Published on: January 29, 2014

Towards the end of December 2013, we were getting ready to open our new inpatient facility housed in Arumana Hospital, Trivandrum – and then came the whirlwind, Gilly Burn, our long-time friend.

The walls had looked okay to us – they were of a dull yellow color, quite clean. But Gilly did not consider it okay. Too sad, she said. She went herself to the paint shop, bought and mixed paint, and started painting. Led by Professor Jo Eland, 12 students from Iowa University volunteered and started painting the furniture. And what an amazing transformation! The place looks so cheerful now. Thank you, Gilly.

The new inpatient facility had a soft launch on 3 January, 2014. Following the traditional custom in India, a lamp with seven wicks was lit, the first one by Gilly, the second by Jo Eland, the third by another great friend and benefactor, Dr Philomina Thuruthumaly from Arkansas, USA, and others.

I am glad to report that the inpatient unit is functioning well and giving relief to people with difficult symptoms and for those who want to be with us at the end of their lives.

Some pleasant surprises came with the opening function. Our volunteer Ms Litty Samuel gave us a handsome donation in memory her departed husband. Col Anand who runs Arumana Hospital, Mrs Anand and Dr Maya Gopinath, all of the same hospital gave us substantial donations too and made us confident about raising the money for running the place..

Thank you, dear friends.