Durjodhan
Durjodhan is currently living with his grandfather at Betal village while his father, mother and younger brother stay at Bhatigaon village. His mother and father were separated due to some family issues. This family belongs to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
In April 2016, Durjodhan noticed hypo pigment aesthetic patches on his left leg and lateral popliteal nerve tenderness. He thought it is a rheumatic disease and consulted a medical officer at District Head Quarter Hospital Nabarangpur, DPMR Clinic. There, LEPRA Field staff diagnosed with Pauci Bacillary Leprosy in 2016. After two months of treatment, he suffered from Type-I Reaction. The lateral popliteal nerve was paining more. He again contacted LEPRA staff and completed both steroid and Multi-Drug Therapy treatment and declared Released from Treatment (RFT) in 2017. After RFT, the project staff followed up time-to-time with valuable suggestions given to his family for Durjodhan’s education and settlement of the family dispute suggesting his father and mother stay at one place at his village Bhatigaon, but they disagreed.
Durjodhan completed his high school at Betal govt. SSD High School (Govt. Residential School) in 2012. After that, he continues his higher study at Nabarangpur College for 12th grade. At that time, he struggled a lot to deposit his fees at college. He stays at an Ashram (Swami Nigamnanda Gurukul Ashram) for accommodation and gets one free dinner. He also worked as a supervisor of a construction company and earned monthly around INR 5000. With that money, he has to solve his further education. Because of the construction supervisor work, he couldn’t attend the classes regularly. After 12th grade, he joined in Govt. Model Degree College at Hearliaguda studying and working part-time at an electrical shop and monthly getting INR 1500.
With his many family disturbances and financial problems, he thought to discontinue education, but he continues to study until today due to a strong mindset. In between, LEPRA field staff explained the Oracle Grant educational support scheme and supported the reimbursement. Durjodhan felt his dreams were coming true. He again submitted his academic bill amount to LEPRA – Oracle Project.
Durjodhan parents are entirely illiterate and don’t know about education’s importance, even though he will complete Graduation (BA). With the LEPRA staff’s guidance and financial support, he was diagnosed with leprosy at the right time and completed the full course of treatment and prevented further disability. He has requested to support the following year for a vocational computer course.
Durjodhan expressed his gratitude for supporting him and thanked Oracle and LEPRA.