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Citi Employees Share Sun, Surf, and Smiles with Elderly Patients |
It's unlikely that any of the 56 elderly men and women suffering from Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, will ever forget how Citi Pakistan employees made a day at the beach a day to remember.
In commemoration of their annual Volunteer Day, 22 Citi employees organized and financed a beach trip for all the residents of Ittehad Manzil, a residential facility run by the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre at Manghopir Karachi.
"Because of the disabling deformities associated with this disease, victims are often shunned by communities," said Citi Pakistan Public Affairs Officer Aine Imran Shah. "Many of the residents of Ittehad Manzil have not seen their families for years. The Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre is the largest NGO working in the field in Pakistan. The organization offers free treatment for patients in 157 centres around the country as well as social and financial aid.
"Our employees chose to visit residents of Ittehad Manzil, which houses 56 mostly elderly persons who have been treated for leprosy and are non-infectious, but, due to deformities, have been forsaken by their families and friends," said Shah. "While medical care, medication and shelter is provided, the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center does not have the funds to support activities like excursions and that is where we came in!
"You cannot imagine what a wonderful job this organization is doing," she said. "The patients are well looked after and comfortable."
Shah warmly recounted how much the patients enjoyed visiting the beach and sharing companionship and a picnic with the Citi volunteers.
Said one volunteer, "I must admit seeing people with so many disabilities is initially unnerving, but as you talk to them and eat with them and laugh with them you realize how inane your prejudices are. How wonderful it is to be able to bring some cheer into the lives of such brave individuals."
Dr. Ruth Pfau, the pioneering founder of the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center in Pakistan, said, "Providing basic care is not always enough. Just like the rest of us, our patients love a day off with their friends. Unfortunately, we just don't have the funds to accommodate such activities. By taking time out to plan and arrange the beach trip and by actually accompanying us, Citibank's volunteers have done more good than they can possibly know."
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