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March 20, 2019

Nuns provide hope and healing to lepers in Myanmar

There are nearly 100 long-term residents being looked after a Naung Kan leper colony in Myanmar’s Shan State.

There the Sisters of Charity nuns who provide them with food, shelter and medical support.

Naung Kan is a haven for leprosy sufferers who have been forced to leave their mountain villages due to discrimination.

About 600 people including children reside in the colony. Some children have no disease but live with their parents.

Most patients are Catholic, but others are Buddhist and animists who are ethnic Shan, Lahu, Akha, Palaung, Wa and Chinese.

Sisters of Charity arrived in Myanmar in 1923 and now has 196 nuns serving in six dioceses.

Their mission includes a home for the handicapped and disabled, a home for the elderly, leper colonies, boarding schools and orphanages.

Leprosy is also known as Hansen's Disease.

Photos by ucanews.com reporter. 

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UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia