HENDALA Leprosy Centre, WATTALA 

Hendala Leprosy Hospital was built in 1708, and at one time, it housed 900 patients. It is one of the oldest leprosy hospitals in South Asia. Hendala was taken over by the Government in 1964, but the Missionary Sisters insisted on seeing the patients there and refused to abandon them.

​The Sisters hold monthly clinics for both in- and outpatients, and provide medicines and support to patients and their families in faraway villages. SFLG has been funding Hendala for over 70 years. 

Chandrapala 
​(57, lives at Hendala)

Chandrapala and his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandson

When Chandrapala was just 15 years old, he worked in a small shop and regularly visited his older sister in Hendala. Unfortunately, he contracted leprosy from his sister and developed numbness and skin patches on his body. Chandrapala was frightened, having seen leprosy patients and their suffering at the hospital. His parents had also died when he was small, so he did not have anyone to support him. However, the Sisters at Hendala took care of his treatment and medicines, and still look after him to this day.

Chandrapala married a fellow patient when he was 19, and they now have a son. Both he and his wife are still provided with food, spectacles, hearing aids, and the medicines that they need. Although now cured, they continue to rely on the support of The Sisters from Hendala and can now focus on their baby grandson and building a small house for themselves to live in. 

He said: Without the support of this centre I would not be able to meet my daily needs. I’m grateful to all of them and those who are taking interest in us. We keep our trust and confidence in them. What I would like the world to know about leprosy is that now there is nothing to be fear of if you can begin to take treatment from the hospital. They should begin to take medicine as soon as possible and to be faithful to the advice of the doctors.

Liza (71, lives with her son)

At just 26 years old, Liza developed a strange patch of skin on her face and numbness in her fingers. A doctor sent her to the leprosy clinic of the general hospital, from where she was referred to Hendala.

Liza reflects on how terrified she felt at such a young age when she saw the disfigured patients there, and how concerned she became about her future. She stayed there for the next three years, was given the necessary treatment, and her leprosy was cured.

On leaving Hendala, Liza married and had children. Sadly, her husband subsequently passed away, but as her children have since married, Liza now lives with her son and his family.

Liza explains: Without the support of this centre, I would not be able to meet my day-to-day needs. When I was left alone without my husband, I had no hope, but the Sisters were there to nourish us physically and spiritually. The centre helped us build a house, and we are currently living in it. The Sisters have also helped with their children’s education, securing a better future for them.  ​

Liza with her daughter-in-law and grandson

She said: What I would like the world to know about leprosy is that do not to get frightened because we have medicine (no deformities because of the new medicine and exercises.)

Dayasilee (57, at home ​in Wallala)

Dayasilee with her family

She said: What I would like the world to know about leprosy is that now there is nothing to be fear of the sickness. Please visit a doctor and get the treatment.” 

​​At the age of 24, Dayasilee had finished her studies and returned home. She developed swelling in her right hand and leg, accompanied by a loss of sensation. After seeing several doctors, a biopsy confirmed that Dayasilee had leprosy and that her bones were already beginning to decay. Sadly, her legs could not be saved, and following their amputation below the knee, she was admitted to Hendala. She was very distressed about the loss of her legs, and also frightened as she and her family knew so little of the disease. But she undertook treatment and her leprosy was cured.

In 2001, Dayasilee got married and now has a son and a daughter. At their monthly visits, the Sisters provided medicine, dressings, nutritious supplements, dry rations, glasses, and anything that was needed. They also supported them with house repairs and gave a monthly allowance for their children’s education.

As Dayasilee's husband has cancer, he cannot support the family. She says that without Hendala, "I would not be able to survive. Our family depends on what the centre gives. Two children’s education and our entire livelihood depend on the nuns who support us.”

Dayasilee’s focus is now on supporting her children through their education and continuing with their exams.