December was a very busy month for me  with family and friends coming from all over the world to visit. But Dr. Prakash Amte who came to tea along with his wife was a visitor from a world far removed from mine.

Deep in the jungles of Ghadchiroli, Dr. Amte is carrying on the legacy of his father Dr. Baba Amte. But while Dr. Amte Senior dedicated his life to the upliftment of lepers, the son and his wife Dr. Mandakini spent their lives enriching the  lives of the Madia-Gond tribesmen with improved health care and access to basic education. The bonus however, was the care the two provided to the injured animals in the neighbourhood.

Read all about this remarkable family here 

What I admire about this Magsaysay awardee is the fact that both he and his wife raised their children to follow in their footsteps. Bringing up children in the wild with an education that equipped them to re-join mainstream urban life is indeed a challenge.

The hospital that they have established is run on the lines most urban hospitals don’t always follow. And what is more creditable is that the children have chosen to continue their parents’ good work and take their mission forward.

The world needs more people like the Amtes doesn’t it? 

I’m participating in We are the World Blogfest where bloggers share positive acts of humanity in life, in the news, or social media on the last FRIDAY of each month.

Thanks to our hosts for the month Damyanti Biswas, Shilpa Garg, Guillie Castillo, Eric Lahti , Simon Falk and Lynn Hallbrooks.