The following is a list of games and service ideas to help you spark your creativity! Depending on the size of your group, you may want to spend the 12 hours fundraising and then close with a celebration event. Or, you can spend some of the 12 hours completing fun challenges with the team! There is a corresponding story for each game. Please share these stories with the group to help them understand the many different faces of leprosy.
Modeste - A Story of Courage
Modeste lives with his six year old son on a small island in the DR Congo. He has lived with leprosy for many, many years. The toll it has taken on his body is shocking. His wife took their other children and deserted him. She was afraid that the curse would spread to her daughters. For many people, the lack of education surrounding leprosy breeds fear and discrimination. It is not uncommon for those with leprosy to be left alone - rejected by their family and community.
His son does what he can to help, but he is only a small child. He does not understand why his mother left or why his father is so sick.
Leprosy has crippled Modeste to the point where he can no longer walk. His ankles and feet cannot hold the weight of his body. He has no choice but to travel around on his knees. Modeste's hands have only stumps for fingers and his face shows the ravages of leprosy. So many others in his position would have given up hope many years ago.
But not Modeste, he has never given up his independence.
GAME:
Get up an obstacle course using various objects and tasks. The participants must complete the course while walking only on their knees. The fastest time wins!
*If your event is held on a hard gymnasium floor, please use gardening-type knee pads.
Mr. Karungan - Prosperity & Joy
Each evening a familiar scene unfolds in a small rural village in Tamil Nadu. Along a dusty street, crowded with villagers returning home from a day in the fields, a strange procession wends its way. Seated on an old wooden tricycle, a wiry, grey haired man makes slow progress on the bumpy track, followed by a straggly, easily-distracted herd of goats.
Mr. Karungan knows each of his goats by name. And each of his goats knows his voice.
Along the narrow village street, Mr. Karungan continues to herd his goats from their grazing area until they reach their stall, which adjoins his tiny brick cottage. Neighbours look on curiously as Mr. Karungan manoeuvres his rickety tricycle along the narrow street, constantly looking back to ensure his goats are following.
When Mr. Karungan was just 20 years old, his left big toe became infected with an ulcer. He went to a doctor for treatment, but he could not cure the infection. After many years, he came to Dayapuram Leprosy Mission hospital and received a proper diagnosis. Sadly, the infection has progressed so severely that they had no choice but to amputate Mr. Karungan's leg.
Today, he is supporting his wife and daughter by selling goats and their milk. He is proud of his achievements despite such devastating disabilities.
GAME:
Using a tricycle, each participant needs to corral 5 basketballs into a designated corner. The person who can complete the task the fastest wins!
Carmen - On the Frontlines of Care
Carmen has dedicated her life to educating national healthcare workers and Mozambican communities about the symptoms and treatment of leprosy. Her visits provide support and encouragement for those who are often rejected by their families and villages.
Carmen is just one of our many volunteers and healthcare workers who are working every day on the frontlines of care. This team continues to follow-up on treatment and assess the current needs of patients who come to the Leprosy Mission for help.
GAME:
Each participant will be timed as they complete tasks at three separate stations. The stations are as follows:
Maze - Men and women often travel great distances to seek out the medical attention they need. Using the maze found on the Downloads page of this web site, each Cured not Cursed participant will have to get a patient through the maze to the hospital as quickly as possible.
Blocks - The Leprosy Mission helps each patient rebuild their lives and return to their families as they recover from leprosy. At the second station, use "lego" pieces or "mega-block" pieces and have the participant build a person using the pattern on the Downloads page of this web site. When they have finished, they can run to the last station.
Bandages - Patients recovering from leprosy are taught to soak and bandage their feet to heal any ulcers that have formed because the feet were injured. As quickly as possible, each participant will need to use bandages (or strips of cloth) to wrap up a partner's feet. Once they have neatly bandaged the feet - they've finished all three stations!
Once all three stations have been completed, each participant should cross a finish line. Record their times - the fastest participant wins!
Service Ideas:
The following ideas give your group a chance to support your community in exchange for donations to help those with leprosy. It’s a giving opportunity that comes full circle!
- Volunteer to complete odd jobs for members of your community or church. (i.e. raking leaves, painting a room or fence, washing their car.)
- Clean up a park or public recreation area.
- Hold a spaghetti supper for the parents of your group.
