“My entire family was washed away in the recent floods in the state” says 70 years old and homeless Ashok in his feeble voice to IMCARES staff as he holds on tight to the layers of plastic sheet wrapped around his foot. The stink of decaying flesh eliminating out is almost unbearable. “Big stones fell on my right leg and crushed my toes” Ashok continues with much pain even as IMCARES staff begin to carefully remove the plastic sheets from his leg.

“I was rushed to a hospital by some people and a part of my toe was amputated. I was alone and had no money. So, I left my treatment incomplete and came to Mumbai in search of some hope, but eventually landed up on the street living as an orphan”, says Ashok as he writhes in pain and discomfort. By now IMCARES staff removes the last layer of bandage that is filled with stinking puss and a swarm of maggots flow out from the wound. They clean the wound of all the maggots and assure Ashok that he is no longer an orphan and that they care for him as a family member. With practical help in cleaning and dressing the wound, a hand on the shoulder and some tea and snack for refreshment IMCARES was able to bring a smile on Ashok’s face. They took him to the nearest hospital for further treatment and shelter and Ashok is now recovering.

There are innumerable people like Ashok on the streets of Mumbai, waiting for someone to come to their rescue. “We cannot just let maggots of fate and poverty feed on the very hope that these suffering people have. We need to go looking for them, find them, rescue them and give them a dignified life.” – Timothy Gaikwad

IMCARES goes looking for such people and on finding them they share the love of God in action until the person recovers and is reinstated into the society.