Ryder-Cheshire
Who we are | East Timor | India | Australia | Support us | Contact us | News
Raphael was founded by Leonard Cheshire and Sue Ryder at Dehra Dun in 1959, to relieve the suffering of the people of India who are ill, disabled, or destitute, without regard to age, race or religion.
Raphael is a large complex with a number of special residential components, caring for about three hundred people who have chronic disease and disability, and their children. This includes people with leprosy, TB, and a range of other physical and mental disabilities.
There is a permanent home for about one hundred people whose leprosy is no longer active, but who have been left with permanent disability. They are assisted to achieve a productive, self sufficient and fulfilling lifestyle.
Nearby is a hostel where the children of those with leprosy live, and where education and care are provided free of the stigma of their parents' disease. These children are now being integrated into the local school.
There is a residential home for people with mental and physical disabilities who will benefit from physiotherapy and vocational training, and a wing where those with more severe disabilities live and receive special care and attention.
For those seriously ill with TB there are twenty six residential beds. Others less ill are treated at the outpatient department or by mobile clinic which visits fourteen villages on a monthly cycle. Nearly 2,000 new cases are identified and treated every year, with more than 80% of these patients being cured.
There is also a day centre for people with mental, speech and hearing impairment, who are helped to achieve their maximum independence.
Raphael is managed by a Council, and is staffed and managed entirely by local people. Volunteers from Australia and elsewhere provide additional support.
$126,000 is raised in Australia annually to pay for food, accommodation and medical care, for all for the residents of Raphael. The Indian Government now provides resources to sustain other aspects of the program including education, vocational training, and more recently the use of Raphael for training doctors and special teachers. Australia contributes approximately 3/4 of the total funds required for care and accommodation, and New Zealand approximately 1/4.
Photos
Click a photo to enlarge, then use
back button to return to this page
