Reader comments
Leprosy colony: Art defies stigma

Linda Arnold | 3:28 a.m. June 20, 2008

This is a wonderful charity that truly changes lives. Please consider making a donation to Rising Star Outreach, 6241 Indian River Drive, Norcross, GA
30092-1350. I understand they need USB flash drives. They can also be sent to the above adddress.
Thank You.
Linda Arnold
Whittier, CA

tll | 4:21 a.m. June 20, 2008

Amazing what a little kindness, encouragement, compassion, and funds can do to help others in their sometimes painful walk through life. Keep up the good work!

Doodles | 7:00 a.m. June 20, 2008

Absolutly FABULOUS what can be accomplished with determination and kindness. This is a great story, great project, great idea, life changing reading.

Comments continue below

Linda Shattuck | 8:03 a.m. June 20, 2008

Rising Star Outreach is an organization with heart and class. My daughter returns tonight after serving in India in the colonies and in the school set up for children whose lives have been affected by leprosy. She reports that there is a spirit of love and unity amongst the teachers, children and volunteers. She has visited the colonies and the art school personally, and she describes it as magical! I can't wait to see the painting she purchased. One of the people at the Art School said her one purchase, feed the entire school for days! I will be pleased to display this beautiful painting in my home and to continue to support this very worthy organization that treats leprosy affected families with the respect and honor they deserve. God bless you Becky Douglas, and all who serve with you. You are an amazing and compassionate woman. Thank you for all you do with Padma, Amy, Tagg and others in India. Thank you especially for the "Summer of Service" for my daughter. What a great service learning experience. I recommend it highly to anyone! See you tonight at the art show!

My2Cents | 10:12 a.m. June 20, 2008

Leprosy is completely curable. It is shameful and outrageous that India spends over 30 billion a year in military expenditures, but will not provide medicines to cure it's own people. Unbelievable!!

SLC gal | 11:04 a.m. June 20, 2008

What an inspiring article!!

It IS the wrath of God | 2:48 p.m. June 20, 2008

Maybe it is his Wrath. We are no one to speculate. India has many problems like this. Non caring, Non loving...isn't this what evil is?

I'm Outraged | 2:54 p.m. June 20, 2008

Why are there still people with leprosy in the world. There has been a cure for the disease for over 50 years. Why isn't somebody giving them medicine to cure their disease instead of giving them a paint brush?

segolily | 4:43 p.m. June 20, 2008

If more people signed the declaration of intent at the Worldwide United Foundation website, leprosy and all such illnesses, poverty, war, hatred, bigotry, prejudice, hunger, homelessness and every manner of misery beset upon humans most often by other humans could become a non-existent thing of the past.

Technological and economic advances in our world make it entirely possible for all the world's people to live a decent existence. The only thing lacking is the good will of people for ALL other people.

BluePete | 5:53 p.m. June 20, 2008

Every time I have spoken with Becky (hundreds or thousands of times over decades of time), I always come away feeling inspired. She's really the most warm-hearted person you'll likely ever meet. God bless Becky and your efforts.

awesomeron | 9:37 p.m. June 20, 2008

In Hawaii, we still have a few people left in the Leper Settlement. They have given it some PC name now which I can't remember. However its the Leper Settlement. They can come and go as they please. In the United States they receive real good care. Medical, Food Stamps, WIC, Housing, Disability etc. However they still have the Leprosy, most would give anything not to have that. Like all Stigmas, it is less of a Stigma here. I am glad this project got started and is on going. It is a very good thing when you can help people help them selfï¿½s.

Hawaiian Supaman | 11:48 p.m. June 20, 2008

Not a lot of people know that there was a leper colony here in Utah, near Skull Vally, just after the turn of the century nearby the Hawaiian colony of Iosepa. The people in the leper colony would raise a flag when they needed something, and someone from Iosepa ("Jospeh" in Hawaiian, named after Joseph F. Smith, who served a mission in Hawaii) would deliver the goods needed to them.

Lucille Ridd | 11:52 p.m. June 20, 2008

We have had several family members serve with Becky Peterson Douglas in the Rising Star Outreach.

They do so at their own expense.
They come home exhilerated because they have helped some of the worlds most downtrodden.

Shaun Parry | 8:56 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

For those of you with disparaging remarks, I would exhort you to go; see with your own eyes and touch with your own hands and feel with your own heart. Leprosy is not "curable"--it is stoppable. What-- Do you think they will grow their appendages back? No, we cannot change the past, but we can make the present more bearable and we can ignite ambition where there once was no hope. As the Founder and President of Promethean Spark I teach these leprosy patients and the leprosy affected children dance, singing and drumming classes and as they work hard to discipline in a nurturing environment of joy, they find for themselves that they too can accomplish things of worth, they can create beauty in this harsh world through their own efforts. The change in their eyes tells all. www.PrometheanSpark.org We have joined hands with Rising Star Outreach and have the utmost respect and love for Becky and all involved. God Bless.

Shaun Parry | 9:01 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

For those of you with disparaging remarks, I would exhort you to go; see with your own eyes and touch with your own hands and feel with your own heart. Leprosy is not "curable"--it is stoppable. What-- Do you think they will grow their appendages back? No, we cannot change the past, but we can make the present more bearable and we can ignite ambition where there once was no hope. As the Founder and President of Promethean Spark I teach these leprosy patients and the leprosy affected children dance, singing and drumming classes. As they work hard to discipline in a nurturing environment of joy, they find for themselves that they too can accomplish things of worth, they can create beauty in this harsh world through their own efforts. Their smiles and the change in their eyes tells all. We have joined hands with Rising Star Outreach on a glorious quest and have the utmost respect and love for Becky and all involved. God Bless.

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4 photos

Rising Star Outreach

Werner Dornik, founder of the Bindu Art School in southern India, works with elderly students of the school. Before the art school was begun in 2003, most of the colony's old people were "waiting to die," says Becky Douglas, a former Salt Lake resident whose nonprofit Rising Star Outreach oversees the school.

Gallery (4 photos)