Badulla Leprosy Centre, badulla, sri lanka

Badulla Leprosy Centre has existed since 2013 but the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary sisters have been caring for people with leprosy for far longer. SFLG's support means that FMM's ministry plays a major role in treating and supporting leprosy patients at the leprosy hospital and further afield. 
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The Society for the Upliftment and Rehabilitation Of Leprosy Affected persons (SUROL) was established in 1971. Their remit is to reach out to those affected by leprosy and help them rebuild their lives. SUROL works alongside the FMM sisters. .

Aluth (aged 49, lives at home)

​​Aluth was just 17 years old when she developed wounds on her toes. She eventually had her big toe amputated and was diagnosed with leprosy. She said she felt every frightened as she knew how contagious leprosy was, and was concerned for those she was living with.

Aluth told no one outside of the family about her diagnosis, for fear of discrimination. Tragically, her leg was amputated during treatment, but she was cured of leprosy. 

Aluth with her husband and daughter

The FMM sisters at Badulla have provided medicine, food, house building, poultry for income generation, and their daughter’s education.

Aluth says of their support: “I together with my husband and children feel that we are not alone. Without the support of this centre, I would have faced more difficulties. There would not have been anyone to understand us and support us. The Rev. Sisters have supported us in many ways. We have experienced their love and concern throughout. Our Sister said that it is your organisation (SFLG) that provides financial help to help us. I thank you for all the support you give us.” 

Aluth now wishes to finish their home and live happily with their daughter. 

Leprosy is a disease that can be cured. According to doctor’s advice you have to continue the treatment without interruption. Then it will be cured and you will not transmit the disease to anyone. You can live in the society without any fear.

Shivalingam (aged 40, lives at home)

​Shivalingam was just a normal 12-year-old school girl, when she developed cracks and wounds in her toes. After a year of medical treatment, when there was no improvement in the wounds, she was referred to a doctor at Badulla Hospital, who diagnosed leprosy.

She said it made her and her parents very sad. “I feared that I would lose my legs and my dreams would be shattered. During my treatment my family members believed that someone had done a charm to our family.”

During Shivalingam’s treatment, her parents and the FMM sisters visited regularly. They took her to several places to cure her wounds, including to India for three months. Sadly she developed deep wounds in her feet, and eventually had her legs amputated. Badulla provided her with artificial legs.

The FMM sisters will continue to support Shivalingam throughout her life, with medicine, food and emotional support when she lost her father and brother. Since then, her mother, who is herself sick, has been helping her. They give her and her mother daily expenses, and helped her start a very small boutique in her house. They made a concrete path from the house to the road and built a bathroom inside the house with running water.

​Shivalingam says “Without the support of this centre, I would have found it difficult to manage my basic needs. Without my both legs, I am totally depending on the help you give me. Because of the love and concern of the Sisters we feel that we are not alone.”
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Shivalingham and her mother

Leprosy is now it is curable. If someone gets this sickness he or she must go to a doctor and take the course of medicine faithfully. Now the medicine is available for this sickness.

Disanayaka (aged 56, lives at home)

Disanayaka with his wife and children

​When Disanayaka was 28 years old, he was working as a farmer. He came from a large, poor family, and he needed to maintain a daily salary to help support them.

He developed some painless white patches on his hands, and subsequently, swelling in his toes. A doctor at Bedulla Hospital diagnosed him with leprosy, and prescribed him regular medication.

Disanayaka recalls being frightened of becoming deformed and also of the hatred of others, so he did not reveal his condition to people outside of the family.

As well as medical care and food, the FMM sisters have provided farming instruments, manure, seeds, insecticides, and pipes for his farming. They have also helped with plastering his house and cementing the floor, and supported the education of his children.

 “Without the support of this centre, my family and I would have been in a pitiful situation. I would not have been able to educate my children…we would have gone hungry…. without the help of the sisters for medicine I would not have been able to work hard in the field to earn my daily bread. I am really grateful to SFLG for helping us through the sisters”.

The Sisters visit regularly to provide support, love and advice to Disanayaka and his family. ​

Leprosy is a dreaded disease, but we have no reason to fear if we take the course of medicine faithfully. Then we can live a normal life like others in the society.  ​