the language barrier, there was a genuine understanding. Everyday after her lunch I massage Rose with oil as I sing her to sleep. It's truly amazing to see the peace of God comforting and bringing joy to those in pain."

Lori Dunning sits and smiles with her arm around Rose's shoulder.

Zak Davis sits on the ground and reaches out to a 12-year old boy with a cup of water and a plate of food. The boy lies on his stomach with his head on his pillow, looking up at the water and food.

"I've spent all of my time working at Kalighat," said Zak Davis. "Everyday is hard and always holds new challenges. However, the work is extremely rewarding and fulfilling. My favorite tasks are doing laundry, working with the long term volunteers, and helping out the patients. In this picture I am feeding a boy who is probably about 12 years old. He does not speak any languages, and often refuses to be helped. He has large gashes on the back of his head and suffers from seizures as well. We don't know his name. This boy's condition is unusual due to his severe mental impairment, and it has been exciting to watch him get better. This trip is amazing. Calcutta is challenging, but I love it. This experience is teaching me how to love on a whole new level."

"I would like to introduce you to Sabudi," said Daren Bachman ’89, director of the Office of Chapel Programs. "I was so excited to see him again, for you see, Sabudi was one of the patients that I grew closest to last year. He was discharged for a short time, but within four months he was brought back with a severe case of Tuberculosis. Sabudi has no family. He cried when I walked in my first day, because he was so happy to see a familiar face. Out of the many visitors that come to see patients at Kalighat, Sabudi had never had anyone come to see him. For me, Sabudi represents the hope of survival and joy amidst so much hardship. Sabudi loves Jesus with all his heart, and because he speaks English so well we have enjoyed many a theological discussion. Pray that Sabudi would recover from TB and be able to go on with his life as a witness for Christ."

Daren Bachman sits behind Sabudi with his arm on Sabudi's shoulder. Sadubi smiles warmly at the camera.

A student kneels down beside a man laying in his bed. The student is helping the man drink a glass of water.

"It is really profound to see how broken this man is physically, and also how broken I am spiritually," said Oliva. "We are just two broken people meeting together. We are trying to understand each other and trying to get to know one another in spite of the emotional and worldwide gap that seems to exist between us. ‘It is all in our Father's grace.’ (Eph. 1:4,6)"

Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3