Pope John' s Garden (An ideal Home for the Leprosy Patients)
 On June 25th 1965, Fr. John Gibas blessed a building at Vyasarpadi - the centre to shelter the leprosy patients. On December 15, 1965 a land was purchased at Chinna Sakkadu village in Madhavaram, about 8 Kms from the centre. Ten leprosy Patients, symbolically carried a statue of Mary Help of All People to this land. It was called "Jesus friend of Lepers colony". Later to be known as "Pope John's Garden". The sisters of St. Charles Borromeo were invited in 1971 to manage Pope John's Garden. Until today they continue their generous collaboration.Presently there are 200 leprosy patients residing in this colony. It is an ideal Rehabilitation centre for the Hansenites. A team of religious sisters, Nurses, physiotherapists and counsellor attending on them, make their life happy, peaceful and meaningful.
The leprosy patients are engaged in occupational therapy, such as: in running poultry farm, piggery, shoe and candle making, cloth weaving, coir rope making and small handicrafts, these keep them occupied and a means to earn some income for themselves.
| ANAT (Arul Nirai Arokia Thottam) |
| ANAT Farm - an agricultural farm |
 On April 2nd 1971 a few acres of agricultural land was purchased in Manjambakkam, a village near Mathur, which is 12 kilometers away from the Centre. This land was bought to meet the requirements of the Centre and to occupy the leprosy patients usefully. The farm was initially looked after by a family, but now the sisters of Maria Auxilium take care. It is a leprosy patients' agricultural training and rehabilitation farm. Besides agriculture, activities such as cattle, sheep and rabbit rearing are also carried on. |
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