sister lalitha's story
Sister Lalitha Fernando
The ancient city of Badulla, in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka, is home to a leprosy centre supported by the Order of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Badulla landscape by kind permission of A.Savin
Sister Lalitha Fernando is a Catholic nun who works in this community.
Sister Lalitha Fernando
She was born 61 years ago in Sri Lanka. When she was only 21, she felt called by “a voice from within” to become a nun. She was drawn to the contemplative yet active nature of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and to the service of the “the downtrodden.” On learning that St Francis loved people with leprosy, her decision to join this Order of Sisters was made.
Although her days are filled with prayer, her work often takes her to remote locations in the interior of Sri Lanka where people affected by leprosy live lives of subsistence and poverty. She visits around 22 people every month journeying by car, bus, or auto rickshaw often travelling on rough roads for hours on end. She visits people with leprosy as their friend, so their neighbours don’t suspect a link to leprosy, and the stigma and rejection, so often associated with this disease, can be avoided.
Although her days are filled with prayer, her work often takes her to remote locations in the interior of Sri Lanka where people affected by leprosy live lives of subsistence and poverty. She visits around 22 people every month journeying by car, bus, or auto rickshaw often travelling on rough roads for hours on end. She visits people with leprosy as their friend, so their neighbours don’t suspect a link to leprosy, and the stigma and rejection, so often associated with this disease, can be avoided.
Sister Lalitha visiting a friend who has a suspected leprosy ulcer
Sister Lalitha is aware that people with leprosy suffer from weakened immune systems and are susceptible to disease and injury and especially, to developing leprosy ulcers. She takes medication on her visits as well as provisions, such as milk powder and nutritional supplements to top up their daily rations.
People with leprosy live in considerable hardship, even if their community is unaware that they are affected by leprosy. They are grateful for anything she can give them. But Sr Lalitha, gives something more valuable than provisions. People with leprosy can share their situation with her in confidence. In her, they find someone who will listen and care.
People with leprosy live in considerable hardship, even if their community is unaware that they are affected by leprosy. They are grateful for anything she can give them. But Sr Lalitha, gives something more valuable than provisions. People with leprosy can share their situation with her in confidence. In her, they find someone who will listen and care.
“I visit a 40-year-old woman, whose legs are amputated due to leprosy and who is cared for by her 60-year-old mother. I take them provisions and nutritional supplements. When I first met them, their house was dilapidated, and the roof was falling in. Thanks to the generous support of St Francis Leprosy Guild, we have since replaced the ceiling, provided running water and a toilet.”
Sister Lalitha visiting Shivalingam, whose legs have been amputated due to leprosy. Her hands are clawed due to leprosy also.
“I visit a farmer who grows rice. Whenever the rain fails, there will be no rice crop, and the farmer will suffer for a whole year. He might have to work as a labourer to try and make ends meet. We managed to get him a fishing licence, so he is allowed to fish now. Otherwise, it’s very difficult for him to survive.”
“I am very grateful that through SFLG I can provide some support for people with leprosy otherwise they would be left on their own to perish. Everyone I visit is very grateful for everything that I can bring, such as medication or provisions. It’s almost impossible for them to survive without support. No matter how long my journey or how tired I feel, I love doing the work of St Francis.”
Our respect, appreciation and thanks go to the following Catholic Orders:
• Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, Holy Family Hansenorium, India.
• Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, LCU Pushpa Hospital, India.
• Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Poorna Sukha Leprosy Project, India.
• Congregation of Samaritan Sisters, Dhori Mata Samaritan Seva Kendra, India.
• Sisters of St Joseph Cluny, St Rock’s Hospital, India.
• Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, St Catald Dermatological Centre, India.
• Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, St Joseph’s Leprosy Hospital, India.
• Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, Sacred Heart Leprosy Centre, India
• Missionary Sisters of St Theresa Of The Child Jesus, Ganta Rehabilitation Centre, Liberia.
• Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, St Theresa Orphanage and Leprosy Colony, Myanmar.
• Medical Missionaries of Mary, St Patricks Hospital, Mile Four Hospital, Nigeria.
• The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, Marian Home, Nigeria.
• Comboni Missionary Sisters, Ediofe Health Centre, Uganda.
• Little Sisters of St Francis of Assisi, St Francis Hospital, Buluba and Nyenga, Uganda
• Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Badulla Centre, Hendala Centre and Manthivu Centre, Sri Lanka.
• Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, Holy Family Hansenorium, India.
• Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, LCU Pushpa Hospital, India.
• Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Poorna Sukha Leprosy Project, India.
• Congregation of Samaritan Sisters, Dhori Mata Samaritan Seva Kendra, India.
• Sisters of St Joseph Cluny, St Rock’s Hospital, India.
• Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, St Catald Dermatological Centre, India.
• Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, St Joseph’s Leprosy Hospital, India.
• Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, Sacred Heart Leprosy Centre, India
• Missionary Sisters of St Theresa Of The Child Jesus, Ganta Rehabilitation Centre, Liberia.
• Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, St Theresa Orphanage and Leprosy Colony, Myanmar.
• Medical Missionaries of Mary, St Patricks Hospital, Mile Four Hospital, Nigeria.
• The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, Marian Home, Nigeria.
• Comboni Missionary Sisters, Ediofe Health Centre, Uganda.
• Little Sisters of St Francis of Assisi, St Francis Hospital, Buluba and Nyenga, Uganda
• Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Badulla Centre, Hendala Centre and Manthivu Centre, Sri Lanka.
