Service Civil International
Hatibari long term project 1961-1966
by Philipp Rodriguez (Apr 6, 2008)
Hatibari leprosy colony was in the 1960s a home for about 250 leprosy patients from Orissa which got medical care and social assistance.
In 1961 two SCI volunteers went to Hatibari for a survey about possible volunteer activities. In the following years long term volunteers carried various projects to improve the medical, economical and social situation in the colony:
- reclaiming land for cultivation
- build up and improving workshops like shoe making
- introducing and improving therapy
- teaching in local village nearby Hatibari
From 1961 till 1966 the assistance given by the volunteers catalysed improvements in cooperation with the staff in the colony with new concepts and by lessening the common stigma in the surrounding villages.
Upon a request on SCI long term project in Hatibari (India) a 64 page strong documentation was compiled. It contains photos and 16 documents from SCI Archives.