Sr. Ruth Lewis, fittingly called as the Mother Teresa of Pakistan, unbolted her heart and mind to the challenges of challenged children on the streets of Karachi. Neither Scarcities, nor inadequacies, or age, not even the pandemic could stop her caring for the children. She had no complains even when she was losing her personal battle with the Covid-19 virus; for she had courageously safeguarded her children from the jaws of the Corona virus. She cared and brought up her children (at times numbering over 300) with total human dignity. Four of her children won medals at the Special Olympics, held in the United States, in 1998. Karachi will always remember this angel’s selfless service for the differently abled, socially displaced children and the elderly.
Meagre Beginnings
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Sr. Ruth Lewis was born on 2nd May, 1943. She made her Religious Profession there, as a Franciscan Missionary of Christ the King (FMCK), in 1965, after which she left for Karachi. As she moved around the streets of that city, she saw children on the streets, helpless and in need of care. She was overcome with mixed emotions. The work she would soon embrace unambiguously points to one emotion that remained constant in her life – compassion. She wanted to start an institution for taking care of the children on the streets, but had meagre means to do so. But God had plans for her. She met Sr. Gertrude Lemmens FMCK (a Dutch National) and their dreams & thinking matched. Yes. Great people do think alike! In February 1969, they set up an institution called Dar-ul-Sukun (Home of Peace), to accommodate children with special needs together with physically challenged children; and even adults – for compassion has no limitations! In October 2000, after the demise of Sr. Gertrude, Sr. Ruth Lewis assumed full charge of Dar-ul-Sukun and carried forward her humanitarian mission. Since then, she has been the administrator of this well-known centre, which caters from 200 to 300 inmates. She did everything to manifest her ultimate love for her Master, Christ!
A True Woman of the 21st Century
It takes a clear mind, a steady spirit and a brave soul to embrace the kind of challenges Sr. Ruth took up. She never believed in individuals leading inferior lives. She saw no human being as a menial and was quick to set right lowly attitudes towards any human beings. She did it through her life and work. Just as a mother loves her children, so did Sr. Ruth love the inmates. She often encouraged them to take the lead in sports & art activities. She was particularly proud of four of those children who won medals at the Special Olympics held in the United States, in 1998.
Sr. Ruth was a great pioneer and initiator. After co-pioneering Dar-ul-Sukun, she established many more centres, viz., a Home for Socially Displaced Boys (Quetta, 2007); a Home for Socially Displaced Girls (Muslimabad, Karachi, 2010), a Centre for the Elderly (Karachi, 2015); a Modern Rehabilitation Complex (Rashidabad, early 2020), as well as a new extension of the existing Dar-ul-Sukun Home.
Her great mission was noticed, acknowledged and awarded! She was bestowed with the…
1) Pride of Karachi Award (18th January 2014): For her charitable, selfless and passionate service to ‘Special Children’.
2) Hakim Mohammed Sayed Award (2018): From the Governor of Sindh, for her exquisite services to the abandoned humanity.
3) Less than a week after her death, the Pakistani Government posthumously awarded Sr. Ruth with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Civil Award), for being one of the best-known figures in national civil society in the Sindh.
Sr. Ruth was truly the Mother of the forgotten ones. She will always be remembered for her unparalleled contribution to humanity, and service to the inmates of Dar-ul-Sukun, for 51 long years.
A Life That Made Karachiites Believe in Angels!
Modernity constantly looks for proofs and evidences. Though they were believers in God, Karachiites, in their eventful and busy life they had seldom seen Him or His messengers. This sister in a white sari, with crimson red borders, made them see and believe in realities that they had hitherto only heard of so far. She took the road less travelled, by average humans, and made a difference in the world. She took nothing, but gave everything; 51 years of life caring for children with disabilities in the port city of Karachi; and finally she even gave her very life for the same. They needed no further proof, they spontaneously called her, the Angel of Pakistan.
The Greater End
Sr. Ruth showed the same dedication and care for the 150 people hosted by Dar-ul-Sukun, when the novel Corona virus breached its doors. At least 21 children were tested positive for Covid-19, but Sr. Ruth strove on. She contracted the disease herself, and on 8th July was admitted to the Aga Khan Hospital, where she required ventilator support to stay alive. There, on 20th July 2020, the 77-year-old Sr. Ruth Lewis breathed her last.
The Sindh Government was well aware of her contributions, and the great vacuum she had left behind. People from all walks of life expressed deep grief on her demise:
1) Many famous television channels in Pakistan, India and the Vatican flashed the shocking news of her death, calling it “a tragic loss”; praising her for her remarkable service.
2) Imran Ismael, Governor of Sindh Province, described Sr. Ruth as a “True inspiration”, adding that Karachi would always remember her selfless service for the differently abled & socially displaced children and the elderly.
3) Syed Murad Ali Shah, Prime Minister of Sindh Province, also expressed his sorrow and condolences on the occasion, saying, “She rendered extraordinary services for children in need of special care in the Sindh province.”
4) “Pakistan has lost a great asset,” expressed Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, daughter of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former President Asif Ali Zardari.
The government did not stop with words, but paid all the hospitalization costs of Sr. Ruth. The team members of the Sindh Government stepped in, working in the specialized quarantine ward set up in the premises of Dar-ul-Sukun. The government also provided a grant of Rs. 25 million to provide assistance and medicines to the patients of Covid-19 residing at the Centre. Now we know why Sr. Ruth was fondly called… Mother of the Forgotten, Mama, Angel of Pakistan, Loving Mother, Devoted Soul and more!
The FMCK Congregation can only be grateful to God for giving it so great a soul to carry out His mission on earth. I pay my sincere and rich tributes to her service and ask the good Lord to reward her bountifully in heaven. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.∎
Sr. Fatima Rodrigues FMCK is the Superior General of the Congregation of Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King.
