Wanting to do more

By Angela Gonzalez

Komal hunched down on the ground, scooting nearer to the fire. Her hands reached up, soaking up the warmth. Her eyes crinkled from her smile as she looked toward her new friend Ashsta, who was asking her questions about her life. 

Komal, 17, has lived in leprosy colonies all her life despite not having leprosy. In India, having leprosy comes with many stigmas, leaving those with the disease as outcasts. People avoid them and force them from their homes, all because they’re afraid they might “catch” leprosy.

And all of this affects Komal. She has hardly any friends her own age. At school she was bullied for having parents with leprosy. She was eventually cut from school because she had too many absences. She was too busy at home helping her mom when her hands were in so much pain she couldn’t use them.

At times Komal has felt upset about her life. She wishes she could have finished school, that her father wouldn’t have to beg or that she had more friends. Even still, telling Ashta about her life, Komal made sure Ashsta knew how much she loved her family. How she wasn’t looking forward to leaving home once she married. How her life can and should still be seen as normal.

I sat by the fire, amazed at all the things this girl was saying. How could someone still find happiness and have a life like this? How many other people deal with similar lives and are still happy? 

Suddenly all the complaints I’ve made in my life seemed like nothing. I still believe that it is okay for me to feel upset about things in life — every person deals with hard times — but I couldn’t help but feel stupid for the times I’ve been jealous of one friend not spending enough time with me. At least I have friends and they love me. Or when my mom makes me dinner I don’t want to eat and I get upset — at least I don’t have to rely on donations for food, or, like those on the streets of India, worry when I will eat next. 

All of these thoughts swam in my head. 

It made me feel so grateful for the life I have, but it also made me feel moved to do something more. All these stories that we’ve found in India have characters who have dealt with something difficult. They were stories meant to be shared. Being on Textura has given me an opportunity to do something for these wonderful people, and it’s all shown me I can always do more. 

Now as I go back home, I feel the need to help. For now, all I can do is donate, but in the future, I want to do more. Maybe go back to Titram to help clean, continue to learn about leprosy in the world and help spread the truth about it or maybe just go back and be a friend. There are so many ways I can help this world and I can’t wait to see what I can do.