Sunday Times 2
World Leprosy Day 2018: No one has ever become poor by giving
View(s):Leprosy is a disease of poverty and is a slow-spreading airborne communicable disease, caused by a pathogenic bacterium that infects the peripheral nerves. The World Leprosy Day was observed on the last Sunday of January every year to increase awareness about leprosy.
Fr. Glen Fernando together with volunteers in conversation with leprosy patients
The stigma surrounding leprosy has seen many families robbed of their livelihood, education and marriage prospects with their hopes and dreams of a normal life shattered.People affected by leprosy are marginalised in society and even denied basic human rights.
Globally, there are more than three million people living with irreversible disabilities, including blindness, as a result of the late treatment of leprosy and in Sri Lanka almost 2,000 new cases have been reported every year.
The disease is completely curable with MDT treatment, which is freely available in all government skin clinics in Sri Lanka, but sadly most people with leprosy avoid taking treatment due to ignorance and the stigma attached to the disease.
The Society for the Upliftment and Rehabilitation of Leprosy Affected Persons (SUROL) located at 354/14, Elvitigala Mawathe, Narahenpita, concentrates on supporting disabled leprosy affected persons with a monthly stipend towards their welfare and with assistance for any rehabilitation. Presently SUROL supports about 300+ disabled adults and children affected by leprosy but are unable to increase their support base due to lack of funds and resources. Since there are more than 4,500 leprosy patients in Sri Lanka, SUROL hopes to take on 50 more every year.
SUROL also gifts two hampers a year to each of these families affected by leprosy during Christmas and the Sinhala/Tamil New Year. In addition SUROL has been able to assist in the repairs to houses and provide those in remote areas with basic needs like water for drinking and bathing. Children of families affected by leprosy have been given schoolbooks, uniforms, shoes and other essentials required towards their education.
SUROL has no funds of its own, but depends solely on the largesse of benefactors in Sri Lanka and a few generous donors from overseas to carry out this merciful mission. If you wish to make a one-off donation or a monthly contribution towards an affected family, you could visit the web site https://surolsrilanka.org/ or email surol1971@gmail.com for more details.
SUROL draws inspiration for its mission in Sri Lanka from Saint Damien of Molokai who was known as the Martyr of Charity and Apostle to the Lepers, who showed the world how human compassion could soften the ravages of this disease and of course the selfless work dedicated to leprosy patients carried out by the late Rev Fr. Glen Fernando for almost 16 years at SUROL.