Ruth Pfau and her leprosy centre






Dr Ruth Pfau came to a land, far away from her home in Germany, in 1960. And since then she has spent 50 years of her life,serving people, in a strange land, people who don't speak her language, who don't look like her, and who are shunned by the world for their suffering. But she learned their language, and she accepted them, making the world accept them.
On a visit to Mary Adeleide Leprsoy Center, we visited her home as well,which is in fact within the center. There is her room, a shelf with some books and a frame of her parents picture, and chirping birds. She has lived here for the past 50 years.
How does one do that? Make home in a strange land. Tirelessly remain in servitude to humanity for so long. I wonder if she ever gets tired. I wonder how has she managed to do what she does. I wonder
how did she have the heart to give up a life of ease at such a young age and never regret it.
When I think for an answer to these questions, I'm reminded of her speech that she gave at a recent convocation ceremony at my school. She told us, that once we become doctors and will be able to bring a smile to a single patient we will understand that at the end of the day, that is the calling. To be able to ease the suffering of someone is the gift. And we would never want to stop doing it.

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