Brushing up on pigs
01.08.2008
The sow arrived on the back of a bike, tightly bound with ropes. She was covered in dried black mud and shrieking with rage. The poor animal gave vent to her anger when she was released; it took weeks for the marks of the rope to fade.
“She looks old to me,” I said to the man who brought her, as I looked dubiously at the poor animal. “How many litters has she had? Are you sure she will be able to have more piglets?” “Of course, of course,” he insisted. “She is a good mother.” But I had my doubts as I watched the poor old pig snuffling in the grass.
The two men who looked after the pigs fed her with the trunks of the banana plant and some feed we had bought. “She’ll be all right,” they nodded sagely, though I guessed they knew as little about pigs as I did. Still, the sow was a sign of hope, a venture into the unknown. I would have to learn as we went on.
Start at the beginning
It all began when I saw that people with AIDS had a great need for a place of shelter. If we could house them while they struggled with the pain and effects of the virus, give them some retro-viral drugs, feed them nourishing food, then, maybe, they would have some chance. We were uncovering such stories of misery during our rounds of the villages that it was enough to break one’s heart.
The Kachin nurses and I do our best to help each person we encounter, and involve their family in the care and treatment of the family member. Some of course, have been disowned by their families; some have no family - all having died of AIDS, and others have given up hope. The great, unrelieved poverty of the people exacerbates their condition and without help they will certainly die.
So we do the basics, teaching them about nourishing food, hygiene and care. We are able to give some the anti-retroviral medication; for others it is too late. With no one to care for them, they are left to die.
“O, to have a little house!”
Thanks to generous people, we were able to get a house for the AIDS patients. It can sleep eight and they have a little garden. The average length of stay will be about eight months, though some will need more time. Some parish women take turns cooking and in time we hope the people themselves will do this.
This is where the pigs come in.
My dream was - get some pigs, fatten them and sell them on. The money would help with the upkeep of the house and the sick. Two men with AIDS would look after the pigs in exchange for some food and a place to live. The men are young, not strong but willing to help. So far the pigs are thriving. Even the old sow is doing well.
We have hope
Things are still in early stages but we have hope. Some of the parishioners help out. We need people to come and talk to the sick, to make them feel treasured, to rescue them from that worst of all conditions- no one on this earth wants you.
So now I am trying to brush up on pigs - how many litters can I expect? Should I get another sow? How can I get more food for them? When should I sell them on?
With the old sow finding her way, I am already hoping to get another house to help people to help themselves.
We know and believe the Lord is in it all. It is he who gives us the drive and energy to help these ‘least of the brethren,’ He moves the hearts of others, including yours, to reach out in love.
Sr Mary Dillon is a Columban Sister in Myanmar.
