Leper Colony, Loilem Myanmar

Leper Colony, Loilem Myanmar

There are two priests and three sisters taking charge in Leper Colony. Fr. Victor is superintendent for Colony and Fr. Albert is working as an assistant priest. Sister Catherine is working as superior of their congregation and taking care of the people in Colony especially for health. Sr. Natalina takes the responsibility of the health of the leprosy patients. Sr. Regina is taking care of the children for their education and look after the needs of the Church.

There are three quarters for the families’ line and most of the people are working as farmers. All together, there are 90 families. Some stay in Colony and some went to Thailand for a job. Many young people go and work in opium fields because they get more money from there.

The patients are taking care by Colony. There are above eighty men and women leprosy patients. Most of them are Shan and some are Palong, Paooh, Lahu,Burmese, Leesu, Indian and Danuh. Every morning those who can work come together in front of the Clergy house and some go to get oleo-resin from pine tree in the forest nearby Colony. Some go to work in the garden and they work from 8 am to 11 am. Those who cannot work go and pray one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening for the benefactors.

As Sr. Lina taking charge of the clinic, she gives the medicine to the patients at 11 o’clock everyday. Sometimes, a doctor from Loilem comes for treatment for the leprosy patients. There are also some local donors from Namsam, Pinlon and Loilem to donate some foods and clothing to the patients.

Two students sat for matriculation and both of them pass this year. There are thirty students in secondary level in this academic year. All of them are sent by one piston engine ferry.

There are three concerts in a year, Christmas, Easter and parents’ day. Though they are far away, they came back to participate in these occasions.

The priest offers daily Mass in the Church and used to go to the handicapped once a month for confession and communion. Sometimes in danger of death the priest goes to the patient to give the last Sacrament and anointing. Sr. Catherine and a group of ladies used to go to the families for the moral awareness and social teaching once a week.

We got subsidies from ILEP-AIFO and St. Francis Guild yet it is not so sufficient for foods and medicines. There are some difficulties for the education of the Leprosy patients’ children because we did not get separate expenses for the education of the children. The parents are not able to spend the expenses for their children’s education.

So, we thank you, ILEP-AIFO for the subsidies to our Colony, Loilem and we hope to get some help from you in the future.