Cart TotalUpdate
From Crying in Shame to Tears of Gratitude
Leprosy cases are now on the rise again in Timor Leste. One of them is Nila. Thank you to NZ supporters for expanding your love to Nila in Timor Leste!
Leprosy cases are now on the rise again in Timor Leste. One of them is Nila. When she learned she had leprosy, the shock was so great, that tears of shame flooded down her face.
My mind was blocked,” she mourns. “I lost my thoughts. I felt very sad and ashamed. I felt self-stigma and kept myself away from others.”
In Timor Leste, a significant number of infants and children have tragically lost their lives due to extreme poverty, illness, and inadequate nutrition. In Nila’s family, two children died very young.
Her father suffers greatly from life-limiting lung problems. He works far harder than he should, but the cost of the medical treatment he needs is far beyond his dream.
That is why Nila’s dream is to become a doctor, specialising in lungs and breathing. A beautiful dream for a young girl with hopes for the future.
When leprosy came for Nila, all she could see was darkness. Yet we stand on these words about Jesus: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Thanks to kind supporters in New Zealand, Nila was able to visit the bare but busy office of PHACE near her home.
Doctor Cela was there and recognised the markings on Nila’s face straight away.
Dr. Cela had to tell Nila a hard truth. She had leprosy. Nila was shocked into a mental health crisis. “I felt ashamed to show myself in front of others. I could not go to school,” she grieved.
Thankfully, Nila started her year-long course of leprosy medication. The damage on Nila’s face disappeared!
Jestine (TLMNZ Programme Manage) with Nila & Dr Cela
Because of your PHACE programme, leprosy did not have time to destroy Nila’s life, education or her dreams for the future.
Within 48 hours of starting the tablets, Nila was no longer contagious. Her tears of shame became tears of gratitude, as she thanked Dr. Cela for everything New Zealand supporters have done for her.
