BANGALORE: Sister Jean, often called as the Mother Teresa of Bangalore, was honoured with the International Goodwill and Understanding Award by the Rotary Club of Bangalore Cantonment.
Jean, a British national, who has been working for the betterment of the leprosy patients in the Sumanahalli Society for 30 years in the city, was quite moved with the honour conferred on her. The British Deputy High Commissioner Ian Felton presented the award and the citation, mentioning that the whole of Great Britain was proud of her services.
“It takes individuals to make a difference and Sister Jean has done us all proud by her undying effort and services to leprosy patients,” said Ian Felton. Conferring the honour and applauding the efforts were Rotary President, Vasudeva Murthy, Secretary Jasbir Singh D and other Rotarians along with a group of sisters from Sumanahalli Society.
“I am indeed honoured to receive this award. Hopefully this will motivate others to come out and serve their fellow humans. The patients are my friends and since I have learnt Kannada, it has helped me interact with them better,” Sister Jean said after receiving the award.
Sister Jean came to Bangalore in 1982 and started working with leprosy patients in different slums of the city at Indrapuram, Sarjapura and Sheshadripuram. She then dedicated her life towards building the Sumanahalli Society.