Ruth Lewis

Ruth Lewis (died 20 July 2020)[2][3] was a Roman Catholic nun of the religious congregation for women, the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King, living and working in Karachi, Pakistan.

For the English social reformer and collector of Welsh folk songs, see Ruth Herbert Lewis.

Ruth Lewis
Born1946[1]
Died20 July 2020
NationalityPakistani
CitizenshipPakistani
OccupationReligious sister
Years active1969–2020
OrganizationFranciscan Missionaries of Christ the King
AwardsPride of Karachi Award 2014
Hakim Mohammed Said Award 2018
Sitara-i-Imtiaz 2020

Vocation

On 17 February 1969, she became along with Sr. Gertrude Lemmens and Sr. Margaret D’Costa, one of the first to join the staff of Darul Sukun, home for around 150 mentally and physically disabled people, mostly children and teenagers, founded by the sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King.[3][4]

Since 2000, she has been in charge of the Darul Sukun. Sister Lewis was assisted by a team of five other nuns. Some of the residents like Cookie Lewis were so attached to the nun that she adopted her surname.[5]

She depended on many people and institutions who helped her run a home of this size. She praised the people who come and supply groceries, clothes or whatever the sisters need for the institution. Volunteers from schools and other organisations also help feed the children and play with them. She was also assisted by volunteers from the Netherlands who stay to help for as much as three months. Without financial assistance from the Government, she relied on donations to run the institution.

She was particularly proud of four of the children who won medals in the Special Olympics held in the United States in 1998.[6]

Her role included welcoming visitors like American singer Mary McBride and Amanda Claudwell, the US press attaché in Karachi, who visited on October 30, 2011.[7]

She has been listed among the people in Imran Aslam's book on the men and women who shaped Karachi.[8]

Dedicated in the face of danger : 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 in Aga Khan Hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator. There, on 20th July 2020, the 77 years old Sr. Ruth breathed her last due to complications of the sickness.

The Sindh government paid all the hospitalization cost of Sr. Ruth and the team members of the Sindh government were working in the specialized quarantine ward set up in the premises of Dar-ul-Sukun. They have also provided a grant of Rs. 25 million to provide assistance and medicines to the 19 corona virus positive patients residing in the centre.

Making a wish

In January 2015, Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakistan granted the wish of Cookie Lewis from Darul Sukun, to be a teacher for a day. The President of Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Director of Education were also present with Sister Lewis at a ceremony held for the occasion.[9]

Recognition

On 18 January 2014, she received the Pride of Karachi Award which aimed to recognize and honor those individuals who have worked selflessly and passionately for the betterment of society.[3][10]

In 2018, she received the Hakim Mohammed Said Award for her work for humanity. The award was presented by Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair.[11]

Sister Ruth Lewis died due to complications from COVID-19 on July 20, 2020 in Karachi.[4]

On August 14, 2020, President Arif Alvi announced the posthumous grant of the civil award Sitara-i-Imtiaz to Lewis for her Public Service.[12]

References
  1. Global Sisters Report August 17, 2020
  2. "Dar-ul-Sukoon Sister Ruth Lewis passes away from coronavirus". Dawn. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  3. "Dar-ul-Sukoon founder Sister Ruth Lewis passes away from coronavirus | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
  4. "Darul Sukoon incharge Sister Ruth Lewis dies of coronavirus". Pakistan Today (newspaper). Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  5. "Catholic Center in Karachi Helps Empower, Give Skills To Disabled". ucanews.com. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  6. "Islamic Ramadan Donations Help Run Catholic Orphanage". ucanews.com.
  7. "Residents of Dar-ul-Sukun sing and dance with American singer". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 31 October 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  8. Danish Hassan (26 September 2014). "Karachi: A Parallel Narrative". The Friday Times (newspaper). Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  9. "Make A-Wish child appointed teacher for a day". www.thenews.com.pk.
  10. "Youtube 19 January 2014".
  11. "Sindh governor congratulates Hamdard Laboratories on re-branding their company | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  12. Dawn August 15, 2020
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