The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that Leprosy, a disease already mentioned in Biblical texts more than 2000 years ago, is on the brink of elimination! Today there are only four countries in the world where the prevalence of leprosy exceeds one case per 10000 inhabitants, compared to 122 countries in 1985. Globally, the progress has been tremendous, but the battle is still on in countries like China. 
Together with the numerous voluntary organizations, the services rendered by the Church in this regard is tremendous. Usually, Leprosy is considered to be more than just an infectious disease. It was regarded to be a malady of the whole body as well as a disease of the soul, with disastrous consequences for those who became infected. It was a shameful affliction, believed to be brought about by wrongdoing in a previous life, through a curse of God or witchcraft – in short, a punishment. Sufferers were ashamed of their condition and tried to hide the disease for fear of social repercussions.
During the third week of August, Together with Fr. Tom Peyton, MM, a veteran Maryknoll Missionary, we have visited a small centre for the Leprosy affected in Guangzhou Province.The Centre is supported by the Diocese. We reached there with the Local Bishop. But what awaited us at this centre was something special.
Fr. Tom did not forget to buy some small gifts for all the inmates as we set out for the Centre, some 35 kms away from Meizhou. As the van carrying us reached the courtyard of the Centre, to our surprise, we were greeted by a group of teenagers. As we began to unload the "gifts", these teenagers came up to the van and volunteered to assist us. The living conditions of the inmates were minimum. We witnessed many of the already disfigured faces of the inmates beaming with joy to see us and of course to receive the small gifts Fr. Tom brought for them. 
We were curious to know what these teenage boys and girls were doing here at the centre for the Leprosy affected. They were all University Students from different parts of the neighbouring town. They had volunteered to spend a couple of weeks with the less privileged of their brethren all on their own! Initially I was of the impression that participating in some social work projects must be part of their curriculum in the University. But, it was not so. 
They had decided on their own, to have a hand-on experience of the plight of the Leprosy affected and more importantly to bring in some amount of joy and consolation into the lives of the inmates here. They share the same living conditions there - they sleep on the floor and eat the food served in the Centre! 15 of them had already stayed one week and they had one more week of stay before they would return to their homes. 
Fr. Tom was interested to know if they required some cash for their expenses - which they refused! They said, they are staying with a budget of 100 Yuan per head per week- i.e. approximately US $ 15 per week. We spent a couple of hours at the Centre with the inmates and the students and returned to the comforts of our Hotel Rooms in the City, a few questions still lingering in my mind.
They had decided on their own, to have a hand-on experience of the plight of the Leprosy affected and more importantly to bring in some amount of joy and consolation into the lives of the inmates here. They share the same living conditions there - they sleep on the floor and eat the food served in the Centre! 15 of them had already stayed one week and they had one more week of stay before they would return to their homes. 
Fr. Tom was interested to know if they required some cash for their expenses - which they refused! They said, they are staying with a budget of 100 Yuan per head per week- i.e. approximately US $ 15 per week. We spent a couple of hours at the Centre with the inmates and the students and returned to the comforts of our Hotel Rooms in the City, a few questions still lingering in my mind.
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