New to the job of a social worker at REACH, the exposure that came with work rendered me an assortment of experiences and learning’s. Every day brings new learnings.
Soiled shabby clothes, minimal belongings, absent walls and a roof portray Ettiyappan’s living condition with his wife, two daughters and a son. Working as construction workers, they occupy open spaces near their work sites.
Absolute innocence and ignorance written across their faces, this family didn’t seem to know they have a right to a better living. ‘’ Being cheated and deprived by our relatives, we flee our village to the city to earn a living. Back home we have a house and some agricultural land, but couldn’t live there with strained relationships around us” Ettiyappan explained.
The hard reality of this patient’s life didn’t seem fair to me. His son who has been working since childhood hasn’t grown to his age. His physical and mental growth does not match his age. His daughters don’t have the privacy they need. Basic human rights seem to be absent here.
Ettiyappan is regular with treatment and on his way to cure. Bringing DOTS to him makes me happy. I hope life gets better for him.
Kalaivani
REACH Blog Team